Russia launches satellites for Europe

Russia's Proton-M missile left the launch platform yesterday and brought Europe's Eutelsat W7 communications satellite into orbit.

Russian missiles put European satellites into orbit.Photo: Ria Novosti.

Ria Novosti said the satellite launch was delayed for a day because of disagreements between Russia and Kazakhstan, where Russia placed the Baikonur space center.

Eutelsat W7 satellite will operate for about 15 years and transmit digital signals to customers in Europe, including Russia, and some countries in Africa, Central Asia and the Middle East. The satellite was designed to replace SESAT 1, which has been in orbit since 2000.

This is the 8th time Proton-M missiles have put satellites into orbit this year. This three-stage rocket uses liquid propellant and is produced by the Khrunichev center.