Russian Satellite Launch Failure Leads to Proton Launch Suspension

With the world’s attention focused on the successful landing of the Mars Science Laboratory on August 6th, little attention was given to the launch of a Proton-M rocket launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. The two satellites, Telkom-3 and Ekspress-MD2, were subsequently lost when they failed to reach transfer orbits due to a burn [...]

Breeze-M upper-stage prior to mating to its Proton rocket. (Credit: Khrunichev)
With the world’s attention focused on the successful landing of the Mars Science Laboratory on August 6th, little attention was given to the launch of a Proton-M rocket launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. The two satellites, Telkom-3 and Ekspress-MD2, were subsequently lost when they failed to reach transfer orbits due to a burn failure of the Breeze-M upper stage.
Reportedly, the Breeze-M upper stage was the Phase III variant, a recent upgrade that makes use of two new 80 liter high-pressure tanks to replace six smaller tanks. The Phase III variant also relocates he command instruments towards the center in order to diminish shock loads when the additional propellant tank is jettisoned. Notably, the launch of these satellites was delayed several time in May because of problems with the Breeze-M upper ...