Russian Rocket to Put U.S. Satellite into Orbit in 2005

MOSCOW. July 14 (Interfax) – The launch of a Russian Proton-M rocket carrier to put a U.S. DIRECTV-8 communications satellite into orbit has been scheduled for 2005.

“The Russian-U.S. International Launch Services joint venture has signed a new contract to launch a DIRECTV-8 satellite owned by the U.S. DIRECTV satellite broadcasting company,” reads a press release issued by the Khrunichev research center.

“The satellite will be put into orbit by a Proton-M rocket carrier using a Briz-M launch vehicle,” the press release says.

The DIRECTV-8 was produced by the Space Systems/Loral company, while the Proton-M and Briz-M were manufactured by the Khrunichev center.

International Launch Services comprises U.S. Lockheed Martin Corporation and its Russian partners – the Khrunichev center and the Energia spacecraft manufacturer.