AKIPRESS.COM - The launch of a Proton-M Russian Carrier rocket, carrying the European Astra 2G satellite, has been postponed due to technical problems, a spokesperson for the Russian Space Agency's (Roscosmos) told RIA Novosti Wednesday.

"When checking the insertion upper stage [Briz-M] a fault in the command devices was detected, in this regard, it will be necessary to remove the rocket from the launch pad," the spokesperson said.

"A new launch date will be announced later," the Roscosmos representative added.

The Proton-M, built by the Khrunichev State Research and Production Space Center, is the largest carrier rocket in Russia's fleet of space launch vehicles. Since its first launch in 2001, the rocket has put dozens of Russian and foreign satellites into orbit.

The Astra 2G is a broadcast, VSAT and broadband services satellite that will provide the ability to connect Africa and Europe at a higher bandwidth.