LIVE: Soyuz ST-B Flight VS08 - O3b-F2 (FM3/6/7/8) - July 10th, 2014

[beidou]

LIVE Processing and launch coverage.

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[jacqmans]

Satellites are delivered for Arianespace’s next Soyuz mission with O3b Networks

August 7, 2013 – Soyuz Flight VS06

O3b Networks satellites for Arianespace’s next launch to help “bridge the digital divide” are now in French Guiana as the pace accelerates for this Soyuz mission from the Spaceport, which is targeted for late September.

The spacecraft – built by Thales Alenia Space – arrived this morning aboard a chartered Ilyushin IL-76 cargo jetliner that landed at Félix Eboué Airport near the capital city of Cayenne, followed by their transfer via road to the Spaceport’s S5 payload preparation facility.

They will be readied for the upcoming Arianespace Soyuz launch, designated Flight VS06 in the company’s launcher family numbering system, which signifies the sixth liftoff of the medium-lift workhorse from French Guiana.

As preparations begin with O3b Networks’ satellites, the launcher for Flight VS06 is taking shape across the Spaceport in the MIK launcher integration building – located within the Soyuz ELS launch site near the town of Sinnamary.

Flight VS06 will be the second Soyuz mission for O3b Networks, following Arianespace’s June 25 orbiting of the initial four satellites.  It provided the first step in O3b Networks’ creation of a space-based constellation to deliver telecommunications and Internet services over Asia, Africa, South America, Australia and the Middle East – combining the global reach of satellite coverage with the speed of a fiber-optic network.

http://www.arianespace.com/news-mission-update/2013/1081.asp

[Jester]

it was a bit rainy that day.....

[Jester]

FM8 arrival end of August.

[Jester]

One of 4 O3b-F2 satellites in S5C

[anik]

Interfax reports about one-month delay of launch due to unreadiness of satellites: http://www.interfax.ru/news.asp?id=327405

[anik]

As per http://novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/forum/messages/forum12/topic13667/message1122692/#message1122692, there are problems with four launched satellites, so it was decided to return new four satellites to Thales Alenia Space and the launch will be after Gaia, so delay is much more than month.

[Nicolas PILLET]

I hope this situation is less serious than the one with Globalstar-2 satellites !!

[Jester]

As per http://novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/forum/messages/forum12/topic13667/message1122692/#message1122692, there are problems with four launched satellites, so it was decided to return new four satellites to Thales Alenia Space and the launch will be after Gaia, so delay is much more than month.

My russian is rusty, what is the issue ? spacecraft propellant leak ?

[anik]

what is the issue ? spacecraft propellant leak ?

There is no info about type of problem there.

[Danderman]

I hope this situation is less serious than the one with Globalstar-2 satellites !!

Or the Globalstar-1 satellites!

[Jester]

ok, so 4 sats going back to TAS, given the fact that software patch was available and the hardware was adjusted after the globalstar reaction control wheel issue, i'm wondering what the issue is....

[anik]

A delay for Arianespace’s second Soyuz mission with O3b Networks satellites
September 9, 2013

http://www.arianespace.com/news-mission-update/2013/1096.asp

O3b Networks today announced a delay in the launch of its next four satellites to allow time for further testing. Originally planned for a September 30 liftoff on an Arianespace Soyuz flight from the Spaceport in French Guiana, the new date – anticipated for the first quarter of 2014 – will be confirmed in due course.

http://www.arianespace.com/news-press-release/2013/9-9-2013-Euroconsult.asp

Among the upcoming launches in 2013, our customer O3b has decided to carry out additional tests on its satellites, which means that the second launch for the O3b constellation has been postponed for the moment.

[beidou]

Does this mean there will be chances for Galileo to be launched by the end of this year?

[Galactic Penguin SST]

Does this mean there will be chances for Galileo to be launched by the end of this year?

Nope, I think the satellites aren't ready for launch yet.

[Jester]

this reshuffle has an impact, there might still be a chance but I doubt it, big meeting in October....

[Jester]

P.S.
Are we sure about the renaming of VS07 to VS06 btw ?

[Jester]

P.S.
Are we sure about the renaming of VS07 to VS06 btw ?

Per Gaia QA, the name remains VS07 so no change.

O3b remain VS06

[Stan Black]

P.S.
Are we sure about the renaming of VS07 to VS06 btw ?

Per Gaia QA, the name remains VS07 so no change.

O3b remain VS06

What about the rocket?

[Jester]

P.S.
Are we sure about the renaming of VS07 to VS06 btw ?

Per Gaia QA, the name remains VS07 so no change.

O3b remain VS06

What about the rocket?

I dont think they will change it, no reason, unless there is further delay and another customer uses/needs it