Payload: AMC-15 communications satellite
Lockheed Martin A2100 platform
Separated spacecraft mass: Approx. 8,865 lbs (4,021 kg)
Launch Vehicle: Proton M/Breeze M
Weight at liftoff: 691,272 kg (1.5 million lbs), including payload
Height: 58.2 m (191 ft)
Launch Date: Oct. 15 (Baikonur)
Oct. 14 (GMT, U.S.)
Launch Window Opens: 3:23 a.m. Baikonur
21:23 GMT
5:23 p.m. EDT
Launch Site: Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan
Launch Pad 39
Launch Customer: SES AMERICOM, Princeton, N.J.
Part of SES GLOBAL family of companies
Satellite Manufacturer: Lockheed Martin Commercial Space Systems Co.,
Newtown, Pa.
Launch Vehicle Manufacturer: Khrunichev State Research and Production Space
Center, Moscow
Launch Services Provider: International Launch Services (ILS), McLean, Va.
Satellite Use: Ku- and Ka-band hybrid satellite for SES AMERICOM’S
AMERICOM2Home® customer, EchoStar DISH Network direct-to-home entertainment
service, covering all 50 United States.
Satellite Statistics:
24 Ku-band transponders
12 Ka-band spot beams
Orbital location: 105 degrees West longitude
Anticipated service life of 15 years
Mission Profile: The Proton launch vehicle will inject the satellite into
geosynchronous transfer orbit, using a three-burn Breeze M mission design.
The first three stages of the Proton will use a standard ascent trajectory
to place the Breeze M fourth stage, with the satellite, into a suborbital
trajectory, from which the Breeze M will place itself and the spacecraft
into a support orbit of 173 km (107 miles), inclined at 51.5 degrees. Then
the satellite will be propelled to its transfer orbit by additional burns of
the Breeze M. Following separation from the Breeze M, the spacecraft will
perform a series of liquid apogee engine burns to raise perigee, lower
inclination and circularize the orbit at the geostationary altitude of
36,000 km (22,300 miles).
Target Orbit at Separation:
Apogee: 35,786 km (22,236 miles)
Perigee: 7,220 km (4,486 miles)
Inclination: 18.6¬?
Spacecraft Separation: Approximately 6 hours, 55 minutes after liftoff
ILS Mission Statistics:
9th ILS mission this year
3rd of 5 ILS launches this year for SES AMERICOM
4th ILS Proton mission this year
31st ILS mission on Proton
NEWS MEDIA ACTIVITIES
Live Broadcast in U.S.: AMC-9 , transponder 3C, C-band, 85 degrees West,
downlink 3760 MHz (vertical), analog
Test signals start at 4 p.m. EDT
AMC-9 , transponder 3K, Ku-band, 85 degrees West,
downlink 11760 MHz (vertical), analog
Test signals start at 4 p.m. EDT
In Europe, Russia & Kazakhstan: NSS-7, transponder NAV6/EUH6, Channel 1,
Ku-band
degrees East; FEC 3/4;
downlink 11573.750 MHz (horizontal)
Test signals start at 20:45 GMT
More Information: Live webcast and general mission information are available
on the ILS web site at www.ilslaunch.com. Launch status updates are
available on the ILS U.S. domestic Launch Hotline at 1-800-852-4980.
CONTACT: Fran Slimmer, ILS, McLean, Va.;1-571-633-7462, mobile:
+1-646-229-4801; fran.slimmer@lmco.com