OREANDA-NEWS. January 14, 2010. The Intelsat 16 telecommunication satellite has arrived at Baikonur launch site to begin preparation for a launch aboard a Proton M launcher. The satellite was built by Orbital Sciences Corporation for satellite operator Intelsat, reported the press-centre of Khrunichev Space Center.
 
 The Intelsat 16 was delivered to the Yubileiny airport on an Antonov cargo plane AN 124-100 “Ruslan” today. 
 
Containers with the spacecraft and its ground support equipment will be transported from the airport into Proton launcher integration building (“MIK” 92-A50), where the rocket and payload undergo pre-launch operations. 
 
Throughout the next few days, the equipment required for spacecraft testing will be installed inside a clean room. After this the OSC team will began standalone spacecraft operations. These activities include a series of tests of the spacecraft and its fuelling.
 
A three–stage Proton rocket, which will use a Breeze KM upper stage  to deliver the Intelsat 16 in orbit, has been brought to the launch site earlier. The Khrunichev personnel have already begun assembling the launch vehicle in the “MIK”.
 
International Launch Services Inc. (ILS) has been awarded a contract for launch of the Intelsat 16 on a Proton launcher. Proton Breeze M LV is produced by Khrunichev Space Center, the majority interest holder in ILS.
 
The Intelsat 16 satellite is scheduled for launch in February. This will be the  Proton 1st commercial  flight in 2010 year.