Alternative launch vehicles are under consideration by SES Americom and International Launch Services (ILS) to carry the AMC 9 satellite into orbit. The SES Americom satellite’s scheduled launch in January was delayed due to a Proton rocket malfunction during a November that left the SES Astra 1K satellite in a lower- than-planned orbit.

ILS officials met in Moscow with members of the Russian state commission that investigated the failure and are discussing alternatives with SES about using rockets other than the Proton/Block DM launch vehicle. Options include the Proton Breeze M rocket or a Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT]-built Atlas, SES and ILS officials said.