Russia will carry out fewer Proton M launches in 2013 than planned, a Roskosmos source said. Such a reduction is connected with a decision by Kazakhstan's authorities to cut the number of rocket launches from the Baikonur space launch facility from 17 to 12.

Given the situation, Roskosmos is planning to reconsider the terms of Baikonur's lease in favor of making the rent Russia pays for it dependent on the number of launches.

Russia is currently renting the Baikonur Cosmodrome from Kazakhstan at $115 million a year.

Source: Voice of Russia