Russian rocket to launch U.S. satellite

MOSCOW, Nov. 27 (UPI) -- An American telecommunications satellite arrived at a Russian space facility Friday for launch aboard a Russian rocket, officials said.

The DirecTV satellite will blast off Dec. 29 on a Proton-M rocket operated by International Launch Services, a joint U.S.-Russian venture, RIA Novosti reported.

The 6.6-ton satellite, made by Boeing, will join DirecTV's grouping and send high-definition TV, Internet and communications functions to U.S. subscribers.

The launch from the Baikonur space center will be the ninth Proton launch of 2009, RIA Novosti said. It will be the 350th overall for the rocket.