Russia's Proton Is Adapting To Future Markets
ILS Offers Proton Variants For Smaller Payloads, ILS
“International Launch Services (ILS) announces a product line extension of the Proton Breeze M commercial launch vehicle designed to expand the addressable GEO market for cost effective launch solutions in the small and medium satellite class range (3 to 5 metric tons). Designated as “Proton Variants,” these two additional vehicles will be optimized 2-stage versions of the time tested and flight proven Proton Breeze M launch system for exclusive commercial use by ILS.”
Seems like a very straightforward “innovation”. Curious that it’s never been proposed before.
I was sort of hoping that Proton could be retired soon. The world doesn’t need more Proton launches. Why prolong the life of this toxic-gas belching beast?