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

[Jester]

Updated the title, as for O3b-F2 the following S/C will be launched:

FM03 / FM06 / FM07 / FM08

VS05/O3b-F1 launched PFM / FM02 / FM04 / FM05

[Jester]

http://www.arianespace.com/news-press-release/2014/6-5-2014-VS08-launch-date.asp

PRESS RELEASE / FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 5, 2014

Arianespace will send four more satellites from the O3b constellation into a
circular orbit at an altitude of 7,830 km with the eighth Soyuz launch from
the Guiana Space Center in French Guiana.

Liftoff of the Soyuz ST-B launcher is now scheduled for Thursday July 10:

•  at 03:55:56 p.m., local time in French Guiana,
•  at 02:55:56 p.m. in Washington DC,
•  at 18:55:56 UTC,
•  at 08:55:56 p.m. in Paris,
•  at 10:55:56 p.m. in Moscow.

Follow Arianespace's launch activity at: www.arianespace.com.

[Galactic Penguin SST]

Payload fueling begins for Arianespace’s Soyuz flight with the next four O3b Networks satellites

June 16, 2014 – Soyuz Flight VS08

The upcoming Arianespace Soyuz mission for O3b Networks has entered its next phase of preparations, as fueling is now underway in French Guiana with this global satellite service provider’s second batch of spacecraft – which will deliver connectivity to emerging markets worldwide.

Fueling of these four satellites, which is taking place inside the Spaceport’s S5 payload preparation building, will be completed in separate processes – clearing the way for integration on a dispenser system that will deploy each during Arianespace’s July 10 flight with its workhorse Soyuz launcher.

Thales Alenia Space produced the O3b Networks spacecraft, which have a trapezoidal-shaped main body to facilitate their installation on the Soyuz dispenser.  Equipped with Ka-band transponders, the satellites are to be positioned after launch at a medium-orbit altitude of 8,062 km.

O3b Networks’ initial four satellites were orbited on another Arianespace Soyuz mission performed in June 2013. It marked the first step in O3b Networks’ creation of a space-based constellation to provide billions of consumers and businesses in nearly 180 countries with low-cost, high-speed, low latency Internet and mobile connectivity – delivering services over Asia, Africa, South America, Australia and the Middle East.

The approaching July 10 mission is designated Flight VS08 in Arianespace’s launcher family numbering system, signifying the eighth liftoff of the medium-lift Soyuz from the Spaceport since its 2011 introduction at French Guiana.

http://www.arianespace.com/news-mission-update/2014/1174.asp

[Lewis007]

VS-08 poster from the Kourou space center

[Galactic Penguin SST]

The O3b Networks payload “cluster” takes form for Arianespace’s upcoming Soyuz launch

June 19, 2014 – Soyuz Flight VS08

Payload integration is underway for the four O3b Networks connectivity satellites to be orbited by Arianespace on its next Soyuz mission, scheduled for liftoff on July 10 from the Spaceport in French Guiana.

This integration involves a step-by-step installation of the spacecraft on a tube-shaped dispenser system, with the activity taking place inside the Spaceport’s S5 payload preparation facility.

The dispenser will release O3b Networks’ four satellites into a medium-altitude Earth orbit during the mission, enabling these platforms to join the company’s initial batch of connectivity spacecraft lofted by Arianespace aboard another Soyuz in June 2013.

Thales Alenia Space produced the Ka-band relay platforms, which have a liftoff mass of approximately 700 kg. each and will create a constellation providing 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.

The July 10 flight will be Arianespace’s eighth mission from French Guiana with its workhorse medium-lift Soyuz, and carries the VS08 designation in the company’s launcher family numbering system.  Soyuz joins Arianespace’s other two launchers in service at the Spaceport: the heavy-lift Ariane 5, and lightweight Vega.

http://www.arianespace.com/news-mission-update/2014/1175.asp

[jacqmans]

27 June 2014
 
Fuel Up Complete!

In just two weeks O3b's second set of birds will launch from Kourou, French Guiana. We have successfully completed the fuelling phase of the launch campaign. Satellite FM6 was the last of the four satellites to be fuelled. Now complete, this marks the end of the launch campaign’s fuelling phase. The final satellite is now being prepared for mating to the dispenser.

