Russia launches US communications satellite

MOSCOW (AFP) Jun 07, 2003
A Russian Proton-K rocket carrying US communications satellite AMS-9 early Saturday blasted off from the space base of Baikonur in Kazakhstan, a spokesman for Russia's military space corps said.

The rocket was launched at 02:15 am Moscow time (22:15 GMT Friday), the Interfax news agency quoted the spokesman as saying.

The satellite, which will service North America and carry digital television links, was built for US company Americom by French manufacturer Alcatel Space Industries.

SPACE.WIRE