The upper stage “Briz-M” with the communication satellite separated from the “Proton” – RIA Novosti

© Photo: Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos)

MOSCOW, January 30 – RIA Novosti. The upper stage “Briz-M” with a European communications satellite Eutelsat 9B separated from the carrier rocket “Proton-M”, said on Saturday, RIA Novosti, the representative of the state corporation “Roscosmos”.

The launch from Baikonur was moved from January 28 due to adverse weather conditions and took place on 30 January at 01.20 MSK.

“There was a separation of the upper stage” Breeze-M and spacecraft Eutelsat 9B from the third stage of the launch vehicle, “- said the official.

The launch was carried out in the framework of a long-term contract signed in October 2015 a subsidiary of Space Center Khrunichev International Launch Services (ILS) from one of the leading satellite operators Eutelsat Communications (Paris, France). In the last 15 years with the help of rockets “Proton” was launched 11 spacecraft orbital groups Eutelsat.

European communications satellite Eutelsat 9B is designed for digital television and data services in Italy, Germany, Greece, parts of Scandinavia and the Baltic countries. The spacecraft will be located at the orbital position 9 degrees east.

The satellite is made by the French defense and space division of the European consortium Airbus Group – the company Airbus Defense and Space (Toulouse, France). The launch weight of the spacecraft – about 5162 kilograms.

Carrier rocket “Proton” and the upper stage “Breeze-M” has developed and commercially produced in the Khrunichev Space Center. The upgraded rocket “Proton-M”, equipped with the data of the upper stage capable of delivering on the geosynchronous transfer orbit a payload of more than 6 tonnes.