The AMC-15 telecommunications satellite, designed and built for Princeton, N.J.-based satellite operator SES Americom by Bethesda, Md.’s Lockheed Martin [LMT], is entering the final stages of preparation for an Oct. 15 launch from the Baikonur Cosmodrome aboard a Proton/Breeze M launch vehicle.

The rocket, marketed by McLean, Va.-based International Launch Services, will carry a satellite featuring one of America’s first payloads operating at Ka-band frequencies. The AMC-15 is designed with 12 125 MHz Ka-band spot beams and with 24 36 MHz transponders of Ku-band capacity.

EchoStar Communications [DISH], the second-largest U.S. direct broadcast satellite (DBS) services operator, will use both payloads on AMC-15, one of four Lockheed Martin-built satellites ILS is launching in 2004 for SES Americom. AMC-10 and AMC-11 were launched on Atlas IIAS vehicles in February and May, while AMC-16 will be launched on an Atlas V in December.