Payload: AMC-9
Spacebus 3000B3 platform
Separated mass: approx. 4,100 kg (9,039 lbs)

Launch Vehicle: Proton K/Breeze M
Weight at liftoff: 691,272 kg (1.5 million lbs), including payload
Height: 61 m (200 ft)

Launch Date: April 29, 2003 (Baikonur)
April 28, 2003 (GMT, U.S.)

Launch Window Opens: 4:15 a.m. Baikonur
22:15 GMT
6:15 p.m. EDT

Launch Site: Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan
Launch Pad 39

End User: SES AMERICOM, Princeton, N.J.
Part of SES GLOBAL family of companies

Satellite Manufacturer: Alcatel Space, Cannes, France

Launch Vehicle Manufacturer: Khrunichev State Research and Production Space
Center, Moscow

Launch Services Provider: International Launch Services, McLean, Va.

Satellite Use: High-power communications satellite operating at C- and
Ku-band to expand digital television broadcasting, data transmission and
telecommunications services to North America

Satellite Statistics:

1st delivery-in-orbit launch for Alcatel by ILS

8th Alcatel satellite launched by ILS

5th ILS launch for AMERICOM

Orbital location: 72 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 five-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 circular parking orbit of 180 km (112 miles), inclined at 51.6
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).

Spacecraft Separation: Approximately 8 hours, 55 minutes after liftoff

ILS Mission Statistics:

300th Proton launch

1st Proton mission this year

2nd ILS mission this year

27th ILS mission on Proton since formation of the U.S.-Russian joint venture
in 1995

2nd ILS launch in a month