Proton (rocket family )

Proton is an expendable launch system used for both commercial and Russian government space launches.  Proton initially started its life as a  ICBM. It was designed to launch a 100-megaton (or larger) thermonuclear weapon over a distance of 13,000 km   but due to its huge size it was never deployed in that role. The first Proton Launch was made in 1965. During the first five years of operation, it experienced dozens of failures . Modern versions of the launch system are still in use making it one of the most successful heavy boosters.

 

Protons are built at the Khrunichev State Research and Production Space Center plant in Moscow. These are  brought to the launch pad horizontally, and raised into vertical position for launch.. Proton-M is also a three-stage rocket with the capability to support an upper stage. Block D/DM and  Breeze-M Upper Stages are used on top of the Proton to enable the heavy-lift vehicle to deliver its payloads to a variety of orbits and trajectories.Proton can launch  about 20.7 tonnes to LEO and 6.15 tonnes to GTO . Commercial launches are marketed by International Launch Services (ILS) . The Proton Family has more than 400 Launches under its belt keeping a success rate of nearly 90%. Notable payloads included modules of the Russian Salyut and Mir Space Stations as well as the Zarya and Zvezda Modules of the International Space Station.