At this end of the week, we will enter the final stretch of the launch campaign, know as the Combined Operations phase (POC).

This phase will take 10 days and consists of moving the satellite / dispenser from the Hazardous Processing Facility (HPF / S5A) to the S3B building on D minus 7 (Launch Day minus 7 days).  Here the satellite / dispenser will be mated to the FREGAT (Soyuz upper stage) and then encapsulated (Fairing Integration) on D minus 5.  The Upper Composite (satellites / dispenser / FREGAT) will then be transferred to the launch pad / ZLS and hoisted on top of the launcher on D minus 3.  After final checkouts, the satellites will be ready to be launched on D0 (Day of Launch).

[jacqmans]

O3b’s satellite cluster receives its orbital “kick” for the upcoming Arianespace Soyuz launch

 July 2, 2014 – Soyuz Flight VS08

The next satellite cluster for O3b Networks’ affordable, high-speed connectivity system has been mated to its Fregat upper stage in French Guiana, marking one of the final steps in Arianespace’s Soyuz launch campaign for a liftoff next week from the Spaceport.

During operations in the Spaceport’s S3B payload preparation facility, the four satellites – which previously were integrated on their tube-shaped dispenser system – have been mated atop Soyuz’ Fregat upper stage. The highly flexible Fregat stage will perform multiple burns during Arianespace’s July 10 flight, deploying the spacecraft into orbit.

This week’s mating operation with Fregat will be followed by Soyuz’ subsequent rollout to the ELS launch complex near the French Guiana town of Sinnamary, allowing the satellite payload to be installed on the medium-lift workhorse launcher.

The July 10 mission, designated Flight VS08 in Arianespace’s launcher family numbering system, will be the eighth with Soyuz since the vehicle’s 2011 introduction at the Spaceport – joining the company’s heavy-lift Ariane 5 and lightweight Vega.

Flight VS08 will be the second Arianespace mission at the service of O3b Networks, following the orbiting of its initial four satellites with Soyuz in June 2013.

O3b Networks’ Ka-band relay platforms will create a satellite constellation for telecommunications and Internet services that combine high speed and affordable costs for billions of people across the world who do not yet have adequate internet access.  Thales Alenia Space produced the spacecraft, which have a liftoff mass of approximately 700 kg. each.

http://www.arianespace.com/news-mission-update/2014/1177.asp

[Galactic Penguin SST]

[Jester]

Salut Thierry

[Jester]

Launch Kit

[Artyom.]

Soyuz rolls out to the launch zone for Arianespace’s July 10 mission at the service of O3b Networks


The Soyuz for Arianespace’s next medium-lift mission has arrived at the launch zone in French Guiana, where it stands ready to receive the four satellite passengers that will join O3b Networks’ pioneering high-speed connectivity system.

Applying procedures that have been followed since the workhorse Soyuz launcher inaugurated the space age, the basic three-stage vehicle for Arianespace’s July 10 flight emerged this morning from its integration building in the Spaceport’s northwestern sector.

Soyuz subsequently was moved on a transporter/erector rail car to the ZLS launch zone using the familiar horizontal transfer process – followed by its erection to the vertical orientation and positioning over the launch pad, suspended in place by four large support arms.

With this step completed, all was ready for the purpose-built 53-meter-tall mobile gantry to be moved into position around the launcher, providing a protected environment for installation of the “upper composite” – which consists of the four O3b Networks spacecraft, the Fregat upper stage and the ST-type payload fairing.

Arianespace’s July 10 flight is scheduled to lift off precisely at 3:55:56 p.m. local time in French Guiana, with its satellite passengers to be deployed during a flight lasting 2 hrs., 22 min.  Total payload lift performance is estimated at 3,204 kg., which includes a combined mass of approximately 2,800 kg. for the four spacecraft.

These O3b Networks Ka-band relay platforms – which were produced by Thales Alenia Space – will create a satellite constellation for telecommunications and Internet services that combine high speed and affordable costs for billions of people across the world who do not yet have adequate internet access.

