Intelsat 16 telecommunication satellite has arrived at Baikonur launch site to begin preparation for a launch aboard Proton-M launcher. The satellite was built by Orbital Sciences Corporation for satellite operator Intelsat.
Intelsat 16 was delivered to the Yubileiny airport on an Ukrainian Antonov cargo plane AN 124 Ruslan today.
Containers with the spacecraft and its ground support equipment will be transported from the airport into Proton launcher integration building (MIK 92-A50) for further pre-launch operations.
Next days the equipment required for spacecraft testing will be installed in the clean room. Then, the experts will begin standalone spacecraft operations, including series of tests and fuelling.
Three–stage Proton rocket, which will use Breeze KM upper stage to deliver Intelsat 16 in orbit, arrived at the space port earlier. LV Assembly operations are carried out by Khrunichev specialists.
International Launch Services Inc. (ILS) provides Proton launch services for Intelsat 16. Proton/Breeze-M LV is produced by Khrunichev Space Center, the majority interest holder in ILS.
Intelsat 16 satellite is scheduled for launch in February. This will be the 1st commercial flight of Proton in 2010 year.
