Proton rocket deploys satellite duo into orbit

A Proton rocket delivered two communications satellites to orbit Monday after a nine-hour ascent from the Baikonur Cosmodrome, achieving a successful launch with payloads for Russia and Kazakhstan. The Luch 5V and Kazsat 3 spacecraft, both manufactured by Russian satellite-builder ISS Reshetnev, launched at 0425 GMT (12:25 a.m. EDT) from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. The satellites were mounted on top of a Proton rocket, which roared away from the historic space base at 10:25 a.m. local time. The three-stage Proton booster and Breeze M upper stage put the dual-payload package in a preliminary orbit about 15 minutes later. More

(Source: SpaceFlight Now - Apr 29)