Proton rocket with Canadian satellite to be launched Dec. 10

MOSCOW, November 17 (RIA Novosti) - The launch of a Proton-M rocket with a Ciel 2 Canadian telecommunications satellite on board has been scheduled for December 10 from the Baikonur space center which Russia leases from Kazakhstan.

"By the end of November it is planned to prepare the rocket's three stages and the acceleration unit, as well as the payload fairing, the adapter system and the Ciel 2 spacecraft for subsequent assembly as part of the rocket," the Khrunichev space center said on Monday.

The Ciel 2 has been produced by Thales Alenia Space (France) on an order from Ciel Satellite Group - a new Canadian satellite communications operator.

International Launch Services Inc. signed a contract to launch the Ciel 2 using a Proton-M carrier rocket. ILS's controlling stake is owned by the Khrunichev center, which develops and produces Proton and Angara carrier rockets.

There have been eight launches of the Russian Proton rocket as part of federal and commercial programs since the start of the year.