The satellite, also known as Indostar 2, will be commercially operated for Indovision of Jakarta, the largest DTH operator in Indonesia.

The ILS Proton Breeze M launched the satellite from Pad 39 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome at 00.57 GMT.

Nine hours and 15 minutes later, the satellite was placed into its planned geo-transfer orbit. The satellite carries its own on board propulsion system for final geostationary placement.

Indostar 2 will be located at 107.7 degrees east and will replace the ageing Chakarawarta 1 which has been in an inclined orbit for over a year. The new satellite will provide higher power S band and Ku band capacity for Indonesia, and will also provide expanded coverage to India, the Phillipines and Taiwan.

The spacecraft weighed 4000 kg at launch, carries 27 Ku and 13 S band transponders, and has a projected lifetime of 15 years.