The takeoff of the Russian Proton-M launch vehicle with the US communication satellite Sirius FM-6 may be put off until October at the request of the US side,according to the Interfax citing a source at the cosmodrome on Monday.

"There is the motion of the US side on rescheduling the launch to October 25. The State Commission will handle the message on Monday," the source said.

Initially the takeoff was slated for Sunday, October 20. However, less than 24 hours before it the launch was put off for the reserve time - 10:12 pm Moscow time on October 21.

The launch of Sirius FM-6 should become the seventh for Proton in 2013, the 390th in its flight history and the second after the July 2 failed takeoff.

For International Launch Services Inc (ILS) which markets Proton launch services around the world (the Khrunichev Space Research and Production Center owns a controlling stake in it) this will be the sixth Proton launch in 2013 and the 83rd since the beginning of its commercial use in April 1996.

Proton LV will be used for the sixth time to carry payload of Sirius-XM company.

Besides, it will be the 27th launch of a Proton with a satellite built on the SS/L platform.

Sirius FM-6 is an extra powerful radio broadcasting satellite developed by Space Systems/Loral for US Sirius XM Radio that operates musical, sports, news and other radio channels in the continental part of the USA and Canada.

++ Launch of Proton-M carrier rocket postponed

Russia has delayed for 24 hours the launch of its Proton-M carrier rocket with the US's Sirius FM-6 satellite aboard, a source at the Baikonur Space Center has told the Voice of Russia.

The source has yet to comment on the reasons behind the change of plan for the launch schedule.

The Proton-M launch was contracted by International Launch Services which has the exclusive right to use this rocket type commercially.

The Sirius FM-6 satellite, that will be put into near-Earth orbit, belongs to Sirius XM Radio, a US satellite operator, and is to provide satellite radio broadcasts to North America.

It belongs to the Radiosat series and will produce a signal twice the strength of its predecessors.

The six-ton satellite will be the largest and most powerful Sirius XM Radio spacecraft. It was built by Space Systems/Loral on the 1300 platform series, which has proved itself in space for a wide range of satellite services. The satellite is expected to last for more than 15 years.

Source: Voice of Russia