Turksat 4A will be sent into space from Baikonur on February 15

The launch  of the rocket "Proton-M" with the Turkish communications satellite Turksat 4A from Baikonur is scheduled for February 15.

"The telecommunications spacecraft Turksat 4A is to be delivered to Baikonur by aircraft. After customs procedures the satellite will be delivered to the assembly and testing building, where it will be set to stand in the finishing room for further preparation for the launch," RIA Novosti quotes the press service of the Russian Space Agency.

Its autonomous tests will begin in the next few days. It will include a series of electrical and functional inspections, and refueling the spacecraft's propellants.

Turksat 4A belongs to the Turkish satellite operator Turksat AS and is designed to provide TV services and broadband to Turkey, Europe, Central Asia, the Middle East and Africa.

The spacecraft of about 3800 kg is made by the Japanese corporation Mitsubishi Electric (MELCO) on the basis of the modular platform DS2000 MELCO. Transponders of Ku-, Ka- and C-band ranges are located on board the spacecraft.