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International Space Flight (ESA, Russia, China and others) => Russian Launchers - Soyuz, Progress and Uncrewed => Topic started by: anik on 06/01/2011 05:19 pm

Title: FAILURE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: anik on 06/01/2011 05:19 pm
The launch of Proton-M rocket with Briz-M upper stage and Ekspress-AM4 satellite from Baikonur cosmodrome is planned on September 15th.
Title: Re: LIVE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: anik on 07/01/2011 03:58 pm
The launch is moved up to August 18th.
Title: Re: LIVE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: Stan Black on 07/10/2011 09:13 am
Briz-M delivered to Baikonur 6th July 2011
http://www.roscosmos.ru/main.php?id=2&nid=17498
Title: Re: LIVE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: Stan Black on 07/18/2011 05:45 pm
Campaign begins
http://www.federalspace.ru/main.php?id=2&nid=17574

Anyone know when the Proton was delivered. Serial numbers anyone?
Title: Re: LIVE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: Satori on 07/18/2011 05:56 pm
Campaign begins
http://www.federalspace.ru/main.php?id=2&nid=17574

Anyone know when the Proton was delivered. Serial numbers anyone?

8K82KM Proton-M/Briz-M (93521/99522)
Title: Re: LIVE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: Stan Black on 07/18/2011 07:10 pm
Campaign begins
http://www.federalspace.ru/main.php?id=2&nid=17574

Anyone know when the Proton was delivered. Serial numbers anyone?

8K82KM Proton-M/Briz-M (93521/99522)

Thank you!

 Dare I say, if Wikipedia (http://ru.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Протон_(ракета-носитель)&oldid=29831285) can be trusted then that Briz was originally for Amos-5 / Luch-5A…
Title: Re: LIVE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: Nicolas PILLET on 07/21/2011 12:37 pm
Ekspress AM4 has been delivered to Baikonur from EADS Astrium (Toulouse) on 19th july.

http://www.roscosmos.ru/main.php?id=2&nid=17589
Title: Re: LIVE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: anik on 07/21/2011 01:17 pm
Ekspress AM4 has been delivered to Baikonur from EADS Astrium (Toulouse) on 19th july

Departed, not delivered. Delivery is planned for tomorrow. The satellite is in Ulyanovsk now.
Title: Re: LIVE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: Olaf on 07/22/2011 09:01 am
Ekspress-AM4 arrived today at Baikonur.
http://www.federalspace.ru/main.php?id=2&nid=17596
Title: Re: LIVE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: tehwkd on 08/15/2011 10:22 am
Launch is scheduled for Aug 17, 2125 UTC / 5:25pm EDT / Aug 18, 01:25 am MSK / 6:25am JST
http://roscosmos.ru/main.php?id=2&nid=17709
Title: Re: LIVE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: Gorizont on 08/15/2011 02:02 pm
First images of this rocket on Roscosmos´ webpage.
http://www.federalspace.ru/main.php?id=2&nid=17709 (http://www.federalspace.ru/main.php?id=2&nid=17709)

greetings...
Soeren
Title: Re: LIVE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: Satori on 08/16/2011 10:37 am
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2D9SXa0yHkE&feature=feedu
Title: Re: LIVE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: Satori on 08/17/2011 07:41 am
TsENKI will webcast the launch at http://www.tsenki.com/broadcast/ and Khrunichev at http://coopi.khrunichev.ru/main.php?id=427.
Title: Re: LIVE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: Satori on 08/17/2011 07:57 pm
Live from Baykonur Cosmodrome...
Title: Re: LIVE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: Satori on 08/17/2011 08:06 pm
Title: Re: LIVE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: Satori on 08/17/2011 08:16 pm
Title: Re: LIVE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: Satori on 08/17/2011 08:18 pm
Service tower being moved to the launch position...
Title: Re: LIVE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: Satori on 08/17/2011 08:19 pm
Title: Re: LIVE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: Satori on 08/17/2011 08:20 pm
Title: Re: LIVE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: Satori on 08/17/2011 08:22 pm
Title: Re: LIVE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: Satori on 08/17/2011 08:23 pm
Waiting for the Khrunichev webcast to start...
Title: Re: LIVE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: Satori on 08/17/2011 08:25 pm
Launch is schedule for 2125:01UTC.

This is Proton-M/Briz-M (93521/99522)
Title: Re: LIVE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: Satori on 08/17/2011 08:32 pm
T-54 minutes.

