Russia successfully launched a new generation Proton-M rocket on Saturday, putting into orbit a Russian telecommunications satellite, Itar-Tass said.
The Proton-M, a more powerful rocket than its predecessor Proton, lifted off from Baikonur, Kazakhstan at 0347 GMT, according to the Russian space agency.
The new launcher is capable of carrying one ton more of payload and is more environmentally friendly, according to Khrunichev, the company which built the Proton-M.