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	Proton-K Rocket Carrying US Satellite Launched from Baikonur By Interfax posted: 08:40 am ET 22 August 2002

MOSCOW

MOSCOW. Aug 22 (Interfax) - A Russian Proton-K rocket booster carrying the U.S. Echostar-8 commercial satellite took off from the Baikonur spaceport at 9:15 a.m. on Thursday, the press service of the Russian Space Force told Interfax.

The Space Force prepared and conducted the Proton-K launch under a program of international cooperation and the plan for commercial programs.

The launch was initially set for June 22, 2002. A satellite instrument failed during pre-launch testing on that day, and the client (Echostar Corporation) asked for a delay in the launch.

Attempts to launch the Proton-K on August 20 and 21 failed because of bad weather in Baikonur.

The U.S. company Space Systems Loral manufactured the Echostar-8 satellite. It weighs 4,700 kilograms, and will provide digital TV broadcasts to the continental U.S., Alaska, Hawaii and Puerto Rico. The satellite is expected to function for 14-15 years.

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