OREANDA-NEWS. November 12, 2008. Today, the foreign experts commenced prelaunch processing of the Ciel-2 satellite at Baikonur`s site 92, in the integration and test facility.

Ciel-2 has been delivered to Baikonur on Nov. 11, at 13:35 Moscow time, by Ruslan airplane provided by the Polyot company.

Proton-M launcher / Breeze-M upper stage are scheduled to loft Canadian Ciel-2 on Dec. 10, 2008.

Ciel 2 is a Spacebus 4000 C4 model satellite, the largest Spacebus class satellite built by Alcatel Alenia Space, with a mass of 5,575 kg. From its assigned orbital position of 129 degrees West longitude, the high-powered Ku-band spacecraft will deliver a variety of communications services throughout Canada and the larger North American market. Ciel-2 estimated life-time is 15 years.