Everything looks fine for the launch of Ekspress-AM4 from Baikonur.

Launcher and satellite on the final phases of preparation for launch.
Title: Re: LIVE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: Satori on 08/17/2011 08:37 pm
Title: Re: LIVE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: Satori on 08/17/2011 08:40 pm
The spacecraft is built by EADS Astrium, Europe's leading satellite manufacturer, in collaboration with Russia's Khrunichev Space Center under a contract to Russian Space Communications Company.

The Express-AM4 mission will be the third Proton launch of 2011 and the 366th Proton flight overall.

The most powerful satellite ever built in Europe, Express-AM4 will be the 50th Eurostar spacecraft to reach geostationary orbit.

Express-AM4 Communications Satellite

Express-AM4 is a new powerful communications satellite built by Europe's satellite manufacturer Astrium in association with Russia's Khrunichev Space Center for Russian Space Communications Company, RSCC.

The Express-AM4 spacecraft is based on the highly successful Astrium's Eurostar E3000 satellite design. Since the launch of the first ever Eurostar in 1990, over 45 Eurostars have been successfully delivered to geostationary orbit, clocking up a total of nearly 400 years of service.

Express-AM4 has 63 active transponders operating in L, C, Ku and Ka bands. Its twelve antennas will provide high performance coverage over the Russian Federation and the CIS countries and its steerable antennas can be used to provide communication to any point within the satellite's field of view. With an electrical power of more than 16 kW, Express-AM4 is the most powerful satellite ever built in Europe.

Designed for 15 years of service, Express-AM4 will be positioned in geostationary orbit at 80° East longitude, Russia's key orbital communications location. RSCC is currently looking for high power satellites to complement its existing fleet and fulfill growing needs for satellite capacity. Express-AM4 is the first and major milestone in this ambitious program.

For parallel manufacture, the square-shaped satellite is based on the modular principle and consists of a service module and a communications payload, with the equipment mounted on aluminum honeycomb panels.

The service module is a standard Eurostar E3000 service module without a plasma propulsion system. Four identical propellant tanks are mounted around the module's cylinder-shaped body to fuel the liquid apogee engine that is fixed in the module's center and seven propellant assemblies that house main and redundant low thrust engines. The bipropellant propulsion system uses MON and N2H4 to accurately maintain the satellite's orbital position.

During the early stages of the mission and, if necessary, in emergency situations, the satellite will be contacted and controlled via directional antennas by two sets of C-band receivers and amplifiers. Once Express-AM4 enters service, it will use the payload's omni antennas for communication. The craft's software can support up to 30 days of autonomous flight.

Express-AM4 is powered by two wings of solar arrays, each having five panels of triple junction GaAs cells, and two Li-Ion batteries, offering end-of-life power of 8.5 kW.

Temperature control is provided by heat pipes routed on the north and south consoles. Heaters are operated automatically or by command.

The satellite's orientation is determined by two earth sensors, seven sun sensors and two gyroscopes and is controlled by four reaction wheels. Express-AM4's communications payload includes:
- 24 active C-band transponders (95W TWTAs), with possible extension to 30 transponders based on available capacity and thermal emission;
- 16 active Ku-band transponders (185W TWTAs);
- 12 active multi-beam Ku-band transponders (136W TWTAs);
- 2 active Ka-band transponders (125W TWTAs);
- 1 active L-band transponder for regional coverage and 2 active L-band transponders for global coverage.

The satellite has 12 communications and relay antennas:
- two 2.6m deployable C-band reflectors;
- two C-band horns that transmit radio beacon signals and telemetry;
- two 2.2m deployable Ku-band reflectors;
- one 0.7m Ku-band reflector;
- one Ku-band horn to transmit radio beacon signals;
- two 0.6m Ka-band reflectors;
- two active L-band antenna feed arrays for regional and global coverage.

Intended to separate the adapter and the satellite in flight, the upper part is based on an 1194VX separation system designed and manufactured by RUAG Space AB (former Saab Space AB). It also includes two separation control sensors and telemetry sensors.

The lower part is an isogrid carbon fiber-reinforced plastic adapter which hosts two brackets with separation connectors, a telemetry sensor and a cable network. The outer surface of adapter system is covered with MLI to maintain the required temperatures across both the spacecraft and the separation system.

