After a 24-hour launch delay to charge its batteries, the Intelsat 10-02 spacecraft rode a Russian-built Proton M rocket into space at precisely 6:27 p.m. Wednesday EDT (22:27 GMT). Just over nine hours later, the spacecraft slipped into a geosynchronous orbit thanks to its Breeze M upper stage engine.

Built by France's EADS Astrium, Intelsat 10-02 is designed to be the most powerful satellite in a 25-spacecraft fleet maintained by the U.S-based global telecommunications provider Intelsat, Ltd. The satellite will provide television broadcasting, telephone and Internet service across Europe, Africa and the Middle East, as well as South America and parts of Asia and North America.

Weighing 12,291 pounds (5,575 kilograms), Intelsat 10-02 is the largest communications satellite ever carried by a Proton rocket and among the largest constructed by EADS Astrium, launch officials said.

Intelsat 10-02's successful flight marked the 32^nd launch of an Intelsat spacecraft and the sixth space shot this year by International Launch Services (ILS), which marketed the satellite's flight. The next ILS launch is set for June 30, officials said.