The launch of the Russian Proton-M carrier rocket with the Express-AMU1 communications satellite was postponed amid bad weather conditions, a representative of Russia's space agency Roscosmos told RIA Novosti.
The launch was originally scheduled for December 24, 00:31 Moscow time (December 23, 21:31 GMT).
"A decision has been made to reschedule the launch for a backup date – for December 25 – because of unfavorable weather conditions in the launch pad area at Baikonur [space center in Kazakhstan]," the representative said early on Thursday.
The Express-AMU1 communications satellite is to provide coverage of the European part of Russia and also ensure service continuity and growth for broadcast markets in Africa. It is equipped with 70 transponders.











