OREANDA-NEWS. On Feb.11, at 03:03 Moscow time, Proton-M lifted off from Baikonur to orbit Express AM-44 and Express-MD1 communication satellites.Breeze-M upper stage injected the satellites into the orbit, after separation of the third stage at 03:12.

Express-AM44 is planned to separate in 9h 12m, Express-MD1 will separate in 9h 27m. Both satellites are intended for the orbital constellation of the Kosmicheskaya Sviaz operator.

Express MD-1 has been developed by Khrunichev Space Center jointly with the Italian Thales Alenia Space, and under the order of the Kosmicheskaya Sviaz (Space Communication) Federal Company. It is intended for permanent data relay services in the satellite communication and broadcasting system of the Russian Federation. Express MD-1 orbital lifetime is 10 years, launch mass-1140kg.

Express-AM44 has been developed by Reshetnev Informational Satellite Systems company, together with French Thales Alenia Space. It is intended for communication services, TV-broadcast. Express-AM44 orbital lifetime is 12years, launch mass- 2560kg. Proton-M and Breeze-M are manufactured by Khrunichev Space Center.