We have had a successful mission with the ILS Proton Rocket, carrying the EchoStar XVI satellite built by Space Systems/Loral for EchoStar. We have had confirmation that the satellite separated from the vehicle on schedule at 10:43pm EST, or 03:43 GMT, 9 hours and 12 minute 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.
 

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We have confirmed that the Breeze M upper stage has successfully completed its 3rd burn and 4th burn, as well as jettisoning its additional propellant tank.  The vehicle is now in a 5-hour coast period, during which we will have nothing to report. The 5th burn is scheduled to start at 10:25pm EST, or 03:25 GMT, and last approximately 5 minutes. Separation of the EchoStar XVI satellite will follow the 5th burn MECO by approximately 14 minutes.

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As the Breeze M upper stage of our Proton M rocket continues its climb into space with the EchoStar XVI satellite onboard, we have received confirmation that the 2nd burn of the upper stage occurred and shut down as scheduled.
The next events are scheduled for about 2 hours from now. The Breeze M upper stage will ignite for a 3rd time and burn for approximately 9 minutes; after that the additional propellant tank will be jettisoned. All this will happen in a span of almost 10 minutes while the vehicle is again out of range of a ground station. We should reacquire the vehicle shortly after the APT is jettisoned.

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We have received confirmation of completion of the first burn. The vehicle is now scheduled to be out of range for about an hour, after which we will hear confirmation of the second burn

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We had a successful liftoff about 11 minutes ago of the ILS Proton M Breeze M rocket, which is carrying the EchoStar XVI satellite onboard. The three stages of the Proton vehicle have performed as planned, and it is up to the Breeze M upper stage to complete the mission. The upper stage has begun its first burn, which is scheduled to last around 7 minutes.

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We have liftoff! of the Proton M Breeze M rocket and the EchoStar XVI satellite.

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Team Prytula begins the EchoStar XVI launch campaign for ILS along with SS/Loral and Stramler (representing EchoStar).  All of the parties are enthusiastic and eager to begin working on the campaign.  The EchoStar XVI spacecraft arrived in Baikonur on 16 October and was successfully transported to Building 92A-50 thanks to the hard work and support of all parties.  The chilly weather is beginning to set in as new arrivals settle in for the start of the campaign.  Just 2 weeks ago a short sleeve shirt was comfortable for outside, but now we’re starting to dust off our winter coats and gloves.  The Cosmos hotel is bustling with the SS/Loral crew and the Fili has filled up with more campaign support.  The wild life of Baikonur even seems curious about the new inhabitants!

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