**FAILURE: Rocket and payload lost during anomaly originating around the upper stage oxygen tank during propellant load few minutes before static fire on Sept 1, 1307UTC.** Built to replace the existing AMOS-2 satellite, AMOS-6 will be positioned in a geostationary orbit at 4 degrees west. The 5500kg craft will contain 43 Ku/Ka-band transponders and 2 S-band transponders to provide communications coverage for Africa, Europe and the Middle East. The 2 solar arrays on the craft will provide 9kW of power for the satellite’s 16 year expected lifetime.