20.11.2012 International Launch Services (ILS) have launched their Proton-M rocket from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Launch was on schedule at 18:31 GMT, with the Proton’s Briz-M (Breeze-M) Upper Stage tasked with deploying the EchoStar XVI communications satellite into its desired orbit, after nine hours of flight.

Proton M Launch:

The Proton booster that was used to launch the satellite was 4.1 m (13.5 ft) in diameter along its second and third stages, with a first stage diameter of 7.4 m (24.3 ft). Overall height of the three stages of the Proton booster is 42.3 m (138.8 ft).

The Proton vehicle has a heritage of nearly 400 launches since 1965 and is built by Khrunichev Research and State Production Center, one of the pillars of the global space industry and the majority owner of ILS.