On August 17, 2011 at 21:25 UTC the "Proton-M” rocket-carrier with a Breeze M upper stage was launched from Baykonur Cosmodrome. The rocket was to orbit the "Express-AM4” communications satellite.
After the launch Russia lost contact with a Breeze M upper stage and a powerful communications satellite.
The Express AM4 spacecraft, built by EADS Astrium, was designed to provide communications coverage over Russia and neighboring countries for the next 15 years. The satellite was to be operated by the Russian Satellite Communications Co., the country's state civil satellite operator.
