A Proton rocket has successfully launched the Express AM44 and Express MD1 communications satellites from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan at 00:03 GMT Wednesday (3:03 a.m. msk).
The satellites entered orbit at 09:29 GMT.
The 2,500 kilogram Express AM44 satellite, built by ISS Reshetnev, will replace the Express-A3 satellite and operate in a geostationary orbit at 11 degrees west.
The 1,100 kilogram Express MD1 satellite, built by Khrunichev, with a Thales Alenia payload, weighed about at launch and will operate at the 80 degrees east orbital position.
Read more (Khrunichev press release)