The first launch of the new modification of the Proton-M carrier rocket will be conducted in 2019, the press service of Russia's Roscosmos State Space Corporation said Tuesday.
The Proton-M is the largest carrier rocket in Russia's fleet of space launch vehicles. The rocket has lifted dozens of Russian and foreign satellites into orbit since it was first commissioned into service in 2001.
"On October 5, 2016, as part of the strategic package deal with Eutelsat company, the first contract was signed on the launch of a spacecraft with the use of the new modification of the Proton-M carrier rocket – medium-lift Proton-M, in 2019," the statement read.
According to the statement, Russia's Khrunichev State Research and Production Space Center plans to launch a total of 15 Protons before 2023.
ArianeGroup signs contract with ESA to develop Prometheus engine
The European Space Agency and Airbus Safran Launchers, the 50/50 joint-venture set up by the Airbus and Safran groups, which will become ArianeGroup on July 1, have signed, at the Paris Air Show, the first tranche of the development contract for the future Prometheus LOx-methane engine.
"This signing underlines our determination to prepare now for the future of Europe's launchers beyond 20 … read more
