Editing Proton (rocket family) (section)

==Proton-M==
{{Main|Proton-M}}
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The initial version of Proton M, could launch {{convert|3|-|3.2|t|lb}} into [[geostationary orbit]] or {{convert|5.5|t|lb}} into a [[geostationary transfer orbit]]. It could place up to {{convert|22|t|lb}} in low Earth orbit with a 51.6-degree inclination, the orbit of the International Space Station (ISS).

The Proton M's improvements included lower stage modifications to reduce structural mass, increase thrust, and fully use propellants. Generally a [[Briz-M]] ({{langx|ru|Бриз}} meaning ''Breeze'') storable propellant upper stage is used instead of the [[Blok D]] or [[Blok DM]] stage, removing the need for multiple fuel supplies and oxygen top-off due to boiling; the Proton-M also flew with a Blok-DM upper stage. Efforts were also made to reduce dependency on foreign (usually Ukrainian) component suppliers. With the Briz-M upper stage, the payload fairing diameter is 4.1&nbsp;m (13.45&nbsp;ft).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ilslaunch.com/launch-vehicle/proton-breeze-m/|title=Proton Breeze M – ILS|website=www.ilslaunch.com|language=en-US|access-date=2019-11-09}}</ref>

Proton launch vehicles and Briz-M upper stages are designed and built by Khrunichev State Research and Production Space Center (Khrunichev) in Moscow, the majority owner of International Launch Services (ILS). The center is home to all engineering, assembly and test functions of Proton production. With the recent consolidation of the Russian space enterprises, Khrunichev has direct oversight and control of up to 70% of all Proton manufacturing from suppliers to manufacturers. The consolidation directly supports Khrunichev's ongoing efforts for vertical integration of Proton production.<ref name="ilslaunch3">{{cite web|url=http://www.ilslaunch.com/sites/default/files/pdf/ILS%20Proton%20Brochure.pdf|date=4 March 2011|title=Experience ILS: Achieve Your Mission|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120117041434/http://www.ilslaunch.com/sites/default/files/pdf/ILS%20Proton%20Brochure.pdf |archive-date=17 January 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

=== Phase III ===
An enhanced variant, the Phase III Proton-M/Briz-M launch vehicle, was flight proven on the Russian Federal dual mission of Express AM-44 and Express MD-1 in February 2009 and performed its first commercial launch in March 2010 with the Echostar XIV satellite. The Proton-M/Briz-M phase III configuration provides 6150&nbsp;kg of GTO performance, an increase of 1150&nbsp;kg over the original Proton-M Briz-M, while maintaining the fundamental design configuration.

On 6 August 2012, the Russian Federal Space Agency lost a Russian and an Indonesian communications satellite in an attempt to launch them into orbit on a Proton-M due to technical difficulties with the last stage.<ref name="latimes">{{cite web|url=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/world_now/2012/08/russia-suffers-another-embarrassing-failure-in-space-.html|title=News from around the world|date=7 August 2012|publisher=latimesblogs.latimes.com|access-date=13 September 2014}}</ref>

On 2 July 2013, a Proton-M launching three [[GLONASS]] navigation satellites experienced a failure reminiscent of the 1960s disasters shortly after liftoff when the booster crashed near LC-39 at Baikonour, ending a 30-year unbroken stretch without a first stage failure; all future Proton flights were suspended pending investigation.<ref name="rswproton">{{cite web |url=http://russianspaceweb.com/proton_glonass49.html |title=Russia's Proton crashes with a trio of navigation satellites |date=2 July 2013 |publisher=Russian Space Web}}</ref> The accident was eventually determined to be caused by the rate gyro package having been installed upside-down. Due to the difficulty of installing the package incorrectly, it was widely suspected that it had been done deliberately by a disgruntled or drunk worker at the Khrunichev plant.{{citation needed|date=February 2022}}

On 15 May 2014, a Proton-M/Briz-M carrying an Ekspress satellite suffered a third stage failure from a bad turbopump bearing. Debris fell in Manchuria. On 21 October, another Ekspress satellite was left in a useless orbit when the Briz stage cut off 24 seconds too early.

On 16 May 2015, a [[Mexican Satellite System|MEXSAT]] communications satellite failed to orbit due to another third stage malfunction, the eighth Proton failure since 2010.

=== Phase IV ===
Khrunichev has initiated development of a set of phase IV enhancements in order to keep pace with market demands and the mass growth trends of commercial satellites. The implementation of Phase IV Proton Briz-M enhancements were completed in 2016. The payload mass performance for phase IV has been increased to 6320&nbsp;kg to a reference GTO orbit with 1500&nbsp;m/s of residual [[delta V]] to GSO.<ref name="ilslaunch4">{{cite web|url=http://www.ilslaunch.com/launch-services/ils-proton-breeze-m-launch-vehicle/proton-heritage|title=Commercial Launch Heritage &#124; Proton Rocket &#124; International Launch Services|publisher=ilslaunch.com|access-date=13 September 2014}}</ref>