Proton (rocket family)

Proton 8K82K

Launch of a Proton-K rocket carrying the Zvezda module to the ISS.
Function	Heavy-lift launch vehicle
Manufacturer	Khrunichev State Research and Production Space Center Chemical Automatics Design Bureau
Country of origin	Soviet Union · Russia
Size
Height	53 m (174 ft)
Diameter	7.4 m (24 ft)
Mass	693,810 kg (1,529,590 lb), 3 stage
Stages	Proton-K: 3 Proton-M: 4
Capacity
Payload to LEO
Mass	23,700 kg (52,200 lb)[1]
Payload to GTO
Mass	6,300 kg (13,900 lb)[1]
Launch history
Status	Active
Launch sites	Baikonur, LC-200 & LC-81
Total launches	430 Proton: 4 Proton-K: 311 Proton-M: 115
Success(es)	382 Proton: 3 Proton-K: 275 Proton-M: 104
Failure(s)	44 Proton: 1 Proton-K: 34 Proton-M: 9
Partial failure(s)	4 Proton-K: 2 Proton-M: 2
First flight	Proton: 16 July 1965 Proton-K: 10 March 1967 Proton-M: 7 April 2001
Last flight	Proton: 6 July 1966 Proton-K: 30 March 2012 Proton-M: 12 March 2023
Type of passengers/cargo	Salyut 6 Salyut 7 Mir (all components except Docking Module) ISS components (Zarya, Zvezda, Nauka) ViaSat-1 GLONASS ExoMars Spektr-RG Eutelsat 5 West B
First stage
Powered by	6 × RD-275
Maximum thrust	10,470 kN (2,350,000 lbf)
Burn time	126 seconds
Propellant	N2O4/UDMH
Second stage
Powered by	3 × RD-0210 & 1 × RD-0211
Maximum thrust	2,399 kN (539,000 lbf)[2]
Specific impulse	327 s (3.21 km/s)
Burn time	208 seconds
Propellant	N2O4/UDMH
Third stage
Powered by	1 × RD-0212
Maximum thrust	630 kN (140,000 lbf)
Specific impulse	325 s (3.19 km/s)
Burn time	238 seconds
Propellant	N2O4/UDMH
Fourth stage – Blok-D/DM
Powered by	1 × RD-58M
Maximum thrust	83.4 kN (18,700 lbf)
Specific impulse	349 s (3.42 km/s)
Burn time	770 seconds
Propellant	LOX/RP-1
[edit on Wikidata]

Proton (Russian: Протон, formal designation: UR-500) is an expendable launch system used for both commercial and Russian government space launches. The first Proton rocket was launched in 1965. Modern versions of the launch system are still in use as of 2023^[update], making it one of the most successful heavy boosters in the history of spaceflight. The components of all Protons are manufactured in the Khrunichev State Research and Production Space Center factory in Moscow and Chemical Automatics Design Bureau^[3] in Voronezh, then transported to the Baikonur Cosmodrome, where they are assembled at Site 91 to form the launch vehicle.^[4] Following payload integration, the rocket is then brought to the launch pad horizontally by rail, and raised into vertical position for launch.^[5][6]

As with many Soviet rockets, the names of recurring payloads became associated with the launch vehicle itself. The moniker "Proton" originates from a series of similarly named scientific satellites, which were among the rocket's first payloads. During the Cold War, it was designated the D-1/D-1e or SL-12/SL-13 by Western intelligence agencies.

Launch capacity to low Earth orbit is about 22.8 tonnes (50,000 lb).^[7] Geostationary transfer capacity is about 6.3 tonnes (14,000 lb).^[8] Commercial launches are marketed by International Launch Services (ILS).^[9]

In 2013, the rocket was intended to be retired before 2030.^[10] As of June 2018^[update], production on the Proton rocket is ceasing as the new Angara launch vehicle comes on line and becomes operational. No new launch service contracts for Proton are likely to be signed.^[11]