ILS

An American-Russian joint venture of Proton rocket launch services, International Launch Services (ILS), has successfully launched TURKSAT 4B satellite into orbit on an ILS Proton Breeze M vehicle from Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.

Mitsubishi Electric built the satellite for Turksat Satellite Communication and Cable TV and Operation (Turksat).

The satellite weighed more than 4.9mt at liftoff and was the ninth satellite built on Mitsubishi Electric’s DS2000 platform.

The latest launch was the sixth Proton launch of the year and second for both the satellite operator and the manufacturer.

TURKSAT 4B is a multi-band satellite that will provide telecommunication and direct TV broadcasting services over west China, east of England, Turkey, Europe, central Asia, Middle East and Africa.

TURKSAT 4B is expected to have an orbit lifespan of 30 years and its customers will receive high flexibility of switchability and connectivity among different service areas.

"This is the second ILS Proton launch for Mitsubishi Electric and Turksat, following the launch of TURKSAT 4A in February of last year."

ILS president Kirk Pysher said: "This is the second ILS Proton launch for Mitsubishi Electric and Turksat, following the launch of TURKSAT 4A in February of last year.

"It has been an honor to be entrusted with these important satellites and to ensure their safe delivery to orbit.

"The teams at Mitsubishi Electric, Turksat, Khrunichev, and ILS are to be commended for their tireless work and dedication."

In the first three stages, while placing the orbital unit, including Breeze M upper stage and the TURKSAT 4B satellite into a sub-orbital trajectory, Proton used a standard ascent profile. Approximately 9 hours and 13 minutes after liftoff, separation of the TURKSAT 4B satellite occurred.

Mitsubishi Electric space systems division general manager Yasunori Kamochi said: "Our first Proton launch with ILS last year was flawless.

"We are very pleased that our second launch with TURKSAT 4B was equally as successful with an extremely smooth mission and execution of the launch."

Since 1965, the Proton vehicle has been involved in satellite launch services. The latest launch was its 407th launch and ILS’s 91st.

The Proton Breeze M vehicle is developed and built by Khrunichev Research and Production Space Center in Moscow.

Image: ILS successfully launched the TURKSAT 4B satellite into orbit. Photo: courtesy of International Launch Services (ILS).