Editor's Note: A Proton rocket has reportedly crashed after launching an advanced Russian communications satellite toward space from Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan, on Friday, May 16, 2014 local time. Full Story: Russian Rocket Carrying Advanced Satellite Crashes After Launch: Reports
The Proton series of rockets was first launched in 1965. Proton rockets were used to launch Salyut, Mir and International Space Station modules as well as probes to the moon, Mars and Venus.
The Proton rocket stands 174 feet tall (53 meters) and has three main stages. The Breeze-M fourth stage can be restarted to put payloads into high orbit.
The Proton-M carries UDMH fuel (unsymmetrical dimethylhydrazine) and N2O4 oxidizer (nitrogen tetroxide) in its main stages. The Breeze-M fourth stage runs on liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen.
The Proton-M rocket program has recently been plagued by failures. On July 1, 2013, a Proton-M carrying three Glonass navigation satellites (the Russian equivalent of GPS satellites) shut down its engines 17 seconds into its flight and crashed in a devastating explosion. You can see video of the Proton-M rocket crash here.
Proton-M rocket crash story: Russian Rocket Explodes and Crashes In Failed Launch
Join our Space Forums to keep talking space on the latest missions, night sky and more! And if you have a news tip, correction or comment, let us know at: community@space.com.
