International Launch Services signed a contract with Gazprom...

International Launch Services signed a contract with Gazprom Space Systems of Russia to launch the Yamal-601 satellite. The launch is scheduled for 2016, ILS said in a news release (http://bit.ly/1aN5y7a). The satellite will be built by Thales Alenia and will replace Yamal-202 to provide fixed communications and transmission services in C band over Europe, the Middle East, North Africa and Southeast Asia, it said. Positioned at 49 degrees east, Yamal-601 also is designed for development of business in Ku and Ka bands in the Russian market, ILS said.