LIVE: Proton-M launch with ProtoStar 2 satellite

[Gorizont]

"Does Proton have hold-down capability? (like while the engines are running they can be shut down and the launch safely aborted if something is not right before liftoff)"

As I know, the engines, when started, got thrusted up to ca. 30 percent 1,6 seconds before liftoff. Short time later they will fire to 100 percent.

Iīm not sure with a hold down capability, but some Protons had problems during ignition and their engines shut down before liftoff. So perhaps (today) itīs possible, to stop the launch, also when the engines fired up to the first ca. 30 percent. After that, possibly itīs critical.

Hope, this helps.

greetings...
Soeren

[SiberianTiger]

Roscosmos TV's animation of the Prototar 2 launch:

[Lewis007]

Satellite operator ProtoStar has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the USA. It will sell its two satellites. The Delaware Bankruptcy Court is handling the case for ProtoStar and its associated businesses.
It lists Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co <TEL.PS>, to which it owes $27.5 million, as its largest unsecured creditor.
ProtoStar was financed by Venture Capital cash. It is now seeking Debtor in Possession funding of $16m in order to finance the sale of the two satellites.

see the link http://www.rapidtvnews.com/index.php/200907304371/protostar-goes-bust.html
and http://sg.news.yahoo.com/rtrs/20090730/tap-protostar-c3bb44c.html