LIVE: Sea Launch - Intelsat 21 - August 19, 2012 (0655UTC)

[anik]

http://www.satnews.com/cgi-bin/story.cgi?number=674344088

Sea Launch AG, through Energia Logistics Ltd., has conducted a Hardware Acceptance Review of the Zenit-2S launch vehicle to be used in support of the Intelsat 21 mission. A team of specialists from the Chief System Engineer’s Office at Energia Logistics Ltd., together with specialists from RSC Energia, reviewed all of the acceptance data for the Zenit-2S #SL 34 vehicle and found that all required acceptance test values were within specification.

The Ocean Force sea-based transport vessel carrying the Zenit-2S launch vehicle designated for Intelsat 21 departed the port at Oktyabrsky, Ukraine, on May 18, 2012, and is scheduled to arrive pier-side at Sea Launch’s Home Port facility in Long Beach, California on June 29, 2012. The Block DM-SL upper stage designated for Intelsat 21, provided by RSC Energia, was shipped to Home Port earlier this year and the Payload Accommodations, provided by Boeing Commercial Space Company, will be shipped in mid-June. The Intelsat 21 mission is planned for launch in August 2012.

Built by Boeing Satellite Systems Inc., the Intelsat 21 satellite will weigh approximately 5,984 kilograms (13,192 lbs.) at launch. It is expected to arrive at the Sea Launch facility in late June or early July in preparation for the start of standalone and combined spacecraft operations.

[anik]

The launch is planned on August 12th.

[anik]

Possibly August 7.

[anik]

The launch is planned on August 18th.

[anik]

The launch is planned on August 15th.

[anik]

Current Mission - INTELSAT 21
http://www.sea-launch.com/current_launch_intelsat21.htm

Sea Launch is preparing for the launch of the Intelsat 21 satellite.  Intelsat 21 will be located at 302° East longitude and will replace the IS-9 satellite. IS-21 will maintain and enhance the leading video neighborhood in Latin America, as well as offer mobility services.  Based upon the Boeing Satellite Systems Inc. (BSSI) 702MP platform, Intelsat 21 will carry 24 C-band transponders and 36 Ku-band transponders, weighing 5,984 kilograms (13,192 lbs.) at lift-off.

The launch is currently scheduled for mid-August 2012. Lift-off will occur at 23:55:55 Pacific Daylight Time (06:55:55 UTC, the next day) at the opening of the 58 minute launch window.

Launch Coverage

Sea Launch will produce live coverage of the Intelsat 21 mission, and stream video of the event on this website. Launch broadcast will begin approximately 20 minutes before scheduled liftoff. Please click here to view our live mission coverage.

Mission Highlights

The Intelsat 21 spacecraft arrives at Homeport on June 29th.

Payload

The Intelsat 21 satellite is based on the BSSI 702MP mid-level power platform.
Designed to provide 15 or more years of satellite service, the Intelsat 21 spacecraft will carry 24 C-band transponders for coverage over the western hemisphere and 36 Ku-band transponders with Brazil and mobility beams.

IS-21 vital statistics:
Platform: Boeing Satellite Systems 702MP
Dimensions, in orbit:
H, 6.9 m
W, antennas: 9.25 m
L, solar arrays: 36.85 m
Mass at Launch: 5,984 kilograms (13,192 lbs.)
The payload is powered by two solar wings, with four panels of ultra triple-junction gallium arsenide solar cells.
Power at end-of-life:  11.8 kW
Operational Lifetime: 15+ years

Mission Profile

From its ocean-based launch site located directly on the equator at 154 degrees West longitude, a Zenit-3SL launch vehicle will lift the Intelsat 21 spacecraft into an optimized geosynchronous transfer orbit on its way to its final geostationary orbit at 302° East longitude.

The Zenit-3SL rocket will begin its ascent phase of flight.  The first stage of the vehicle will separate 2:30 minutes (150 seconds) after liftoff, and the protective payload fairing will be jettisoned 74 seconds later at 3:44 minutes. The second stage will conduct a 6 minute burn, followed by its separation from the Block DM-SL upper stage.  The Block DM-SL will begin its first and only burn at 8:41 minutes (521 seconds) into the mission, for the duration of 696 seconds.  The upper stage will then shut down for almost 10 minute coast period before spacecraft separation over equatorial South America.
Intelsat 21 TimelineClick to Enlarge

