Author Topic: LIVE: Soyuz ST-A Flight VS17 - SES-15 - May 18, 2017  (Read 38663 times)

Online FutureSpaceTourist

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Re: Soyuz ST-B Flight VS17 - SES-15 - May 18, 2017
« Reply #20 on: 05/12/2017 04:16 pm »

Offline Jester

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Re: Soyuz ST-B Flight VS17 - SES-15 - May 18, 2017
« Reply #21 on: 05/15/2017 11:19 am »
In the Arianespace Launch Schedule, it says that SES-15 is launching atop the Soyuz-STA Fregat-M variant.

Any sources confirming that?
Arianespace mission 17was originally ordered as am ST-B but changed to an ST-A per http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=17286.550

But, why?

havent checked, a guess-> ST-B performance not needed, ST-A cheaper.

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Re: Soyuz ST-B Flight VS17 - SES-15 - May 18, 2017
« Reply #22 on: 05/15/2017 12:30 pm »
Quote
DutchSpace‏ @DutchSpace 3m3 minutes ago

Meanwhile #SES15 was moved from S1B to S3B last week for fueling and will move again today for launch prep on #Soyuz #VS17

https://twitter.com/DutchSpace/status/864094725007081472

Offline bolun

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Re: Soyuz ST-B Flight VS17 - SES-15 - May 18, 2017
« Reply #23 on: 05/15/2017 08:13 pm »
May 15, 2017

Soyuz’ “upper composite” with SES-15 is readied for Arianespace’s next launch from the Spaceport

Payload build-up is underway in French Guiana for Arianespace's medium-lift Soyuz mission this week, which is to orbit the SES-15 telecommunications satellite for European-based operator SES.

These preparations – performed inside the Spaceport’s S3B clean room facility – involved the installation of SES-15 atop Soyuz’ Fregat upper stage, enabling its encapsulation in the two-piece protective payload fairing.

The completed unit, called the “upper composite,” will be mated atop Soyuz after the vehicle’s rollout from the MIK integration building – where launcher assembly is handled – to the ELS launch zone.

Another milestone flight for Soyuz

Scheduled for liftoff on May 18 at precisely 8:54:53 a.m. local time in French Guiana, Soyuz will carry out a 5-hr., 18-min. mission from launch to SES-15’s separation into a sub-geostationary transfer orbit. Fregat – which is responsible for the final orbital maneuvers – will perform two burns separated by a four-hour-plus ballistic phase to reach the targeted deployment point.

SES-15 will be the 40th spacecraft orbited by Arianespace for SES, and its launch marks this long-time customer’s first use of Soyuz from French Guiana. The Boeing-built satellite has an estimated liftoff mass of 2,302 kg., with the mission’s total lift performance set at 2,447 kg. – taking into account the payload integration equipment and other hardware.

Arianespace’s May 18 mission, designated Flight VS17 in the company’s numbering system, will be the second-ever launch to geostationary transfer orbit performed by Soyuz from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana. The first was conducted earlier this year, with the Hispasat 36W-1 satellite successfully deployed on January 27.

 http://www.arianespace.com/mission-update/soyuz-vs17-upper-composite/

Launch window for Flight VS17

Liftoff is scheduled for Thursday, May 18, 2017 at exactly:

- French Guiana: 08:54:53 a.m.

- Universal Time (UTC): 11:54:53 a.m.

- Washington, D.C.: 07:54:53 a.m.

- Luxembourg: 01:54:53 p.m.

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Re: Soyuz ST-B Flight VS17 - SES-15 - May 18, 2017
« Reply #24 on: 05/16/2017 09:20 am »
Quote
DutchSpace‏ @DutchSpace 1m1 minute ago

Launch is getting close, nice shot of #SES15 being mated with Fregat #Soyuz #VS17 #CSG @SES_Satellites

https://twitter.com/DutchSpace/status/864409557170311168

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Re: Soyuz ST-B Flight VS17 - SES-15 - May 18, 2017
« Reply #25 on: 05/16/2017 03:55 pm »

Offline Nicolas PILLET

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Re: Soyuz ST-B Flight VS17 - SES-15 - May 18, 2017
« Reply #26 on: 05/16/2017 04:50 pm »

havent checked, a guess-> ST-B performance not needed, ST-A cheaper.


Maybe at some point this flight was supposed to carry another payload ?
Nicolas PILLET
Kosmonavtika : The French site on Russian Space

Offline BabaORileyUSA

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Re: Soyuz ST-B Flight VS17 - SES-15 - May 18, 2017
« Reply #27 on: 05/16/2017 05:17 pm »

havent checked, a guess-> ST-B performance not needed, ST-A cheaper.


Maybe at some point this flight was supposed to carry another payload ?

I'm wondering if it has to do with quality control at the Voronezh Mechanical Plant, where they make the Soyuz and Proton engines....

Offline jacqmans

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Re: Soyuz ST-B Flight VS17 - SES-15 - May 18, 2017
« Reply #28 on: 05/17/2017 09:58 am »
Jacques :-)

Offline jacqmans

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Re: Soyuz ST-B Flight VS17 - SES-15 - May 18, 2017
« Reply #29 on: 05/17/2017 09:58 am »
Jacques :-)

Offline jacqmans

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Re: Soyuz ST-B Flight VS17 - SES-15 - May 18, 2017
« Reply #30 on: 05/17/2017 09:58 am »
Jacques :-)

Offline jacqmans

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Re: Soyuz ST-B Flight VS17 - SES-15 - May 18, 2017
« Reply #31 on: 05/17/2017 10:02 am »
May 16, 2017 

Assembled for launch: Soyuz receives the SES-15 passenger for its May 18 liftoff

SES-15 is another step closer to its Thursday liftoff as this telecommunications satellite has now been positioned atop Arianespace's Soyuz launcher in French Guiana.

