On Thursday, Russia's space agency Roscosmos executed a successful launch of the Proton-M rocket, deploying the Elektro-L No.5 weather satellite from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. The event took place at 11:52 AM Moscow time, with the satellite expected to reach its geostationary orbit approximately six-and-a-half hours post-launch. This launch marks a significant milestone, as it is the 430th in the Proton family’s six-decade history, showcasing the continued evolution of Russian space technology with the modernized Proton-M variant.

The Proton-M rocket, constructed by the Khrunichev Center, stands at an impressive 57.6 meters tall and weighs 705 tonnes at launch. The Elektro-L No.5 satellite, developed by NPO Lavochkin, represents the latest in next-generation meteorological satellites engineered to operate from an altitude of over 35,000 km. This satellite is expected to provide comprehensive, continuous imaging of the Earth, utilizing both visible and infrared spectral bands, with a high-resolution capability of 1 km and 4 km per pixel respectively.

The data from the Elektro-L No.5 will play a crucial role in enhancing weather forecasting capabilities for Russia and potentially other regions. As countries continue to advance their weather monitoring and prediction technologies, the successful launch of this satellite positions Russia to maintain a strong presence in global meteorology, contributing valuable insights into atmospheric conditions and natural disaster preparedness.