We have had a successful mission with the ILS Proton Rocket, carrying the Satmex 8 satellite built by SSL. We have had confirmation that the Satmex 8 satellite separated from the vehicle on schedule at 12:20 a.m. EDT, or 07:20 GMT, 9 hours and 13 minutes after liftoff.

Everything occurred as planned with ignition, shutdown and separation of the Proton’s first three stages. Then the Breeze M upper stage with the satellite continued the mission, igniting five times, and then releasing the satellite into transfer orbit.