Launch Timeline

Time    Event
L= 0:00:05    Liftoff
L+ 0:02:30    Stage 1 Separation
L+ 0:03:44    Payload Fairing Jettison
L+ 0:08:31    Stage 2 Separation
L+ 0:08:41    Block DM-SL 1st Burn Ignition
L+ 0:20:17    Block DM-SL 1st Burn Cutoff
L+ 0:30:07    Spacecraft Separation

[jacqmans]

Boeing Delivers 2nd Intelsat 702MP Satellite to Sea Launch Home Port

Intelsat 21 undergoing preparations for 3rd quarter launch

 
EL SEGUNDO, Calif., Aug. 1, 2012 -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] recently completed shipment of the second of four 702MP satellites for customer Intelsat S.A., paving the way for a third quarter 2012 launch of another member of the medium-power satellite family Boeing introduced in 2009. The Intelsat 21 satellite will be carried into orbit by a Sea Launch AG Zenit 3SL rocket.
 
"We continue to deliver the 702MPs for Intelsat on or ahead of schedule, thanks to the satellite’s modular design and our focus on continuous improvement," said Craig Cooning, vice president and general manager of Boeing Space & Intelligence Systems. "With the first satellite, Intelsat 22, on orbit and performing as predicted, we are pleased to advance to this next step in Intelsat’s quest to expand its global capacity."
 
Intelsat 21, which will replace the Intelsat 9 satellite at 302 degrees east, will provide high-capacity video service to media customers in Latin America and the Caribbean. It also will offer South Atlantic coverage for customers engaged in mobile operations such as shipping and air traffic, as part of Intelsat's global Ku-band coverage scheduled for completion in early 2013.
 
Boeing introduced the 702MP spacecraft in 2009 to meet the needs of customers seeking satellites in the medium-power ranges. The 702MP provides the high-capability features inherent in the flight-proven Boeing 702HP satellite model, but with a substantially updated satellite bus structure and simplified propulsion system. The Boeing 702MP is designed to provide 15 or more years of satellite service.
 
Intelsat is the leading provider of satellite services worldwide. For over 45 years, Intelsat has been delivering information and entertainment for many of the world's leading media and network companies, multinational corporations, Internet service providers and governmental agencies. Intelsat's satellite, teleport and fiber infrastructure is unmatched in the industry, setting the standard for transmissions of video, data and voice services. From the globalization of content and the proliferation of HD, to the expansion of cellular networks and broadband access, with Intelsat, advanced communications anywhere in the world are closer, by far.
 
http://boeing.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=43&item=2371

[Salo Ukr]

Sea Launch Prepares for the Launch of Intelsat 21

Bern, Switzerland, August 6, 2012 – The Sea Launch vessels have departed Sea Launch Home Port in Long Beach, Calif., for the equator, in preparation for the launch of the Intelsat 21 satellite.  Liftoff is planned for 23:56 Pacific Daylight Time (PDT) on Thursday, August 16 (06:56 UTC/GMT on August 17), at the opening of a 58-minute launch window. 

Upon their arrival at the launch site at 154 degrees West longitude, the Sea Launch team will initiate a 72-hour countdown.   After ballasting the launch platform Odyssey to launch depth, the team will roll out and erect a Zenit-3SL rocket on the launch pad, execute final tests and proceed with fueling operations and launch. Prior to fueling, all personnel on the launch platform will transfer to the Sea Launch Commander for the duration of the mission. The team monitors both marine and launch operations remotely from the ship, positioned about four miles up range of the platform.

On launch day, the Zenit-3SL vehicle will lift the 5,984 kilogram (13,192 lb.) Intelsat 21 spacecraft into a defined high-perigee geosynchronous transfer orbit.  Based on the BSSI 702MP platform, Intelsat 21 will refresh capacity for one of Latin America's most popular media distribution neighborhoods, serving direct-to-home (DTH) and cable programmers. The satellite is designed to provide 18 or more years of service and features C-band services for North America, South America and Europe, and Ku-band services for North America, the Caribbean, Brazil and Europe.  Replacing Intelsat 9, Intelsat 21 also features a Ku-band mobility beam, providing coverage across the South Atlantic to Intelsat's maritime and aeronautical customers.  Intelsat's global mobility platform is scheduled for completion in early 2013. The satellite's final orbital location will be 302 degrees East longitude.

http://www.sea-launch.com/news_releases/2012/nr_120806.html

[catdlr]

Out at Sea:

[Chris Bergin]

Awesome!

Handy tip. Follow: Kirk Pysher @ELUS_COO - he's involved with this mission again.

[kevin-rf]

Any word if the Proton Briz-M failure will have a knock on effect?

[Nicolas PILLET]

Any word if the Proton Briz-M failure will have a knock on effect?