Integration occurred this week during activity at the Spaceport, in which the basic three-stage Russian-built Soyuz vehicle was rolled out from its MIK integration building and erected on the launch pad.

This was followed by transfer of the mission’s “upper composite” – consisting of SES-15, the Fregat upper stage and payload fairing – for integration atop Soyuz, which is enclosed inside a protective mobile gantry.

With Soyuz completed, all is now ready for the final checkout and tomorrow’s Launch Readiness Review – which will clear the way for a May 18 morning departure of the medium-lift mission, designated Flight VS17 in Arianespace’s launcher family numbering system.

Soyuz’ second Spaceport mission to GTO

Flight VS17 will be the second-ever launch to geostationary transfer orbit performed by Soyuz from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana. The first was conducted earlier this year, successfully deploying Hispasat 36W-1 on January 27.

SES-15, produced by Boeing using the all‐electric 702SP platform, will be the 40th spacecraft orbited by Arianespace for long-time customer SES. It is to be operated from an orbital position of 129 deg. West, with the satellite offering extensive coverage over North America, Mexico and Central America – stretching from Arctic Alaska to the South of Panama, and from Hawaii to the Caribbean.

The spacecraft has an estimated liftoff mass of 2,302 kg., with the workhorse Soyuz launcher’s total lift performance set at 2,447 kg. – factoring in the payload integration equipment and other hardware.

http://www.arianespace.com/mission-update/soyuz-assembled-for-vs17-launch/
Jacques :-)

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Re: Soyuz ST-B Flight VS17 - SES-15 - May 18, 2017
« Reply #32 on: 05/17/2017 12:44 pm »
Another ESA shot of VS17 (there's a thumbnail on the ESA website but no larger vision I could find yet):

Quote
DutchSpace‏ @DutchSpace 7m7 minutes ago

Close to launch, not to the moon but a nice shot anyway... #VS17 #SES15 #CSG #Soyuz

https://twitter.com/DutchSpace/status/864821905613783040

Offline Nicolas PILLET

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Re: Soyuz ST-B Flight VS17 - SES-15 - May 18, 2017
« Reply #33 on: 05/17/2017 05:13 pm »
I'm wondering if it has to do with quality control at the Voronezh Mechanical Plant, where they make the Soyuz and Proton engines....

Problems with RD-0110 engine in VMZ are now resolved. The engine has flown twice since the December failure.

If there were any problem with a CSG-involved launch, it would have led to a report of the launch, not to a switch to a very more expensive launcher !

Do not see Evil everywhere...
Nicolas PILLET
Kosmonavtika : The French site on Russian Space

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Re: Soyuz ST-B Flight VS17 - SES-15 - May 18, 2017
« Reply #34 on: 05/17/2017 07:10 pm »
Quote
#Soyuz is ready for flight! The launch readiness review has cleared this vehicle for tomorrow’s #VS17 liftoff w/ @SES_Satellites’ #SES-15

https://twitter.com/arianespaceceo/status/864896426240876544

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Online Lewis007

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Re: LIVE: Soyuz ST-B Flight VS17 - SES-15 - May 18, 2017
« Reply #36 on: 05/18/2017 07:42 am »
Some pics of the earlier Soyuz roll-out (before payload mate).
Source: CSG facebook.

Offline jacqmans

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Re: LIVE: Soyuz ST-B Flight VS17 - SES-15 - May 18, 2017
« Reply #37 on: 05/18/2017 09:55 am »
May 17, 2017 

Arianespace’s Soyuz is approved for liftoff with SES-15

Authorization has been given for tomorrow’s Arianespace Soyuz launch from French Guiana, providing the “all clear” for this medium-lift mission that will orbit a telecommunications satellite for European-based operator SES.

The approval was granted today after the regular pre-launch review for Arianespace flights – which confirmed the readiness of Soyuz and its SES-15 satellite passenger, the launch site and associated infrastructure at the Spaceport, as well as the network of downrange tracking stations.

The May 18 mission – designated VS17 in Arianespace’s numbering system – will be performed from the purpose-built ELS launch facility for Soyuz. Liftoff is scheduled at precisely 8:54:53 a.m. local time in French Guiana, with SES-15 to be deployed during a flight lasting approximately 5 hrs., 18 min.

Built by Boeing, SES-15 will be the 40th spacecraft orbited by Arianespace for long-time customer SES. It has an estimated liftoff mass of 2,302 kg., while the mission’s total lift performance to geostationary transfer orbit is set at 2,447 kg. – taking into account the payload integration equipment and other hardware.

SES-15 is to be operated by SES from an orbital position of 129 deg. West, with the satellite offering extensive coverage over North America, Mexico and Central America – stretching from Arctic Alaska to the South of Panama, and from Hawaii to the Caribbean.

Flight VS17 will be Arianespace’s fifth mission performed so far in 2017 (following two using the heavy-lift Ariane 5, and one each with the medium-lift Soyuz and lightweight Vega), as well as the 17th Soyuz liftoff performed from French Guiana since this vehicle’s 2011 introduction at the Spaceport.

http://www.arianespace.com/mission-update/vs17-ral-ses-15/
Jacques :-)

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Re: LIVE: Soyuz ST-B Flight VS17 - SES-15 - May 18, 2017
« Reply #38 on: 05/18/2017 10:03 am »
Jacques :-)

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