The
Proton (Прото́н)
rocket (formal designation:
UR-500, also known as
D-1/
D-1e or
SL-12/
SL-13) is a
Russian unmanned space vehicle design, first launched in
1965. It is still in use as of
2015 for both commercial and government launches. This makes it one of the most successful heavy boosters in the history of spaceflight. All Protons launch from
Baikonur Cosmodrome in
Kazakhstan.
The name "Proton" originates from a series of large scientific satellites, which were among the rocket's first payloads. The enormous capacity of the new rocket allowed the heavy materials used in particle detectors. Thus the Proton satellites were pioneers of high-energy astronomy. Like many Soviet boosters, the name of the recurring payloads became associated with their launchers.
Payloads can be fitted with either a Blok D or Briz-M upper stage. Launch capacity to low Earth orbit is about 22 tonnes (44,000 lbm). Interplanetary transfer capacity is about 5–6 tonnes (11,000–13,000 lbm).
Eugene Francis "Gene" Kranz (born August 17, 1933) is a retired
NASA Flight Director and manager. Kranz served as a Flight Director, the successor to NASA founding Flight Director
Chris Kraft, during the
Gemini and
Apollo programs, and is best known for his role in directing the successful Mission Control team efforts to save the crew of
Apollo 13, which later became the subject story of a major motion picture of the same name. He is also noted for his trademark close-cut
flattop hairstyle, and the wearing of dapper white "mission" vests (
waistcoats), of different styles and materials made by Mrs. Kranz, during missions for which he acted as Flight Director. A personal friend to the American astronauts of his time, Kranz remains a prominent and colorful figure in the history of U.S. manned space exploration, literally, the embodiment of 'NASA tough-and-competent' of the Kranz Dictum. Kranz has been the subject of movies, documentary films, and books and periodical articles. Kranz is the recipient of a
Presidential Medal of Freedom.
