BAIKONUR COSMODROME, Kazakhstan, Dec. 30, 2002 – A next-generation Proton launch vehicle carried the Nimiq 2 satellite into orbit today, bringing the year to a successful close for International Launch Services (ILS).This was the first commercial mission for the Russian-built Proton M/Breeze M rocket configuration. The vehicle lifted off at 4:17 a.m. today local time (6:17 p.m. Sunday EST, 23:17 Sunday GMT). Six hours and 53 minutes later, the satellite was released into a transfer orbit. The satellite, designed for direct broadcast services, was built by Lockheed Martin Commercial Space Systems, and will be operated by Telesat Canada.
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