A Proton launch vehicle has successfully lifted the SIRIUS 4 satellite into orbit, marking this the fourth mission of the year for International Launch Services (ILS).
The Proton Breeze M vehicle, built by ILS partner Khrunichev Space Center of Moscow, lifted off from the Cosmodrome on Nov. 18. After more than nine hours, the launcher released the satellite into geostationary transfer orbit.
The SIRIUS 4 satellite is expected to go into service at the beginning of January, when it will deliver broadcast and broadband services across Europe and parts of Africa for SES SIRIUS of Sweden.
Lockheed Martin built the SIRIUS 4 spacecraft using its A2100 platform. This was the tenth Proton mission with this type of spacecraft.
ILS is the U.S.-Russian joint venture between Space Transport and Khrunichev State Research and Production Space Center with RSC Energia. ILS has the exclusive rights for worldwide commercial sales and mission management of satellite launches on Russia's premier vehicle, the Proton, and the future Angara vehicle. ILS is incorporated in Delaware in the United States and is headquartered in McLean, VA.
