Focus on Performance (Cont.)

Some of the Proton performance enhancements are achieved by implementing design optimizations. These are possible today by using modern, state-of-the-art design tools, which were unavailable to the original Proton designers over 40 years ago. The Proton second stage tank structure is a good example of such optimization.

LIFTOFF: The public information refers to these enhancements as "low-risk." Can you be specific as to why these are considered low-risk? Can you explain the test program for the various elements?

Bonner: Russian launch vehicles and engines are well-known for being built with a very large performance safety margin. One of the requirements Khrunichev has of any changes made to the Proton Breeze M is that the change cannot reduce reliability. The enhancements have been made to vehicle components with well-known environment data from hundreds of launches. We are not making radical changes to any part of the vehicle. In addition, modern design tools allowed Khrunichev to fine-tune such things as fuel tanks, and redesign them to remove mass while maintaining safety margins.

Additionally, the Russian federal government requires a rigorous, thorough testing process before the vehicle can be approved for flight. The qualification program includes multiple federal agencies who independently verify results of testing done by Khrunichev, as well as performing their own independent tests.

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