Russia's Khrunichev Space Center has received an order for launching a communication satellite for U.S. Echostar Communications, the Khrunichev press center told Interfax.
The satellite is expected to be launched with a Proton-K rocket from the Baikonur space center at the beginning of next year.
The contract signed by the Russian-American International Launch Services joint venture calls for launching two communication satellites for Echostar Communications. The first is expected to launched with an American Atlas-3 rocket from Cape Canaveral at the end of this year.
The cost of the contract has not yet been disclosed, but experts estimate the launch of one communication satellite to a geostationary orbit by a Proton rocket at $70 million to $80 million.
The satellites will join the Echostar cluster that transmits radio and TV signals for 5 million customers in the United States.
According to the Khrunichev Center, 2000 was a record year for Proton- K launches. Over the year, 14 launches were made. The most significant launch was the Zvezda service module for the International Space Station at the end of July.
According to the Center, 2001 is not so promising for geostationary orbit launches. So far contracts for three Proton launched this year have been signed, the consequence of accidents with Proton rockets summer and fall 1999.
However, 2002 is forecast to be a stable year. Orders for at least 12 commercial satellite launches have already been received.
The ILS joint venture was set up in 1995 specially for providing launch services with the Russian Proton and American Atlas rockets. Its owners are Lockheed Martin (USA), the Khrunichev Center and the Energiya rocket maker.
Copyright 2001 Interfax. All rights reserved. The material on this page is provided by Interfax and may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