This week’s launch will mark Arianespace’s eighth Soyuz mission from the Spaceport since this workhorse vehicle’s French Guiana service entry in October 2011, as well as the company’s second mission at the service of O3b Networks – following the orbiting of its initial four satellites with Soyuz in June 2013.

http://www.arianespace.com/news-mission-update/2014/1179.asp

[bolun]

Launch window for VS08

- UTC: At 18:55:56 on July 10, 2014
 
- Kourou, French Guiana: At 03:55:56 p.m. on July 10, 2014 
 
- Paris, France: At 08:55:56 p.m. on July 10, 2014
 
- Washington, D.C.: At 02:55:56 p.m. on July 10, 2014
 
- Moscow, Russia: At 10:55:56 p.m. on July 10, 2014

http://www.arianespace.com/news-mission-update/2014/1179.asp

[Artyom.]

[Galactic Penguin SST]

O3b Networks’ four satellites are integrated on Soyuz for Arianespace’s July 10 mission

July 8, 2014 – Soyuz Flight VS08

Arianespace’s next medium-lift Soyuz to be launched from French Guiana is now complete following the integration of its “upper composite,” made up of four O3b Networks connectivity satellites, their protective payload fairing and the Fregat upper stage.

This activity was performed at the Spaceport’s ZLS launch complex near the town of Sinnamary. It began with the upper composite’s transfer from the S3B payload preparation facility on a special transporter, and was followed by hoisting to the upper level of a purpose-built mobile gantry – which provides a protected environment for the vertical installation.

Final checkout of the Soyuz launcher is now underway, leading up to the Arianespace liftoff planned on Thursday, July 10 at precisely 03:55:56 p.m. local time in French Guiana. This mission is designated Flight VS08 in the company’s numbering system, representing the workhorse Soyuz’ eighth flight from French Guiana.

The upcoming launch’s payload – four Thales Alenia Space-produced satellites that will join O3b Networks’ pioneering high-speed connectivity system – are to be deployed during a flight lasting 2 hrs., 22 min. Equipped with Ka-band transponders, the satellites will be positioned at a medium-orbit altitude of 8,062 km.

Total payload lift performance is estimated at 3,204 kg., including a combined mass of approximately 2,800 kg. for the four spacecraft – which will create a constellation providing 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.

Flight VS08 will be the second Arianespace mission at the service of O3b Networks, following the orbiting of its initial four satellites with Soyuz in June 2013.

http://www.arianespace.com/news-mission-update/2014/1180.asp

[jacqmans]

Soyuz is a “go” for Arianespace’s launch to complete O3b Networks’ basic satellite network
 

 July 9, 2014 – Soyuz Flight VS08


Arianespace’s second Soyuz launch at the service of O3b Networks has been approved for liftoff tomorrow from the Spaceport in French Guiana on a flight to complete the basic satellite constellation for this customer’s pioneering connectivity service.

The medium-lift mission will loft four relay spacecraft that are to join an initial four orbited by Arianespace on a Soyuz launch in June 2013.  These eight satellites will constitute the network framework to provide fast, flexible and affordable connectivity for O3b Networks customers in emerging markets.

Today’s go-ahead for Flight VS08 was given following the readiness review, a regular milestone before every Arianespace mission, which validated the go-status of Soyuz and its satellite payload, along with the Spaceport’s launch site infrastructure and the ground stations that will track the mission.

After deployment by Soyuz, the four Thales Alenia Space-produced satellites – each with a liftoff mass of approximately 700 kg. – will be located at a medium-orbit altitude of 8,062 km.

Tomorrow’s mission will be the eighth flight by Arianespace’s medium-lift Soyuz from the Spaceport, where it was introduced in 2011 to join the company’s heavy-lift Ariane 5 and lightweight Vega.

http://www.arianespace.com/news-mission-update/2014/1181.asp

[Chris Bergin]

Moved for live coverage.

[Galactic Penguin SST]

O3b Networks on Bloomberg: http://www.bloomberg.com/video/how-o3b-plans-to-connect-everyone-to-the-internet-uGNx5pZMTqOj~NYEZHEr_w.html

[Prober]

O3b Networks on Bloomberg: http://www.bloomberg.com/video/how-o3b-plans-to-connect-everyone-to-the-internet-uGNx5pZMTqOj~NYEZHEr_w.html

MEO gives these sats a life of?

[Chris Bergin]

Launch preview, mainly thanks to William Graham:

http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2014/07/arianespace-soyuz-st-b-launch-four-o3b-satellites/

[Chris Bergin]