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21 Apr 2003

ILS Proton to Launch AMC-9 Satellite
Media Advisory

Payload: AMC-9
Spacebus 3000B3 platform
Separated mass: approx. 4,100 kg (9,039 lbs)

Launch Vehicle: Proton K/Breeze M
Weight at liftoff: 691,272 kg (1.5 million lbs), including payload
Height: 61 m (200 ft)

Launch Date: April 29, 2003 (Baikonur)
April 28, 2003 (GMT, U.S.)

Launch Window Opens: 4:15 a.m. Baikonur
22:15 GMT
6:15 p.m. EDT

Launch Site: Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan
Launch Pad 39

End User: SES AMERICOM, Princeton, N.J.
Part of SES GLOBAL family of companies

Satellite Manufacturer: Alcatel Space, Cannes, France

Launch Vehicle Manufacturer: Khrunichev State Research and Production
Space Center, Moscow
Launch Services Provider: International Launch Services, McLean, Va.

Satellite Use: High-power communications satellite operating at C-
and Ku-band to expand digital television broadcasting, data
transmission and telecommunications services to North America

Satellite Statistics:

1st delivery-in-orbit launch for Alcatel by ILS

8th Alcatel satellite launched by ILS

5th ILS launch for AMERICOM

Orbital location: 72 degrees West longitude

Anticipated service life of 15 years

Mission Profile: The Proton launch vehicle will inject the satellite
into geosynchronous transfer orbit, using a five-burn Breeze M
mission design. The first three stages of the Proton will use a
standard ascent trajectory to place the Breeze M fourth stage, with
the satellite, into a suborbital trajectory, from which the Breeze M
will place itself and the spacecraft into a circular parking orbit of
180 km (112 miles), inclined at 51.6 degrees. Then the satellite will
be propelled to its transfer orbit by additional burns of the Breeze
M. Following separation from the Breeze M, the spacecraft will
perform a series of liquid apogee engine burns to raise perigee,
lower inclination and circularize the orbit at the geostationary
altitude of 36,000 km (22,300 miles). 

Spacecraft Separation: Approximately 8 hours, 55 minutes after
liftoff 

ILS Mission Statistics:

300th Proton launch

1st Proton mission this year

2nd ILS mission this year

27th ILS mission on Proton since formation of the U.S.-Russian joint
venture in 1995

2nd ILS launch in a month

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