The Proton-M rocket, equipped with the DM-03 upper stage, delivers the Elektro-L No.5 hydrometeorological satellite into geostationary orbit on Thursday, February 12.

This mission marks the final launch of a DM-type upper stage from Baikonur — and the 300th flight of the D/DM family from the cosmodrome since 1967.

Electro-L devices are part of the Electro geostationary hydrometeorological system and are designed to obtain multispectral images of the entire visible disk of the Earth, collect heliophysical data, transmit hydrometeorological information and relay signals from COSPAS-SARSAT emergency beacons.