Proton-M Launch Failiure: A Community Investigation

[POTKC]

As the title states, this is basically where everyone can dump all the information they find about July 2nd's Proton-M launch failiure.

What I Already Have

The Proton-M launch vehicle is considered one of the most reliable CLVs (Cargo Launch Vehicles) in the world. However, on June 2nd, 2013, a Proton-M rocket lifted off from Baikonur Cosmodrome and crashed 17 seconds later. About 3 seconds after liftoff, the Proton starts veering left. It then goes right and flips over. The upper part of the rocket breaks off, and the rest of it, where the fuel tanks are, ignites. About one second after the break-up, all of the debris slams into the ground and explodes. The Proton-M was carrying 3 'Glonass' (The Russian analogy to GPS) satellites. The total cost of the disaster is estimated at 2.5 billion rubles, or $70 million.

The launch (and crash) were shown live on 'àþÑÂÑÂøѠ24':

http://m.youtube.com/#/watch?feature=g-logo-xit&v=9jQ_tPm0J2E

The 'Moscow Times' quoted a ROSCOSMOS official stating that:

The disaster was caused by an emergency engine shutdown.

Looking at the video, it is easy to believe this because of the large amount of brown smoke, which could be unburnt fuel pouring out of the engine:

However, this photo of a successful launch proves otherwise:

A similar Proton-M launch failiure, also carrying three 'Glonass' satellites, occurred in 2010. A coincidence? Please tell me what you think, and, if you can, add more information to this thread!

Edited July 3, 2013 by POTKC

[Rich]

Thread already exists http://forum.kerbalspaceprogram.com/showthread.php/38609-Major-Proton-launch-failure