On the night of July 22, 2019 from the Khrunichev Space Center (part of Roscosmos State Corporation) the parts of the “Proton-M” launch vehicle (the head fairing, the transition system and the “Briz-M” upper stage) was sent for the launch of Eutelsat 5 West B and MEV -1 satellites.
The transportation is carried out in accordance with the contract, signed in 2016 by the International Launch Services company and the global satellite communications operator Eutelsat on the use of the “Proton-M” launch vehicle for launching two spacecraft into orbit.
The Khrunichev Center is the main shareholder of ILS, which has the exclusive right to market and commercially operate “Proton” launch vehicles.
Over the years of commercial operation, it went through several stages of modernization and was adapted for launching spacecraft of almost all types according to various launching schemes.
