The launch of the 2nd Proton-M launch vehicle from the Baikonur cosmodrome, belonging to the 4th modernization phase, together with the Echostar 21 satellite, can be transferred to the 2nd half of the current year. "The launch of the Proton-M rocket with the Echostar 21 was scheduled for the 2nd quarter of 2018. But due to the postponement of the first launch of the Proton-M to May 28 (with the IntelsatDLA2 satellite), the launch of the 2nd rocket The 4th phase of the modernization has been moved to the 3rd quarter, ”the Interfax quoted the text from an unspecified source in the space industry.
It was previously reported that the launch of Proton-M and the satellite IntelsatDLA2 is scheduled for May 28 of this year. The IntelsatDLA2 device was created by the American company Space Systems Loral, the customer of this satellite was Intelsat S.A., an American satellite communications operator. The device is designed to provide television and communication services to users living in Latin America. The initial weight of Intelsat DLA2 according to the project should be approximately 6400 kg.
According to Kommersant, the launch of the Proton-M carrier will be the first after the accident in 2013. This rocket will be launched simultaneously with the 3rd GLONASS-M satellites and launch can occur before the end of 2018, a source in the space industry says. This year, a single launch of the GLONASS-M satellite has already been carried out, and a second similar launch is scheduled for May 21.
