Proton
Proton Medium, International Launch Services’ answer to Falcon 9, put on “indefinite hold”
Russia has suspended development of the Proton Medium rocket that U.S.-based International Launch Services (ILS) began marketing two years ago as its answer to SpaceX’s Falcon 9.
New Roscosmos chief prioritizes ending Proton’s reign
In his first interview as head of Russia’s Roscosmos space corporation, Dmitry Rogozin confirmed reports of the venerable Proton rocket’s coming demise and suggested Russia is looking to make its segment of the ISS more autonomous.
Proton launches Russian defense comms satellite
Russia’s Proton rocket launched for the first time this year April 18 with a military communications satellite for the federation’s ministry of defense.
Baikonur Cosmodrome can support polar launches with Proton Medium, ILS says
International Launch Services says Russia’s Proton rocket will be better able to compete for constellation launches, along with other missions, thanks to new orbits accessible through an upcoming variant of the rocket.
ILS’s Pysher: Proton continues to reinvent itself to compete
The top executive with the U.S. firm that markets Russia's Proton rocket blasted what he characterized as a recent slew of misinformation surrounding the vehicle.
Proton returns after year hiatus with EchoStar-21 launch
Russia’s Proton rocket returned to service June 7, almost one year to the date from vehicle’s last flight, delivering a U.S. telecommunications satellite into geostationary transfer orbit.
A Proton rocket launched overnight on its first flight in a year
The Proton last launched almost exactly one year ago, having been grounded by technical issues since then.
Spaceport checkup delays Proton return to flight to June 7
The first launch of Russia’s Proton rocket in nearly a year is now scheduled for June 7, a nine-day slip driven by a review of the ground systems at the rocket’s launch site.
Nearly every engine stockpiled for use on upper stages of Proton rockets has defects, investigation concludes
The head of state rocket engine manufacturer Energomash, said that 71 engines require "complete overhauls" to correct defects found.
ILS plans larger Proton payload fairing, defers work on smaller Proton variant
International Launch Services is adding a larger payload fairing for its Proton rocket, but deferring development of one of two smaller versions of the vehicle announced last year.
ILS still planning three commercial launches this year despite Proton engine recall
International Launch Services, the commercial arm of Proton rocket manufacturer Khrunichev, says it still expects to complete all three launches planned for 2017 once Proton returns to flight.
