Baikonur makes first launch of 2014, Proton Rocket Carrying Turkish Satellite

This year's first launch of «Proton-M» from Baikonur cosmodrome was broadcasted online on Roscosmos website. Start was carried out in normal mode, the separation of the head unit as part of «Turksat - 4A» spacecraft and «Briz-M» booster was held in accordance with timeline. The launch of «Turksat-4A» satellite was attended by Turkey's Minister of Transport, Maritime Affairs and Communications, Lutfi Elvan. The Turksat 4A satellite, built by the Japanese «Mitsubishi Electric» company, was handed over to Turkey on January 8, 2014.
It is expected that Turkey will launch Turksat 5A satellite in 2016, and Turksat 3 - in 2019. These two satellites will be used to provide telecommunications services in Turkey, Europe, Central Asia, Africa and the Middle East.