Russia orbits Europe's Eutelsat satellite

MOSCOW. November 25. KAZINFORM Russia's Proton-M rocket, which was launched late on Tuesday after a one-day delay, has delivered Europe's Eutelsat W7 communications satellite to orbit, the Federal Space Agency said on Wednesday; Kazinform refers to RIA Novosti.

"The separation of the foreign spacecraft took place on Wednesday," the source said.

The launch was delayed over serious disagreements between Russia and Kazakhstan, which owns the Baikonur space center used by Russia under a long-term contract.

Kazakh space agency Kazcosmos on Monday accused its Russian counterpart, Roscosmos, of constantly changing launch plans. Roscosmos, however, said that it had submitted all necessary documents to its Kazakh partners on time.

The Russian-American joint venture International Launch Services (ILS) had signed a contract with the Eutelsat satellite operator to launch the Eutelsat W7 to upgrade its existing satellite grouping; Kazinform cites RIA Novosti.

See www.en.rian.ru for full version