The Proton heavy launch vehicle is designed to launch civilian and military spacecraft into Earth orbit.
Today, the Proton launch vehicle is used to launch telecommunications satellites, navigation satellites (GLONASS), orbital station modules (Mir and ISS), as well as interplanetary spacecraft and satellites of the missile attack warning system.
International Launch Services Inc. (ILS), which markets the Russian Proton launch vehicle on the world market, and the Japanese Mitsubishi Electric Corporation (MELCO) have announced a contract to launch two communications satellites using Protons for the Turkish operator Turksat AS, the Khrunichev Center reported.
The Turksat 4A spacecraft will be launched in late 2013, the Turksat 4B satellite in early 2014. This is the first contract signed by ILS with the Japanese corporation Mitsubishi.
The satellites are to provide broadcast and broadband services throughout Turkey, Europe, Central Asia, the Middle East and Africa.
