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Proton Rocket

LAUNCH VEHICLE
1965–PresentACTIVE PERIOD
Roscosmos / KhrunichevAGENCY
425FLIGHTS
89%SUCCESS RATE
RussiaCOUNTRY
ABOUT PROTON ROCKET

The Proton is a heavy-lift launch vehicle that has been a cornerstone of the Soviet and Russian space programs since 1965. With over 400 launches, it has delivered space station modules, interplanetary probes, and commercial GEO satellites. Despite a higher failure rate than Western counterparts, its lower cost made it competitive in the commercial market.

NOTABLE MISSIONS
🚀 Salyut stations
🚀 Mir core module
🚀 Zarya ISS module
🚀 ExoMars TGO
🚀 Commercial GEO satellites
LEGACY & LASTING IMPACT
Launched Salyut, Mir, and ISS modules; workhorse of Russian heavy-lift capability
PROGRAM DETAILS
CategoryLaunch Vehicle
EraMulti-era
AgencyRoscosmos / Khrunichev
CountryRussia
Start Date1965-07-16
Total Flights425
Success Rate89%
SuccessorAngara A5
PROGRAM COST
Original Cost~$65M per launch
Inflation-Adjusted~$65M (2020)
KEY FIGURES
  • 👤 Vladimir Chelomei
  • 👤 Khrunichev Center
TECHNOLOGIES DEVELOPED
  • ⚙ RD-253/275 engines
  • ⚙ Storable hypergolic propellants
  • ⚙ Briz-M upper stage

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