The relative velocity of the separated parts is provided by the spring pushers.
Title: Re: LIVE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: Satori on 08/17/2011 08:43 pm
Express-AM4 Specifications

Applications    Communications and broadcasting
Orbit    GEO
Orbital Location    80 degrees East
Operator    Russian Space Communications
Company, RSCC
Coverage    Russia, CIS counties
Prime Contractor    Khrunichev Space Center teaming with Astrium
Platform    Eurostar E3000
Mission Life    15 years
Solar Arrays    Five panels per array, GaAs cells
Batteries    Two Li-Ion batteries
Stabilization    3-axis
Station Keeping    ±0.05 deg (north-south/east-west)
Launch Mass    5,775 kg
Dry Mass    2,860 kg
Dimensions
Stowed    2.1m x 2.35m x 6.22m
Deployed    8.8m x 44.7m x 6.22m
Power    18.5 kW
Payload
Mass    1,465 kg
Power Consumption    14 kW
Number-of Transponders / Bandwidth, MHz:
C-band    30/40
Ku-band    28 / 36 and 54
L-band    3/0,5 and 1
Ka-band    2/112
Title: Re: LIVE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: Satori on 08/17/2011 08:44 pm
This is not an ILS mission, but the info about the Proton-M/Briz-M is still valid...
Title: Re: LIVE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: Satori on 08/17/2011 08:46 pm
Webcast from Khrunichev started then stoped... Some file images of the Ekspress-AM4...
Title: Re: LIVE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: Satori on 08/17/2011 08:47 pm
And is on again...
Title: Re: LIVE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: Satori on 08/17/2011 08:52 pm
Launch vehicle preparation...
Title: Re: LIVE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: Satori on 08/17/2011 08:53 pm
Title: Re: LIVE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: Satori on 08/17/2011 08:54 pm
Title: Re: LIVE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: Satori on 08/17/2011 08:55 pm
Title: Re: LIVE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: Satori on 08/17/2011 08:56 pm
Transportation of launcher to the fueling station...
Title: Re: LIVE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: Satori on 08/17/2011 08:58 pm
State Commission and transport to the launch pad...
Title: Re: LIVE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: Satori on 08/17/2011 08:59 pm
Title: Re: LIVE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: Satori on 08/17/2011 08:59 pm
Title: Re: LIVE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: Satori on 08/17/2011 09:01 pm
Everything looks good for launch... T-20 minutes...
Title: Re: LIVE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: Satori on 08/17/2011 09:06 pm
Title: Re: LIVE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: Satori on 08/17/2011 09:14 pm
T-7 minutes...
Title: Re: LIVE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: Satori on 08/17/2011 09:17 pm
T-5 minutes...
Title: Re: LIVE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: Satori on 08/17/2011 09:23 pm
Was a little ahead of time...
Title: Re: LIVE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: Satori on 08/17/2011 09:24 pm
One minute to launch...
Title: Re: LIVE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: Satori on 08/17/2011 09:25 pm
LAUNCH!!!!!
Title: Re: LIVE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: Satori on 08/17/2011 09:27 pm
All nominal...

1/2 separation...
Title: Re: LIVE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: Satori on 08/17/2011 09:29 pm
Flight proceeding nominally...
Title: Re: LIVE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: Satori on 08/17/2011 09:30 pm
Stage 2/3 sep...
Title: Re: LIVE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: Satori on 08/17/2011 09:31 pm
Payload fairing jettison...
Title: Re: LIVE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: Satori on 08/17/2011 09:32 pm
Empty launch pad...
Title: Re: LIVE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: Chris Bergin on 08/17/2011 09:33 pm
Awesome. Usual nine hours of flight to come no doubt.
Title: Re: LIVE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: Satori on 08/17/2011 09:35 pm
Stage 3 main engine shutdown
Title: Re: LIVE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: Satori on 08/17/2011 09:35 pm
Stage 3 vernier engine shutdown
Title: Re: LIVE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: Satori on 08/17/2011 09:36 pm
Stage 3 / Orbital Unit separation. Into Briz-M first ignition...
Title: Re: LIVE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: Satori on 08/17/2011 09:38 pm
Does anyone has any information regarding the Briz-M ignitions? I suppose this will be a standard mission with five Briz-M ignitions and a 9 hour plus flight before spacecraft separation...
Title: Re: LIVE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: patchfree on 08/17/2011 09:40 pm
Hello Satori,

Where do you got your information about the flight? My live brodcast was without audio...
Title: Re: LIVE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: astropl on 08/17/2011 09:42 pm
Does anyone has any information regarding the Briz-M ignitions? I suppose this will be a standard mission with five Briz-M ignitions and a 9 hour plus flight before spacecraft separation...

