BAIKONUR COSMODROME, Kazakhstan,  April 16, 2009 — The IndoStar II/ ProtoStar II  telecommunications spacecraft arrived at the Baikonur Cosmodrome today, along with its mission’s Breeze M upper stage. The satellite built by the Boeing Company will undergo preparations for the middle of May launch.

The satellite is being launched for ProtoStar Ltd of Bermuda in cooperation with PT MNC Indovision of Indonesia, by International Launch Services (ILS), the sole commercial Proton launch provider. The satellite is scheduled for liftoff onboard a heavy-lift Proton M Breeze M vehicle built by Khrunichev State Research and Production center.

Both the spacecraft and the Breeze M arrived at Yubileiny Airfield and checked in with customs. After processing, the shipments will be transferred to Hall 92A-50 for Assembly and Testing completed by teams from Khrunichev, Boeing and ILS. This will be the second Proton launch of 2009 for ILS and the fourth Proton launch of 2009 overall.