The first launch of “Proton” rocket in 2015 has taken place. The “Briz-M” carrier and booster is expected to be put into orbit by a British telecommunications satellite. This was reported on the website of Roskosmos.

      The launch was performed by the “Proton-M” carrier rocket from the launch pad of the Baikonur Cosmodrome. This was the 402th start in the history of the “Proton” series rockets. The satellite “Inmarsat 5F2” was produced by Boeing. The commercial launch was performed in agreement with the Russian-American ILS Company (International Launch Services). Inmarsat 5F2 is designed for providing communication services in North and South America. It is the second launched apparatus of the fifth generation of satellites. The first satellite of this kind was brought into orbit also by a Russian “Proton” in December 2013. In 2014 the Russian cosmodrome in Kazakhstan has become a world leader in the number of launches. During the specified year 21 launches have been performed from its territory, 19 of which were successful. It is expected to perform 23 launches from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in 2015.