Proton rocket launches two Russian broadcasting satellites

Two Russian telecommunications satellites are riding a Proton rocket and Breeze M upper stage into a high-altitude orbit after launch Monday from the Baikonur Cosmodrome. The mission took off at 7:07 a.m. EST (1207 GMT) Monday, and will last 18 hours from launch through separation of the final spacecraft, one of the longest ascents ever for a Russian rocket. More

(Source: SpaceFlight Now - Dec 13)