The fueling of #ProtonM has begun!

📷 by Roscosmos.

My favorite photo from a trip to Baikonur. Young cosmonauts who joined the team in 2018 watch the launch of #ProtonM with MLM #Nauka. One day they will see it again when they go to the ISS. I hope that, despite the problematic beginning, Nauka will serve them well.

According to the sources, the launch of #ProtonM rocket with #ExpressAMU3 and #ExpressAMU7 communication satellites from Baikonur was rescheduled from November to December 6. The sources don’t mention the reason for the postponement. https://ria.ru/20210923/sputniki-1751394652.html

The launch of #ProtonM rocket with #ExpressAMU3 and #ExpressAMU7 satellites from Baikonur has been postponed from December 6 to December 12 due to the need to fix an issue with the Briz-M upper stage. https://tass.ru/kosmos/12956569

The launch of #ProtonM launch vehicle with two #ExpressAMU satellites that was rolled out to the launch pad this morning has been postponed to NET December 12.

Today is the launch day! The launch of #ProtonM with #BreezM upper stage and two #EkspressAMU satellites from Baikonur is scheduled for 12:07 UTC. Don’t miss the live coverage! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ufEKzNGz6HQ

The manufacture of #ProtonM rockets will be finished in 2022, said the representative of Khrunichev Center. 10 ready-made Proton-M rockets are in storage at the Moscow production site and at Baikonur, 4 more rockets are in the process of manufacturing. https://tass.ru/armiya-i-opk/13424409

This is the #ProtonM rocket to launch #ExoMars2022 rover and landing platform to Mars. It’s being prepared to be sent to Baikonur in March. In its Telegram channel, Roscosmos also showed a video: https://t.me/roscosmos_gk/2650

#Khrunichev Center reports that they checked all the remaining #ProtonM rockets for substandard components and replaced all what they found. The check was required after defective bolts were found in March 2020 in a rocket to launch Express satellites. https://tass.ru/kosmos/13800423

Rogozin wrote in Telegram that Khrunichev Center prepared the #ProtonM rocket to launch #ExoMars rover to Mars this year, and they are waiting for the final decision of @ESA on the fate of this mission: https://t.me/rogozin_do/1996. IMHO there is a very small chance for a positive outcome for ExoMars.