Anatoly Zak has reported this last November.QuoteIn the meantime, the list of Russian federal missions requiring Proton for launches in 2014, also grew exponentially and, apparently, included a mysterious military satellite dubbed Olymp (Olympus), which was not previously identified in any public source. Given the fact that in 2014 Russia was to host winter Olympics in Sochi, one could speculate that the name was assigned recently to a new-generation military satellite. The Soviet space history knows a few examples when the vehicle developed under a numeric code would receive a proper name shortly before reaching a launch pad. During the post-Soviet period, the Russian Ministry of Defense routinely declassified names for past and even current military satellites, while keeping most other details about their missions under wraps.Multiple sources did confirm that one classified payload was "booked" for Proton in 2014 in addition to the Garpun data-relay satellite, but did not provide any additional details on the nature of that second mission: Launch period Payload Customer 1 Late February Ekspress-AT1 and Ekspress-AT2 Russian Satellite Communications Company, RSCC 2 Late March Ekspress-AM4R Russian Satellite Communications Company, RSCC 3 April to June Garpun Russian Ministry of Defense 4 April to June Olymp Russian Ministry of Defense 5 April to June Yamal-401 Gazprom space systems 6 June to August KazSat-3 and Luch-5V Kazakhstan and Russian space agency, Roskosmos 7 August to October Ekspress-AM7 Russian Satellite Communications Company, RSCC http://www.russianspaceweb.com/proton_2013.html#1017
In the meantime, the list of Russian federal missions requiring Proton for launches in 2014, also grew exponentially and, apparently, included a mysterious military satellite dubbed Olymp (Olympus), which was not previously identified in any public source. Given the fact that in 2014 Russia was to host winter Olympics in Sochi, one could speculate that the name was assigned recently to a new-generation military satellite. The Soviet space history knows a few examples when the vehicle developed under a numeric code would receive a proper name shortly before reaching a launch pad. During the post-Soviet period, the Russian Ministry of Defense routinely declassified names for past and even current military satellites, while keeping most other details about their missions under wraps.Multiple sources did confirm that one classified payload was "booked" for Proton in 2014 in addition to the Garpun data-relay satellite, but did not provide any additional details on the nature of that second mission: Launch period Payload Customer 1 Late February Ekspress-AT1 and Ekspress-AT2 Russian Satellite Communications Company, RSCC 2 Late March Ekspress-AM4R Russian Satellite Communications Company, RSCC 3 April to June Garpun Russian Ministry of Defense 4 April to June Olymp Russian Ministry of Defense 5 April to June Yamal-401 Gazprom space systems 6 June to August KazSat-3 and Luch-5V Kazakhstan and Russian space agency, Roskosmos 7 August to October Ekspress-AM7 Russian Satellite Communications Company, RSCC
ILS and ISS Reshetnev Announce Proton Dual Launch Agreementhttp://www.ilslaunch.com/newsroom/news-releases/ils-and-iss-reshetnev-announce-proton-dual-launch-agreementWashington, D.C., USA, March 10, 2014 International Launch Services (ILS) and JSC Academician M.F. Reshetnev Information Satellite Systems (ISS Reshetnev) signed an agreement today to collaborate on opportunities to launch two spacecraft utilizing a dedicated ILS Proton launch vehicle.The agreement, signed by ILS President, Phil Slack and ISS Reshetnev General Director, Nikolay Testoyedov, states that both companies will mutually cooperate on identifying spacecraft that can be dual launched in a stacked configurationwith the lower spacecraft supporting the upper spacecraft--on the Proton launch vehicle. With this agreement, ILS would identify non-Russian spacecraft that could be paired with ISS Reshetnev-built spacecraft and together, the companies would assess the technical feasibility.ILS and ISS Reshetnev officials will meet on a regular basis to evaluate the commercial environment and any mutually beneficial joint initiatives that would serve the global satellite industry.Phil Slack said, This agreement puts in a place a solid foundation for our cooperation with ISS Reshetnevone of the most prolific spacecraft manufacturersin meeting the commercial demand for a cost effective solution to launching lighter spacecraft. This is an innovative approach that will certainly be of great benefit to our existing customers and new entrants alike.Our familiarity with ILS, Khrunichev and the Proton launch vehicle creates the perfect scenario which will be advantageous for all of those involved. It will allow ISS Reshetnev satellites to be launched in a timely manner with competitive pricing for the companion spacecraft. We look forward to further collaborating with ILS and providing outstanding access to space, said Nikolay Testoyedov.
Peter B. de Selding @pbdesILS: 4-5 cmmercial Proton launches in 2014, v. 7 in 2013 w/ high Russ govt demand. 2nd of 2 remaining Inmarsat GX launches may slip to 2015.
By March 2014, the work on the upgrades to Pad 39 at Site 200 in Baikonur apparently required to postpone the launch of the Russian Ekspress-AM4R communications satellite, which was scheduled for April 6, 2014.
http://www.russianspaceweb.com/proton_2014.htmlQuoteBy March 2014, the work on the upgrades to Pad 39 at Site 200 in Baikonur apparently required to postpone the launch of the Russian Ekspress-AM4R communications satellite, which was scheduled for April 6, 2014.So Luch-5V/KazSat-3 next on the Proton firing line? (still on April 28 apparently)
By March 2014, the work on the upgrades to Pad 39 at Site 200 in Baikonur likely required to postpone the launch of the Russian Ekspress-AM4R communications satellite from April 6, 2014, to around May 16.As a result, Proton mission to launch the KazSat-3 communications satellite for the government of Kazakhstan and the Luch-5V data relay satellite scheduled to lift off around April 28, would follow the launch of Ekspress-AT1 and AT-2 satellites on March 16.In turn, the launch of Ekspress-AM4R satellite would be followed by a classified Proton mission carrying a secret payload known as Olymp ("Olympus") or Luch ("beam") at the end of May 2014.
Quote from: anik on 02/27/2014 11:01 amDates of launches are updated according to Interfax report.The launch of Soyuz TMA-12M is planned at 21:17:25 UTC on March 25th.Hmm.....there's a 4th Luch floating around? Strange...... (unless it's the ex-Luch-4? However I don't think it is even close to being completed....) BTW here's the original source: http://www.militarynews.ru/fcl_l/news.asp?id=333261
Dates of launches are updated according to Interfax report.The launch of Soyuz TMA-12M is planned at 21:17:25 UTC on March 25th.