Yes, standard five ignitions mission: http://www.space-center.ru/ApriEvents.aspx
Title: Re: LIVE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: Satori on 08/17/2011 09:44 pm
Does anyone has any information regarding the Briz-M ignitions? I suppose this will be a standard mission with five Briz-M ignitions and a 9 hour plus flight before spacecraft separation...

Yes, standard five ignitions mission: http://www.space-center.ru/ApriEvents.aspx

Thanks! Missed that!
Title: Re: LIVE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: Satori on 08/17/2011 09:44 pm
Hello Satori,

Where do you got your information about the flight? My live brodcast was without audio...

From http://www.space-center.ru/LiveGroundTrack.aspx
Title: Re: LIVE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: patchfree on 08/17/2011 09:45 pm
Hello Satori,

Where do you got your information about the flight? My live brodcast was without audio...

From http://www.space-center.ru/LiveGroundTrack.aspx

Thanks!
Title: Re: LIVE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: Satori on 08/17/2011 09:51 pm
Title: Re: LIVE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: Chris Bergin on 08/17/2011 10:02 pm
Great work Rui!

Speaking of which, here's William Graham's overview article:
http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2011/08/proton-m-launches-russias-ekspress-am4-communications-satellite/

(Great read, lots of info).
Title: Re: LIVE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: Lewis007 on 08/18/2011 06:53 am
Launch pictures available at the Roscosmos site:
http://www.roscosmos.ru/main.php?id=2&nid=17730
Title: Re: LIVE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: astropl on 08/18/2011 06:54 am
Bad news... From fourth ignition of Breeze no contact with stage and satellite.
Title: Re: LIVE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: Chris Bergin on 08/18/2011 07:43 am
Bad news... From fourth ignition of Breeze no contact with stage and satellite.

Uh oh!

Do we have a link?
Title: Re: LIVE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: astropl on 08/18/2011 07:46 am
Bad news... From fourth ignition of Breeze no contact with stage and satellite.

Uh oh!

Do we have a link?

Novosti Kosmonavtiki forum (http://www.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=11915&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=90).
NewsRu.com (http://www.newsru.com/russia/18aug2011/sputnik_express.html)
Title: Re: LIVE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: Galactic Penguin SST on 08/18/2011 07:51 am
Bad news... From fourth ignition of Breeze no contact with stage and satellite.

Uh oh!

Do we have a link?

Novosti Kosmonavtiki forum (http://www.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=11915&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=90).
NewsRu.com (http://www.newsru.com/russia/18aug2011/sputnik_express.html)

And on RIA Novosti too... Link (http://ria.ru/science/20110818/419360770.html)

Apparently contact was lost with the Breeze-M stage and the spacecraft before 0400 UTC, between the fourth and the fifth burns of the Breeze-M. If confirmed, it would be a major loss of the Russian communication network.
Title: Re: LIVE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: Chris Bergin on 08/18/2011 07:52 am
Thanks Astropl.

Reads that the Briz-M lost all power at fourth stage ignition. No hope for the satellite, as no power = no S/C Sep, regardless of the orbit etc :(
Title: Re: FAILURE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: Chris Bergin on 08/18/2011 08:07 am
Updated William's article.

http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2011/08/proton-m-launches-russias-ekspress-am4-communications-satellite/
Title: Re: FAILURE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: DavisSTS on 08/18/2011 09:06 am
That's unfortunate.
Title: Re: FAILURE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: robertross on 08/18/2011 11:21 am
That's unfortunate.

Agreed.

Thanks for the coverage though, notably Rui.
Title: Re: FAILURE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: Skyrocket on 08/18/2011 12:20 pm
Does anyone know, if the Ekspress-AM4 satellite was insured?
Title: Re: FAILURE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: astropl on 08/18/2011 12:26 pm
Does anyone know, if the Ekspress-AM4 satellite was insured?

According to Interfaks (http://www.interfax.ru/print.asp?sec=1446&id=204035), yes, it was (7+ billions roubels).
Title: Re: LIVE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: Danderman on 08/18/2011 01:03 pm
Thanks Astropl.

Reads that the Briz-M lost all power at fourth stage ignition. No hope for the satellite, as no power = no S/C Sep, regardless of the orbit etc :(

That is certainly a poor system architecture, if the satellite cannot separate itself from a dead upper stage.

