The Proton-M carrier rocket with the Dutch SES-4 (NSS-14) satellite was installed on a launch pad at the Baikonur space center, the Russian space agency Roscosmos said on Wednesday.

The launch, initially scheduled for December 26, was postponed until January 28 to fix malfunctions in the rocket's upper stage.

"After the carrier rocket was installed at the launch pad, specialists of Russia's aerospace industry have begun preparations under the first day of launch schedule," Roscosmos press service said in a statement.

SES-4 will be the biggest and most powerful spacecraft of the SES satellite grouping created by U.S. company Space Systems/Loral for Dutch operator SES World Skies. The life span of the 5.8-tonne satellite is 15 years.

SES-4 is equipped with 52 C-band transponders and 72 Ku-band transformers and will provide communication services in Europe, the Middle East, West Africa, and Northern and Central America.

Source: RIA Novosti