ASTANA. Nov 23 (Interfax-AVN) - Kazakhstan's Prime Minister Karim Masimov has not signed a government resolution permitting the launch of the Proton-M launch vehicle with the European Eutelsat-W7 satellite from Baikonur yet, the National Space Agency (Kazcosmos) told Interfax on Monday.
"The Kazakh side put off the launch of the Proton-M for one single reason - the prime minister has not yet signed a government resolution authorizing today's launch," a spokesman said.
He added that the launch of the Proton-M expected on November 23 was unscheduled.
"It was not on the annual plan of rocket launches from Baikonur approved by the government of Kazakhstan. However, Kazcomos wanting to meet its Russian colleagues half way drafted and coordinated a separate resolution permitting this Proton-M launch. The resolution has been tabled to the prime minister," the spokesman said.
However, he failed to name any new launch date for the Proton-M.
"When the premier comes to his office, he will sign it," the spokesman said.