Focus on Performance (Cont.)

LIFTOFF: The Russian Proton Breeze M is known for its heavy lift capability. What leads Khrunichev to implement more enhancements?

Jim Bonner: The satellite industry is producing larger payloads with more power, which require rockets with greater lift capacities. As our customers' requirements and modern satellites evolve, we must continue to develop the Proton rocket to meet those demands. The enhanced Proton now has an astounding lift capability of more than six metric tons, placing it among the most powerful commercial rockets in service today. In addition to increasing the vehicle’s throw weight, these changes lead to improved reliability by streamlining production of the launch vehicle and its components. Reducing the number of piece parts and manufacturing one standardized version of the vehicle inherently improves reliability.

LIFTOFF: What is the history of enhancements on the Proton Breeze M? How long has the most recent phase been in development at Khrunichev?

Bonner: The first block of enhancements to the Proton Breeze M were flight-demonstrated by the Intelsat 10-02 launch on June 17, 2004. These modifications have had a 100 percent success rate in subsequent launches.

Khrunichev began exploring the latest block of enhancements almost 36 months ago. The culmination of two years of research, development and testing will come to fruition with the launch of the DIRECTV 10 satellite on the enhanced Proton Breeze M in July of this year.

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