BAIKONUR COSMODROME, Kazakhstan, Sept. 6, 2007 — Khrunichev and International Launch Services regret to announce the failure of the Proton launch vehicle to put the JCSAT-11 satellite into proper orbit for JSAT Corporation.
The Proton Breeze M rocket lifted off at 4:43 a.m. today from the Baikonur Cosmodrome. The Proton launcher failed to inject JCSAT-11 into orbit due to an anomaly in second-stage operation. A Russian State Commission is in the process of determining the reasons for the anomaly. ILS will release details when data become available. A copy of the official statement released by Khrunichev, which manufactures the Proton, will also be made available upon translation. In parallel with the State Commission, ILS will form its own Failure Review Oversight Board. The FROB will review the commission’s final report and corrective action plan, in accord with U.S. and Russian government export control regulations.
ILS remains committed to providing reliable, timely launch services for all its customers. To this end, ILS will work diligently with its partner Khrunichev to return Proton to flight as soon as possible.
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Contact: Fran Slimmer, International Launch Services, McLean, Va.; +1-571-633-7462; mobile: +1-646-229-4801; f.slimmer@ilslaunch.com
