Proton launches Russian weather satellite

The final Proton launch of the year lifted off Dec. 24 from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, sending a Russian weather satellite into orbit. Proton lifted off at 7:03 a.m. Eastern with the Electro-L No. 3 satellite, according to Russia’s state space corporation Roscosmos. The satellite separated from the four-stage rocket six hours and 37 minutes later. Five Proton rockets launched this year — four for the Russian government and one for International Launch Services, which sells commercial missions. More

(Source: SpaceNews - Dec 25)