Name: Arabsat 4A — Proton-M Briz-M
Start: 2006-02-28T20:10:00Z
End: 2006-02-28T20:10:00Z
Location: 200/39 (200L)

Question 1

What rocket is launching Arabsat 4A?

Accepted Answer

Arabsat 4A is launching on the Proton-M Briz-M.

Question 2

Who is launching Arabsat 4A?

Accepted Answer

Arabsat 4A is being launched by Khrunichev State Research and Production Space Center, a government launch provider founded in 1916.

Question 3

Where is Arabsat 4A launching from?

Accepted Answer

Arabsat 4A is launching from 200/39 (200L) at Baikonur Cosmodrome, Republic of Kazakhstan.

Question 4

What orbit is Arabsat 4A heading to?

Accepted Answer

Arabsat 4A is heading to Geostationary Orbit (Direct-GEO).

Question 5

Is the Proton-M Briz-M reusable?

Accepted Answer

No — the Proton-M Briz-M is an expendable launch vehicle.

Question 6

How many times has the Proton-M Briz-M flown?

Accepted Answer

The Proton-M Briz-M has launched 68 times to date, with 62 successful flights.

Question 7

What is the Arabsat 4A mission?

Accepted Answer

The Arabsat-4 spacecraft are based on the Eurostar-2000+ version of the Eurostar satellite family. Both satellites received the names Badr-1 and Badr-4 respectively in February 2006. Badr 1 did not reach its planned orbit, when the upper stage of the Proton-M Briz-M (Ph.3) launch vehicle failed. After evaluating a lunar fly-by maneuvre to rescue the satellite, Badr 1 was deorbited on 24.03.2006 over the pacific.

Question 8

Where is the Baikonur Cosmodrome?

Accepted Answer

Baikonur Cosmodrome is in Kazakhstan and is the world's first and largest operational spaceport, founded in 1955. Russia's Roscosmos operates it on territory leased from Kazakhstan under an agreement running to 2050.

Question 9

What launches from Baikonur?

Accepted Answer

Baikonur remains a major hub for Russian crewed and uncrewed missions, with Soyuz rockets flying from active pads such as Site 31/6. The historic 'Gagarin's Start' (Site 1/5) has been retired from regular service.

Question 10

Why is Baikonur historically important?

Accepted Answer

Baikonur launched both the first satellite, Sputnik 1 in 1957, and the first human in space, Yuri Gagarin aboard Vostok 1 in 1961 — the two events that opened the Space Age.

Question 11

Can you visit the Baikonur Cosmodrome?

Accepted Answer

Baikonur is a restricted military and space facility in a remote part of Kazakhstan, with no casual public viewing. Visits are possible only through pre-arranged official or specialist tours with advance permits, usually timed around a launch.

Arabsat 4A

Overview

Mission details

Launch Window

200/39 (200L)

Baikonur Cosmodrome, Republic of Kazakhstan

Frequently asked questions