Launch of KazSat 3 and Loutch 5V on board Tsenki’s Proton-M launch vehicle. Photo: Tsenki.

[Via Satellite 04-30-2014] A Proton-M rocket has successfully launched the communication satellites KazSat3 and Loutch 5V from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Thales Alenia Space provided the payload for KazSat 3 to ISS-Reshetnev. Kazakhstan will operate the satellite to provide commercial telecommunications services throughout the country. Thales also supplied the transponders for Loutch 5V.

KazSat 3 was fitted with 28 Ku-band transponders and will generate a power of approximately 5.5 kW, with a design life of 15 years. Loutch 5V will be used as a communications relay for Russian satellites in low Earth orbit, as well as a relay for launchers. The satellite supports four S- and Ku-band channels, and has a design life of more than 15 years.