Russia's space agency just can't catch a break.
A Russian space rocket carrying a Mexican satellite on Saturday malfunctioned soon after launch, sending it crashing down to Earth.
Most of the Proton-M type rocket disintegrated in the atmosphere upon reentry, Jim Kramer, vice president of International Launch Services said during a press conference. Authorities in eastern Siberia searched for potential debris, with no indication that any was found. The cause of the accident has not been announced yet.
Here's video capturing the Proton-M's launch on Saturday and steep plummet:
This is the latest in a string of failed Proton rocket launches for Roscosmos, the Russian Federal Space Agency. Exactly a year ago, another Proton, this one carrying an Express-AM4P European-built satellite, veered off-path 100 miles high and met a similar fate. Another Proton rocket failed in July 2013 as well.
Saturday's malfunction also comes after an uncrewed Russian cargo ship carrying three tons of supplies for the International Space Station entered an uncontrollable spin after launch and failed to dock with the ISS. Russian investigators suspect that the Progress ship failure may have been caused by an issue with the third stage of the Soyuz rocket that brought it to space.
Following this latest incident, Kramer said that all future Proton-M launches, including one planned next month for a British satellite, were suspended pending a Russian state-led investigation.
UPDATE: This story was updated with more information on May 18 at 9:20 p.m. EDT.