Boeing

The Boeing [NYSE: BA] Delta launch team and Hughes Space and Communications are preparing to launch the first western-built satellite purchased for use in Russia.

BONUM-1, a Hughes HS 376 high power satellite, will be launched Nov. 19 for the BONUM-1 subsidiary of Media Most, a private Russian media group. A three-stage Delta II rocket will carry the satellite into orbit, where it will provide direct-to-home, digital television services to western Russia.

The first of two launch windows opens at 6:22 p.m. EST and closes at 7:03 p.m. EST. A second nine-minute window opens at 9:14 p.m. EST. The rocket will place the satellite into geosynchronous transfer orbit approximately 75 minutes after liftoff.

"This launch is reflective of the global nature of our industry," said Darryl Van Dorn, director of commercial and NASA Delta programs. "Nearly half of our launches next year are for international commercial communications companies. The vast majority of our business is providing launch services to satisfy the world's hunger for information services."

The satellite will carry direct-to-home (DTH) television programming by NTV-Plus, another Media Most subsidiary and the largest Russian DTH network. BONUM-1 contains eight active Ku-band transponders, which, as a result of digital compression technology, will be capable of providing up to 50 channels. The satellite will be located at 36 degrees East longitude and will have a service life of 11 years.

This is the second Delta launch from Cape Canaveral in less than one month, and the twelfth Delta launch of the year.

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