Launch operations for the Astra 2G ILS Proton launch continue on schedule.

Since late last week, the Khrunichev, ILS, SES and Airbus teams have been in the process of assembling the Ascent Unit (AU) including the mating of the Astra-2G spacecraft with the Breeze M upper stage (US) at the 92-А50 Integration & Testing Facility (ITF). On Monday, the final operations with the AU were carried out including electrical checkouts of the SC+US stack and installation of the payload fairing halves. In accordance with the schedule, the AU was transferred to the assembly hall and was mated with the Proton M launch vehicle.

Astra 2G, a telecommunications satellite, was manufactured by Airbus Defence and Space (a division of Airbus Group) for satellite communications operator, SES (Luxembourg).  The launch of Astra-2G is scheduled for late November and will be the 400th Proton mission since its maiden flight in 1965.