The Proton rocket system is one of the greatest rocket launching systems of the world. It is the largest Russian launch vehicle in operation. The Proton is a four stage liquid fuelled rocket, and is the main transport vehicle of the Russian space industry. Proton has earned an astounding 96 percent reliability record with over 288 launches since the mid-1960s. Fully fuelled and launch ready Proton stands more than 80 metres high, and weighs more than 700 tonnes. Proton is used to launch all Russian geostationary and interplanetary missions. International Launch Services are also undertaken. It is built by Khrunichev State Research and Production Space Center. The first stage of the Proton incorporates 6 strap-on boosters and provides over 1 million pounds of thrust. The first stage engines burn for two minutes and they consume 419 thousand kilograms of fuel, taking the rocket to an altitude of 50 kilometres, and 300 kilometres down range. The second stage, with four engines, burns for three and a half minutes, and takes the final two stages and payload out of the earth's atmosphere. The third stage then ignites, and ten minutes after launch, the payload is ready for final insertion into the desired orbit of approximately 36 thousand kilometres from earth. Proton M/Breeze M is the upgraded version with a new upper stage.