Proton-MBriz-M Enhanced / launch vehicle
sourcingtypical 4/5 · 16 factsThe Proton-M is an expendable Russian heavy-lift launch vehicle built by Khrunichev and derived from the Soviet-era Proton rocket, flown from Baikonur Cosmodrome since its first launch on 7 April 2001. Commercial missions are marketed by International Launch Services. The type has flown 116 times with 105 successes as of February 2026, carrying government and commercial satellites to geostationary transfer orbit as well as modules to the International Space Station, including the Nauka laboratory in July 2021.
key details
figures describe the Briz-M Enhanced configuration where sourced
faq
Who builds Proton-M?
Proton-M is built by Khrunichev State Research and Production Space Center. (source, as of 2026-07-13)
How many times has Proton-M flown?
Proton-M has flown 116 times. (source, as of 2026-07-13)
When did Proton-M first fly?
Proton-M first flew on 2001-04-07. (source, as of 2026-07-13)
Is Proton-M reusable?
Proton-M is not reusable. (source, as of 2026-07-13)
facts
timeline
- 20212021-07-21launchProton-M launches the Nauka module to the International Space Station (source, as of 2026-07-13)
- 20132013-07-02incidentProton-M explodes seconds after liftoff, losing three GLONASS satellitesoutcome: Launch Failurecause: First-stage angular velocity sensors were installed in the wrong orientation, eliminating yaw control. (source, as of 2026-07-13)
- 20122012-12-08incidentYamal-402 partial launch failureoutcome: Launch was a Partial Failurecause: The Breeze-M upper stage shutdown several minutes early leaving the payload in an lower than intended orbit. (source, as of 2026-07-16)
- 2012-08-06incidentTelkom-3 & Ekspress MD2 launch failureoutcome: Launch Failure (source, as of 2026-07-16)
- 20112011-08-17incidentEkspress AM-4 launch failureoutcome: Launch Failure (source, as of 2026-07-16)
- 20102010-12-05incidentProton-M fails, losing three GLONASS satellites after upper stage overloadoutcome: Launch Failurecause: The upper stage was overloaded with excess liquid oxygen and failed to reach orbital velocity. (source, as of 2026-07-13)
- 20072007-09-05incidentProton-M fails when its first and second stages do not separate, losing JCSAT-11outcome: Launch Failurecause: A damaged pyrotechnic firing cable prevented stage separation. (source, as of 2026-07-13)
- 20012001-04-07launchProton-M makes its maiden flight, carrying the Ekran-M satellite (source, as of 2026-07-13)
sources
Includes data from Gunter's Space Page: doc_lau/proton-m_briz-m.htm