The carrier rocket Proton-M with the upper stage Breeze M block and the Russian communication satellite Express AMU1 has been launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.

      The start of Proton-M was postponed for one day due to adverse weather conditions, in particular strong wind near the launch site. 

      Proton was launched at 00:31 am Moscow time.

      The Express AMU1 satellite is planned to be set at the orbital slot of 36 degrees of eastern longitude. The spacecraft is equipped with 70 broadcasting antennas and will provide covering of the European part of Russia in Ku-and Ka bands. It will also enable to provide communication services and broadcasting in Africa.

      Express AMU1 will in fact become the third HTS satellite of the Federal State Unitary Enterprise “Space Communication” and at the same time the fourth heavyweight spacecraft in the satellite group Gasprom Cosmic Systems. Presently the updated satellite group of the Federal State Unitary Enterprise “Space Communication” has 12 communication and broadcasting satellites working.