Absolutely no relation.

[anik]

According to Novosti kosmonavtiki forum, the launch is delayed by one day.

[jacqmans]

Sea Launch Begins Countdown for Intelsat 21 Launch







Bern, Switzerland, August 14, 2012 – The Sea Launch and Energia Logistics teams have initiated the automated L-72 hour launch countdown sequence at its equatorial launch site on August 14. Launch operations are now underway at the Equator, at 154 degrees West longitude. The Sea Launch Commander is positioned alongside the Launch Platform Odyssey, with the two vessels periodically connected by a link bridge that facilitates foot traffic between the vessels. A day before liftoff, the Zenit-3SL rocket will be erected on the launch pad for final tests of the launch system and spacecraft, prior to start of the terminal countdown.   

The launch of the Intelsat-21 communications satellite is presently scheduled for Friday, August 17th at 23:56 PDT (06:56 UTC/GMT, Saturday, August 18).

During final preparations for liftoff, the platform will be evacuated, with all personnel positioned on the ship, three miles up range from the platform. At launch, the rocket will lift the 5,984 kilograms (13,192 lbs.) spacecraft to geosynchronous transfer orbit, on its way to a final orbital location.

Based upon the Boeing Satellite Systems Inc. (BSSI) 702MP platform, Intelsat 21 will refresh capacity for one of Latin America's most popular media distribution neighborhoods, serving direct-to-home (DTH) and cable programmers. Intelsat 21 will be located at 302 degrees East longitude and will replace the IS-9 satellite.

Sea Launch will carry live coverage of this mission streaming video on the Sea Launch website, beginning 15 minutes before the scheduled launch time, or 23:41 PDT (06:41 UTC/GMT, Saturday, August 18). The webcast may be viewed at:
www.sea-launch.com/current_index_webcast.html.

Details of the spacecraft, its payload, as well as the launch vehicle's mission profile, launch timelines, groundtrack, injection orbit, launch campaign highlights and mission album images can be found at:

http://www.sea-launch.com/current_launch_intelsat21.htm
 

http://www.sea-launch.com/news_releases/2012/nr_120814.html

[input~2]

NOTAM for restricted zone around platform and Zenit 1st stage - fairing drop zones

A0311/12 - DUE TO SEA LAUNCH WITHIN AN AREA BOUNDED BY:
0015N15315W 0015S15315W 0015S15420W 0015N15420W 
TO POINT OF ORIGIN 
0012N14610W 0012S14610W 0012S14810W 0012N14810W
TO POINT OF ORIGIN
0018N14340W 0018S14340W 0018S14620W 0018N14620W
TO POINT OF ORIGIN
THIS AREA IS A DANGER ZONE DURING ACTIVITY
ATS ROUTE B454 NOT AVAILABLE. SFC - UNL, 18 AUG 06:19 2012 UNTIL 18 AUG 08:24
2012. CREATED: 14 AUG 22:10 2012

[Artyom.]

According to Interfax, the launch is delayed by one day. Now, on August 19  .

[input~2]

According to Interfax, the launch is delayed by one day. Now, on August 19  .

Delay due to a defective equipment on the launch platform
http://www.ria.ru/science/20120816/725081008.html (in Russian)

[input~2]

Adjusted NOTAM

08/061 (A3474/12) - AIRSPACE DCC SEA LAUNCH STATIONARY RESERVATION 
WITHIN AN AREA BNDD BY 0015N/15315W 0015S/15315W 0015S/15420W 
0015N/15420W SFC-UNL. 19 AUG 06:18 2012 UNTIL 19 AUG 08:23 2012. CREATED: 16
AUG 11:03 2012

[input~2]

Navigational warning including Zenit-3SL 2nd stage drop zone
A: Zone surrounding launch platform
B: 1st stage drop zone
C: fairing drop zone
D: 2nd stage drop zone

NAVAREA XII    222/2012(22,83). 
EASTERN PACIFIC.
ROCKETS.
1. HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS 190618Z TO 190823Z AUG
   IN AREAS BETWEEN:
   A. 00-15N 00-15S AND 153-15W 154-20W.
   B. 00-12N 00-12S AND 146-10W 148-10W.
   C. 00-18N 00-18S AND 143-40W 146-20W.
   D. 00-25N 00-25S AND 107-50W 113-40W.
2. CANCEL NAVAREA XII 217/12.
3. CANCEL THIS MSG 190923Z AUG 12.
(160629Z AUG 2012)

[input~2]

Since the 2nd stage is dropped over a No-FIR region, AFAICT no NOTAM is published for this piece of debris