International Launch Services (ILS) has been awarded a contract by Luxembourg-based Société Européenne des Satellites (SES) to launch the Astra 2C and 1K communications satellites on Proton boosters from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in June and December.
The satellites will be the fifth and sixth Astras to be launched by ILS. The Proton made 14 successful launches last year. The Boeing 601 Astra 2C, which will be the 12th satellite in the SES fleet, will be located at 28.2°E in geostationary orbit. Astra 1K is a Spacebus 3000 B3S model built by Alcatel Space and, at 5,250kg (11,560lb), is the heaviest communications satellite built in Europe. It will be located at 19.2°E.
The launch of the European Space Agency's Artemis communications technology satellite, which was due to be made on a Japanese H2A booster will be switched to an Ariane 5 - the original choice of launcher - due to continuing delays in the Japanese programme. The first Proton M booster with a Breeze M upper stage will be launched on 2 March, from the Baikonur Cosmodrome, carrying an Ekran-M communications satellite.Source: Flight International
