2015 First Launch Preparation in Progress at Baikonur

The Inmarsat 5F2 communication satellite was transported to Baikonur on 18 December 2014. Experts of the Boeing manufacturer company’s space programs unit immediately started preparing and autonomous testing in assembly & test building, Pad 92À-50.

At the same time, the launching teams of the Russian Rocket & Space Industry proceeded to prepare the launch facilities and ground infrastructure for the forthcoming launch.

Today, in assembly & test building, Pad 92À-50, room 111, the pneumatic tests of Proton-M and autonomous tests of the payload fairing are being carried by the Khrunichev Space Center. The final checks of the Breeze-M upper stage propulsion systems take place now.

The launch complex, Pad 200 is being prepared for Proton-M to inject Inmarsat 5F2 into orbit by the Yuzhny Space Center, TsENKI Division.

Proton and Breeze-M are designed and manufactured by the Khrunichev Research and Production Space Center. The modernized Proton-M with the Breeze-M upper stage is capable of placing the payload weighting more than 6 tons into the geostationary transfer orbit.

Inmarsat 5 F2 is the second of three Inmarsat series satellites of the fifth generation designed provide communication services in North and South Americas as well in the Atlantic Region.

The first of I-5 series satellites was successfully lofted by Proton-M in December 2013.

Inmarsat 5 F2 is scheduled for launch for 30 January 2015. This will be the first ROSCOSMOS launch in 2015.

ROSCOSMOS Press Service