Name: Ekspress AM-44 & MD-1 — Proton-M Briz-M Enhanced
Start: 2009-02-11T00:03:00Z
End: 2009-02-11T00:03:00Z
Location: 200/39 (200L)

Question 1

What rocket is launching Ekspress AM-44 & MD-1?

Accepted Answer

Ekspress AM-44 & MD-1 is launching on the Proton-M Briz-M Enhanced.

Question 2

Who is launching Ekspress AM-44 & MD-1?

Accepted Answer

Ekspress AM-44 & MD-1 is being launched by Khrunichev State Research and Production Space Center, a government launch provider founded in 1916.

Question 3

Where is Ekspress AM-44 & MD-1 launching from?

Accepted Answer

Ekspress AM-44 & MD-1 is launching from 200/39 (200L) at Baikonur Cosmodrome, Republic of Kazakhstan.

Question 4

What orbit is Ekspress AM-44 & MD-1 heading to?

Accepted Answer

Ekspress AM-44 & MD-1 is heading to Geostationary Orbit (Direct-GEO).

Question 5

Is the Proton-M Briz-M Enhanced reusable?

Accepted Answer

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

Question 6

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

Accepted Answer

The Proton-M Briz-M Enhanced has launched 33 times to date, with 30 successful flights.

Question 7

What is the Ekspress AM-44 & MD-1 mission?

Accepted Answer

Two Russian geostationary communications satellites

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.

Ekspress AM-44 & MD-1

Overview

Mission details

Launch Window

200/39 (200L)

Baikonur Cosmodrome, Republic of Kazakhstan

Frequently asked questions