The ILS Proton Breeze M launched from Pad 39 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome at 1:15 a.m. local time (19:15 GMT, 3:15 p.m. EDT, on May 20). After a 9 hour 13 minute mission, the Breeze M successfully released the satellite, weighing approximately 5 metric tons, into geostationary transfer orbit. This was the 364th launch for the Proton vehicle since its inaugural flight in 1965.

Telesat's Telstar 14R/Estrela do Sul 2 satellite was built by Space Systems/Loral (SS/L) on the SS/L 1300 platform and replaces Telstar 14/Estrela do Sul at the orbital location of 63 degrees West. Telstar 14R will provide long term service for Brazil, the Continental United States (including the Gulf of Mexico and Northern Caribbean), the Southern Cone of South America, the Andean region (including Central America and Southern Caribbean), and the North and Mid-Atlantic Ocean.

The satellite's Atlantic beam will expand on the Atlantic Ocean Region capacity now provided by Telstar 14 and Telstar 11N, and secure Telesat's position as a leader in mobile broadband for maritime and aeronautical customers operating in the Atlantic.

ILS President Frank McKenna said, "We knew how critical it was to launch Telstar 14R on schedule to replace Telstar 14 for Telesat. With the early delivery of the satellite by Space Systems/Loral, ILS and Khrunichev were able to provide the flexibility needed to integrate and launch Telstar 14R well before the expected timeframe. ILS has two upcoming Proton missions with Telesat: Nimiq 6 and Anik G1, both scheduled for launch in 2012. We look forward to continuing to work with Telesat and delivering exceptional value to support their plans for expansion and growth."

"ILS and Khrunichev executed another flawless on-orbit launch, which was our seventh on ILS Proton," said President and CEO of Telesat, Dan Goldberg. "Telstar 14R/Estrela do Sul 2 is an important satellite for our customers operating in the Americas and the North Atlantic Ocean, regions where demand for high-powered Ku-band capacity continues to grow. I am extremely grateful for the expertise, professionalism and teamwork of Telesat, ILS, Khrunichev, and Space Systems/Loral that resulted in a successful launch of our newest satellite well ahead of schedule."

earlier related report
Russia launches U.S. telecoms satellite
Moscow (RIA Novosti) May 20 - Russia has launched a Proton-M heavy carrier rocket with a U.S. telstar-14R telecommunications satellite from the Baikonur space center in Kazakhstan, the Russian space agency Roscosmos said.

The rocket lifted off at 11.15 p.m. Moscow time (19:15 GMT) on Friday.

"The separation of the satellite from the Briz-M booster is expected at 08.28 a.m. Moscow time [04:28 GMT] on May 21, and at that point Russia will fulfill its part of the launch mission," a Roscosmos spokesman said.

Telstar -14R is a commercial satellite produced by the U.S. Space Systems/Loral company for leading satellite operator Telesat. It carries 46 Ku-band fixed and switchable transponders.

The satellite will replace Telstar 14 satellite at its orbital location to provide broadband coverage for Brazil, continental United States, the Gulf of Mexico, the northern and southern Caribbean, the Central America, and the northern and central Atlantic.

The 5-ton satellite has a service life of at least 15 years.

Friday's mission is the first for Proton-M this year and 364th overall for this class of Russian carrier rockets.

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