Proton's Long-Awaited Comeback Mission
Russia's Proton Rocket is ready for a long-awaited return to flight mission, almost a full year after the heavy-lifter last took flight from its remote Kazakhstan launch base. The vehicle was kept on the ground after potential weaknesses were discovered on the rocket's second and third stage engines - requiring a lengthy refurbishment process.
Carrying EchoStar-21, the Proton-M is targeting liftoff on June 8, 2017 on an all-day ascent mission that begins with a ten-minute ride on the three-stage Proton before the Briz-M upper stage takes over for a five-burn, nine-hour mission profile.
Live Video by International Launch Services (Russian Coverage)
Launch Date: June 8, 2017 | Launch Updates |
Launch Time: 03:45 UTV | EchoStar-21 Overview |
Launch Site: Site 81/24, Baikonur Cosmodrome | Proton-M Launch Vehicle |
Launch Vehicle: Proton-M/Briz-M (Ph.4) | Countdown Timeline |
Payload: EchoStar-21 (6,871kg) | Launch Profile |
Ascent Duration: 9 Hours & 13 Minutes | Russian Archive |
Target Orbit: 2,300 x 35,786km, 30.5° |