ILS International Launch Services lifted a Russian Proton K booster from the Baikonur Cosmodrome on 20 May. The booster placed the Lockheed Martin-built Nimiq 1 direct broadcast communications satellite, to be operated by Canada's Telesat, into geostationary transfer orbit. It was the third commercial ILS Proton launch this year. The launch of the first Proton K, with the new Russian Breeze M multiple-restart upper stage, carrying a Raduga 1 domestic communications satellite, is due on 21 June.
Source: Flight International