(IMG:http://www.spaceflightnews.net/special/proton/astra-1m/index.jpg) BAIKONUR COSMODROME, Kazakhstan, Nov. 6, 2008 – A Proton Breeze M launch vehicle successfully lifted the ASTRA 1M satellite into orbit today, marking the fifth mission of the year for International Launch Services (ILS).
READ: ASTRA 1M MISSION BOOKALL-ACCESS SUBSCRIBERS: PROTON LIFTS OFF IN THE FOG WITH THE ASTRA 1M SATELLITEALL-ACCESS SUBSCRIBERS: HIGHLIGHTS OF THE PROTON ASTRA 1M LAUNCH CAMPAIGNALL-ACCESS SUBSCRIBERS: PROTON ASTRA 1M MISSION PROFILEALL-ACCESS SUBSCRIBERS: WATCH A REPLAY OF THE LAUNCH WEBCASTThe Proton vehicle lifted off from Pad 39 at the cosmodrome at 2:44 a.m. today local time (3:44 p.m. EST Wednesday, 20:44 GMT Wednesday). After a 9-hour-12-minute mission, the launcher released the satellite into a geosynchronous transfer orbit. The satellite will eventually go into operation at 19.2 degrees East longitude for SES ASTRA of Luxembourg.Proton is Russia’s premier heavy-launch vehicle, and is manufactured by Khrunichev Space Center of Moscow. Khrunichev is the majority owner of ILS.The ASTRA 1M mission is the third launch for ILS since mid-August. Although the satellites were for different customers, all three were built on the Eurostar 3000 bus by EADS Astrium of France. In addition to the ILS launches, there was one Russian federal mission on Proton during that time frame as well."SES is a long-time customer, and in fact was the first ILS customer to launch on Proton," said ILS President Frank McKenna. "We thank SES for its confidence in Proton and for supporting us during our return-to-flight activities, the implementation of the Khrunichev Quality Initiative and now the successful launch of ASTRA 1M.""We are very proud and satisfied that the ASTRA 1M launch has been a success," said Ferdinand Kayser, president and CEO of SES ASTRA. "ASTRA 1M will benefit our customers and allow them to broadcast additional high-definition channels. The success of the ASTRA 1M launch is an important milestone for SES ASTRA and we would like to underline the very good cooperation with our launch partners, International Launch Services and EADS ASTRIUM."(International Launch Services)Payload: ASTRA 1M communications satelliteEurostar E3000 busSeparated spacecraft mass: Approx. 11,729 lbs (5,320 kg)Launch Vehicle:Proton M/Breeze M702,000 kg (1,547,000 lbs), including payload58.2 m (191 ft)Launch Date:Nov. 6 (Baikonur)Nov. 5 (GMT, North America)Launch Time: 02:44 Baikonur20:44 GMT15:44 ESTLaunch Site:Baikonur Cosmodrome, KazakhstanLaunch Pad 39Launch Customer:SES ASTRA, LuxembourgSatellite Manufacturer:EADS Astrium, FranceLaunch Vehicle Manufacturer:Khrunichev State Research and Production Space Center,MoscowSatellite Use:ASTRA 1M will be positioned at 19.2 degrees East longitude, where it will provide pan-European coverage. It will primarily deliver direct-to-home services, including high-definition television. The launch of the spacecraft will allow SES ASTRA to move capacity to its increasingly important orbital position 23.5 degrees East. ASTRA 1M will carry 36 transponders covering the FSS and BSS frequency bands.Satellite Statistics:Solar array span of 35 metersSpacecraft power of 10kwOrbital location: 19.2 degrees East longitudeAnticipated service life: 15 yearsMission Profile:The Proton M launch vehicle, utilizing a 5-burn Breeze M mission design, will lift off from Pad 39 at Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan, with the ASTRA 1M satellite on board. The first three stages of the Proton will use a standard ascent profile to place the orbital unit (Breeze M upper stage and the ASTRA 1M satellite) into a sub-orbital trajectory. From this point in the mission, the Breeze M will perform planned mission maneuvers to advance the orbital unit first to a circular parking orbit, then to an intermediate orbit, followed by a transfer orbit and finally to a geosynchronous transfer orbit. Separation of the ASTRA 1M satellite is scheduled to occur approximately 9 hours, 12 minutes into the mission.Target Orbit at Separation:Apogee: 35,786 km (22,236 miles)Perigee: 4,980 km (3,094 miles)Inclination: 21.5 degreesSpacecraft Separation:Approximately 9 hours, 12 minutes after liftoff