Contract for launching 2 Proton LVs for Intelsat signed
MOSCOW. March 31 (Interfax-AVN) - The Khrunichev state space research and production center will conduct launches of two Proton-M launch vehicles that will carry two communication satellites of U.S. Intelsat corporation, Interfax-AVN was told at Khrunichev's press center on Friday.
"International Launch Services Inc. (ILS) and U.S. satellite operator Intelsat S.A. have announced the signing of a contract for two satellite launches with Proton-M carrier rockets," a newsletter of the press service says.
Earlier Protons were used five times for carrying Intelsat satellites. Last time it happened in October 2012 when a Proton-M LV successfully took off from Baikonur space center and placed the Intelsat-23 satellite in geostationary orbit.
ILS registered in the United States in 1995 has its headquarters in Reston, Virginia. It has the exclusive right to market the Russian heavy launch vehicle Proton on the world market. Since May 2008 the Khrunichev center which is the designer and manufacturer of Proton-M LVs and Briz-M upper stages has a controlling stake in ILS.
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