BAIKONUR COSMODROME, Kazakhstan,  July, 29, 2009 —  Joint Operations have begun at the Baikonur Cosmodrome for the AsiaSat 5 telecommunications satellite. In the last few weeks the spacecraft (SC) has been fueled and the Breeze M upper stage has been loaded with propellant.  Today, personnel from Space Systems/Loral, the satellite manufacturer, moved the SC from Hall 103A to Hall 101 for processing and mating. 

Once the SC is clamped to the payload fairing adapter, the assembly will be mated to the Breeze M, forming the Orbital Unit (OU). The OU will then go through a series of electrical and mechanical testing before encapsulation by the payload fairing.

AsiaSat 5 is scheduled to launch onboard an ILS Proton for Asia Satellite Telecommunications Company Ltd. The satellite will replace AsiaSat 2 at the orbital location of 100.5 degrees east.