The train with the "Proton-M" launch vehicle, the "Briz-M" upper stage, the head fairing and the transition system, designed to launch the powerful geostationary satellite "Yamal-601" in the interests of the Russian satellite communications operator Gazprom Space Systems, sent from the manufacturer Khrunichev Space Center in Moscow to the Baikonur cosmodrome. The "Yamal-601" satellite was manufactured by the French company Thales Alenia Space France according to the order of Gazprom Space Systems for the renovation and development of the Russian orbital "Yamal" group. On February 25, 2015 Khrunichev Space Center and Gazprom Space Systems signed a strategic cooperation agreement and a contract on the use of the "Proton" launch vehicle for launching the "Yamal-601" communications satellite. This was the fourth direct contract, signed by the Khrunichev Space Center and Gazprom Space Systems as part of the cooperation to develop the "Yamal" orbital group.

On the night of Tuesday, February 26, the train with the "Proton-M" launch vehicle, the head fairing and the upper stage DM-03, was sent from the Khrunichev State Space Research and Production Center to the Baikonur cosmodrome. The "Proton-M" launch vehicle with the DM-03 upper stage, created at RSC "Energia", will be used to launch the Russian "Spectr-RG" spacecraft. The main mission of the "Spectr-RG" is the study of the Universe in the X-ray range of electromagnetic radiation, the creation of a "map" of the visible Universe, on which all fairly large clusters of galaxies will be marked.

The "Proton-M" launch vehicle is ready for shipment to the Baikonur cosmodrome for preparation under the "Spectrum-RG" program. Dispatch of launch devices including "Proton-M" launch vehicle, the head fairing and the upper stage "DM-03" from Khrunichev Space Center to the Baikonur cosmodrome is scheduled for February 7. The "Proton-M" launch vehicle with the "DM-03" upper stage, manufactured at RSC "Energia", will be used to launch the Russian "Spectrum-RG" satellite.

Today, on December 21, the "Proton-M" space rocket was launched from the Baikonur cosmodrome with a spacecraft in the interests of the Russian Ministry of Defense. The successful launch of the spacecraft into the target orbit was provided by the "Breeze-M" upper stage. The new satellite has been accepted for control by the ground-based facilities of the Air and Space Forces of Russia. The first launch of the "Proton-M" LV with the upper stage "Breeze-M" was performed on April 7, 2001. Since then, this modification of the "Proton" rocket has been used in the 104th space launches.

Proton boosters will be in use at least up to 2025. After that the quantity of launches will be reduced due to the gradual equipment obsolescence, - Khrunichev Centre Director General Andrei Kalinovsky reported.

The launch of Proton-M booster with American EchoStar telecommunication satellite is scheduled for August 2016, - Khrunichev Centre representative reported.

The launch of Proton booster with Intelsat-31 telecommunication satellite was moved to TBD date because of technical reason, - Khrunichev Centre representative reports.

Proton-M booster with ExoMars-2016 station designated to search for life forms on Mars was launched from Baikonur spaceport today on March 14, 2016.

Russian Satellite Communications Company plans to launch satellites by Proton boosters only up to 2020, - Company’s Director General Yuri Prokhorov said.

On Sunday Proton-M booster and Briz-M upper stage successfully orbited Eutelsat 9B satellite. The launch was initially scheduled for for January 28, but was shifted due to weather conditions and took place on January 30, at 01.20, Moscow time.