Proton-M LV brought to Baikonur for Turkish satellite launch
BAIKONUR. Dec 20 (Interfax-AVN) - A train carrying the Proton-M launch vehicle, which will insert the Turkish satellite Turksat-4A into orbit in 2014, arrived from the Khrunichev Space Center in Baikonur on Friday, a space center spokesman told Interfax.
An Antonov An-124-100 "Ruslan" jumbo jet transported the Briz-M upper stage to Baikonur on Thursday night, he added.
"The Briz-M was taken to the 92A-50 assembly and testing station for being prepared for the launch and integrated with the Proton-M LV," the source said.
The Turksat-4A takeoff has been tentatively scheduled for February 10.
Turksat-4A is property of the Turkish telecom satellite operator, Turksat AS. It will provide television and broadband communication services in Turkey, Europe, Central Asia, the Middle East and Africa.
Japan's Mitsubishi Electric (MELCO) built the satellite, which carries Ku, Ka and C transponders, has a weight of approximately 3,800 kilograms and is mounted on the DS2000 MELCO platform.
