Video: Russian Proton Returns to Flight, Sends Comsat Into Orbit

A Russian Proton rocket lifted off from Baikonur on Sunday, successfully lofting a European communications satellite into orbit. The Eutelsat-owned satellite is configured with over 80 spot beams that will provide broadband services across Europe and a small area of the Middle East.

The previous Proton launch on Dec. 5 failed, sending three Russian navigational satellites into the Pacific Ocean. The failure was traced to a fourth stage that was loaded with too much fuel, causing the first three stages to under perform.