LIVE: Proton-M launch with Astra 1M satellite - November 5, 2008

[anik]

http://www.interfax.ru/news.asp?id=33379&sec=1448

Proton-M rocket has departed Khrunichev State Research and Production Space Center yesterday.

The launch of Proton-M rocket with Briz-M upper stage and Astra-1M satellite is planned in the end of October or in the beginning of November.

[anik]

http://www.kt.kz/index.php?lang=rus&uin=1138536794&chapter=1153461788

Proton-M rocket has arrived to Baikonur cosmodrome by train today.

[roy]

the satellite when will be arrive to baikanor ?

[anik]

According to Novosti kosmonavtiki forum, the launch is scheduled for October 25th.

[roy]

that good news for european satellite astra 1m
maybe soon satellite shiping to cosmodrom ?

[Nicolas PILLET]

Delivery to cosmodrome was scheduled for 26th september, so it should have occured now...

[anik]

http://www.kt.kz/index.php?lang=rus&uin=1138536794&chapter=1153462290

The preparation of Astra-1M satellite has begun today. The satellite has been delivered to Baikonur cosmodrome on September 27th.

[anik]

According to http://www.ses.com/ses/siteSections/group/services/satellitefleet/NextLaunches/index.php the launch date is October 31.

[satlaunch]

What could be the reason for delay?

[anik]

http://www.khrunichev.ru/main.php?id=1&nid=806

Briz-M upper stage was delivered to Baikonur cosmodrome today by Ruslan aircraft.

[Stephan]

http://www.ilslaunch.com/assets/pdf/Astra-1M-MO-final.pdf

[satlaunch]

Astra 1M launch moved to November 3 (Baikonur time).

SES

(This message is moved here from "Plan of Russian space launches" thread - anik)

[anik]

Quote from http://www.ilslaunch.com/many-forms-of-transportation/

"Yesterday, October 14, the propellant team loaded the hydrazine fuel onto the SC. This operation is the second half of the propellant load. It marks the completion of the propellant loading phase of SC preps"

[anik]

http://www.kt.kz/index.php?lang=rus&uin=1138536794&chapter=1153464960

The assembly of the ascent unit has begun today. Astra 1M satellite is installed onto dispenser.

PROTON LAUNCH OF ASTRA 1M SATELLITE FACES 3-DAY DELAY
http://www.ilslaunch.com/news-102008

"BAIKONUR COSMODROME, Kazakhstan, Oct. 20, 2008 – The launch of a Proton launch vehicle with the ASTRA 1M satellite was postponed after an anomaly was discovered with ground equipment at the launch site.

The problem with the equipment, which supports testing for the Breeze M upper stage, was identified and corrected.  The new target launch date is Nov. 3, according to International Launch Services. The satellite is being launched for SES ASTRA of Luxembourg"

http://www.ilslaunch.com/astra-1m-mission-control

"Launch Date: Nov 3, 03:28 Baikonur
November 2, 16:28 EDT; 21:28 GMT"

[anik]

http://www.kt.kz/index.php?uin=1138536794&chapter=1153465129

Today Astra 1M satellite is docking with Briz-M upper stage.