Russia To Orbit Israeli Telecom Satellite

MOSCOW. Dec 27 (Interfax) – A Russian rocket is due to orbit an Israeli satellite on Sunday to offer telecommunication services for the Middle East, Central Europe and the northeastern United States and give the Middle East and Central Europe Internet links to North America.

The Amos 2 satellite will be taken into space by a Russian Soyuz- FG rocket to take off from the Baikonur space center in Kazakhstan at 2030 GMT on Saturday.

The rocket’s Fregat upper stage is to orbit the satellite at 0417 GMT on Sunday, the press service of the Russian Space Forces told Interfax.

The Amos 1 satellite, in orbit since 1996, and has been providing relaying services for the Middle East ad Central Europe.

The Soyuz-FG, in use since 2001, is said to have 99% accuracy of satellite orbiting. It has been developed by the Progress design bureau in the city of Samara.