* Astronomy

Launch preparations for the АМC-23 (WorldSat-3) AMERICOM 23 communications satellite for SES AMERICOM are still on schedule.

Fuelling of the main propulsion system of Breeze-M upper stage is scheduled to take place at the Fuelling Station of Site 31 of Baikonur on November 21-23, 2005.
The Launch of the Proton-M space rocket with Breeze-M upper stage and AMS-23 communications satellite from Site 200 of Baikonur Cosmodrome, in Kazakhstan, is scheduled for December 1, 2005.

WorldSat-3 is an advanced, high-powered hybrid C/Ku-band satellite,, 138 watt channels, that will operate over the pacific region. the satellite will weigh about 4,850 kg at launch, with beginning-of-life electrical power of 13 kW, and a design life exceeding 15 years.



Based on a Spacebus 4100 platform, WorldSat-3 will feature a 60 transponder C-band payload with a 20 channel Ku-band payload covering all major airline corridors over the Pacific (174.3° West, 172° East).



Currently, the SN4 satellite is operated in an orbit of 172°East longitude, and provides a wide coverage of Japan, Asia, North America and Oceania. It will be used until WorldSat-3 comes into service.

The Proton vehicle, built by Khrunichev State Research and Production Space Center of Moscow, is the workhorse of the Russian launchers. It has amassed more than 300 flights over nearly 40 years of Russian federal missions and eight years of commercial flights under the auspices of ILS.