Today, on Tuesday, Proton-M booster with Eutelsat-9B European telecommunication satellite was installed on the launchpad of Baikonur spaceport as planned, – Khrunichev Centre representative reports.

The first launch of Russian booster in 2016 is to take place at 01:20, Moscow time, at January 30.

Proton-M booster and Briz-M upper stage will orbit European telecommunication satellite Eutelsat-9B.

“Proton-M booster with European satellite Eutelsat-9B was transported to the launchpad #200 and erected”. – official message says.

The upcoming launch will be performed in the framework of the long-term contract between International Launch Services Company (ILS) and one of the leading satellite telecommunication operators Eutelsat Communications (Paris, France) concluded in October 2015.

For the last 15 years 11 Eutelsat space devices has been launched with the help of Proton boosters.

Eutelsat-9B was designed to provide broadcasting and communication services for Northland and Baltic countries, the satellite was produced by French defence and space department of European Airbus Group.  Launch weight of the satellite is approximately 5162 kilos.

Proton booster and Briz-M upper stage were developed and are produced by Khrunichev Space Centre. Proton-M modernized booster is able to insert into geostationary transfer orbit payloads heavier than 6 tons.