* Astronomy

The three lower stages of the Proton had completed their firings and separated as planned during the first 10 minutes of the flight, . The Khrunichev-built Breeze M upper stage's main engine then ignited a few moments later to ascend into a 108-mile-high parking orbit. ILS reported that the burn had occurred as scheduled, ending at T plus 14 minutes, 45 seconds.

It was during the three more engine firings that were planned by the Breeze M and attached satellite payload over the next three-and-a-half hours to propel the 7,366-pound satellite to geosynchronous transfer that the failure occurred.
Exactly when, isn't clear at the moment. Preliminary flight information indicates that the Breeze M upper stage shut down early during its planned burn sequence. As a contingency, the satellite was separated. ILS did not comment on the disposition of the spacecraft at this time.

"The satellite was not put into the proper orbit due to a malfunction on the Briz-M booster" - spokesman, Federal Space Agency.