Launch Vehicle: Proton K/Block DM
Weight at liftoff: 691,272 kg (1.5 million lbs),
including payload
Height: 57.2 m (187.7 ft)

Launch Date: Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2002 (Baikonur)
Monday, Nov. 25, 2002 (U.S.)

Launch Window Opens: 4:04 a.m. Nov. 26 (Baikonur)
23:04 Nov. 25 GMT
6:04 p.m. Nov. 25 (EST/USA)

Launch Site: Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan
Launch Complex 81, Pad 23

End User: SES ASTRA, an SES GLOBAL company, a leading provider of video and data broadcasting via satellite in Europe

Satellite Manufacturer: Alcatel Space, France

Launch Vehicle Manufacturer: Khrunichev State Research and Production Space Center, Moscow � Proton first three stages; RSC Energia, near Moscow – Block DM fourth stage

Launch Services Provider: International Launch Services (ILS), McLean, Va.

Satellite Use: Digital services across Europe

Satellite Statistics:
Largest commercial satellite built to date
14th satellite in SES ASTRA's constellation
Orbital location: 19.2 degrees East longitude
Anticipated service life of 13 years
1st Alcatel satellite launched on Proton

Mission Profile: The Proton launch vehicle will inject the ASTRA 1K satellite into geosynchronous transfer orbit. The first three stages will use a standard ascent trajectory to place the Block DM upper stage with the satellite into a 175.5 km (109-mile) circular parking orbit, inclined at 51.6 degrees. Then the satellite will be propelled to its transfer orbit by two additional burns of the Block DM. Following separation from the Block DM, the spacecraft will perform a series of liquid apogee engine burns to raise perigee, lower inclination and circularize the orbit at the geostationary altitude of 36,000 km (22,300 miles).

Target Orbit at Separation:
Apogee: 35,786 km
Perigee: 3,343 km
Inclination: 26.3 degrees

Spacecraft Separation: Approximately 6 hours, 36 minutes after liftoff

ILS Mission Statistics:
8th ILS mission this year
7th Proton mission this year
25th ILS mission on Proton since formation of the U.S.-Russian joint venture in 1995
6th launch for ASTRA by ILS on Proton

More Information: Live webcast and general mission information are available on the ILS web site. Launch status updates are available on the ILS U.S. domestic Launch Hotline at 1-800-852-4980.