Heads will roll.
Title: Re: FAILURE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: Space Pete on 08/18/2011 01:05 pm
Does this mean that Vladimir Popovkin will be fired now? ::)
Title: Re: FAILURE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: Danderman on 08/18/2011 01:13 pm
Does this mean that Vladimir Popovkin will be fired now? ::)

Typically, heads roll at the contractor level, which means that the impact will hit Khrunichev. Its one thing to have a component fail, but the system should have some capability of recovering from a single point failure. In this case, a failed capacitor or electrical connection caused complete LOM.
Title: Re: LIVE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: alk3997 on 08/18/2011 01:15 pm

That is certainly a poor system architecture, if the satellite cannot separate itself from a dead upper stage.

Heads will roll.


Could you please tell us how you would have designed the upper stage to avoid this problem?

Andy
Title: Re: FAILURE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: Skyrocket on 08/18/2011 01:20 pm
In this case, a failed capacitor or electrical connection caused complete LOM.

Source?

I do not think, that any concrete reason for the LOS has been published so early.
Title: Re: FAILURE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: Herb Schaltegger on 08/18/2011 01:20 pm
Does this mean that Vladimir Popovkin will be fired now? ::)

Typically, heads roll at the contractor level, which means that the impact will hit Khrunichev. Its one thing to have a component fail, but the system should have some capability of recovering from a single point failure. In this case, a failed capacitor or electrical connection caused complete LOM.


You have no idea if a single failed electronic component caused the failure.  You're speculating baselessly.

Besides, with regard to your "heads will roll" comment, this is hardly the first time a Briz-M has failed - how many heads are there left to be rolled over in the Russian aerospace industry these days then? ::)
Title: Re: LIVE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: Danderman on 08/18/2011 01:34 pm

That is certainly a poor system architecture, if the satellite cannot separate itself from a dead upper stage.

Heads will roll.


Could you please tell us how you would have designed the upper stage to avoid this problem?

Andy

A design that allows the payload to separate itself in the event of total system failure of the upper stage is not exactly rocket science.
Title: Re: FAILURE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: kevin-rf on 08/18/2011 01:34 pm

You have no idea if a single failed electronic component caused the failure.  You're speculating baselessly.

Spot on... It will be interesting to what they point to as the most likely cause. A baseless WAG, but often Russia failures get different groups pointing at other groups as the source of the failure.

Quote
Besides, with regard to your "heads will roll" comment, this is hardly the first time a Briz-M has failed - how many heads are there left to be rolled over in the Russian aerospace industry these days then? ::)

It was actually my first reaction, considering this is a high profile failure of a satellite that belongs to Russia. The failure will become political, this failure will catch the eye of Putin and Medvedev. Heads will roll, and not necessarily the heads responsible for it. I just hope too many careers and lives are not ruined by this mess.
Title: Re: FAILURE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: Danderman on 08/18/2011 01:35 pm
In this case, a failed capacitor or electrical connection caused complete LOM.

Source?

I do not think, that any concrete reason for the LOS has been published so early.

Ooops, no source, I am simply speculating that a power system failure was caused by a component, not a rapid unplanned disassembly of the Briz-M.
Title: Re: LIVE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: kevin-rf on 08/18/2011 01:37 pm

That is certainly a poor system architecture, if the satellite cannot separate itself from a dead upper stage.

Heads will roll.


Could you please tell us how you would have designed the upper stage to avoid this problem?

Andy

A design that allows the payload to separate itself in the event of total system failure of the upper stage is not exactly rocket science.


1. What good will it do, the fifth burn never happened. Not all satellites can recover from such a failure.
2. Name one LV that works that way.
Title: Re: LIVE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: Danderman on 08/18/2011 01:53 pm

That is certainly a poor system architecture, if the satellite cannot separate itself from a dead upper stage.

Heads will roll.


Could you please tell us how you would have designed the upper stage to avoid this problem?

Andy

A design that allows the payload to separate itself in the event of total system failure of the upper stage is not exactly rocket science.


1. What good will it do, the fifth burn never happened. Not all satellites can recover from such a failure.
2. Name one LV that works that way.

You are suggesting that there are no launch systems that allow the satellite to initiate separation?
Title: Re: FAILURE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: refsmmat on 08/18/2011 01:57 pm
Does Briz-M have a fail-safe tank pressure relief system?  I assume that in the case of a normal launch, after spacecraft separation the upper stage has a CCAM maneuver similar to Centaur to eliminate the chance of a residual fuel explosion.  Is there a failsafe system in case the stage is stranded without power while partially fuelled?  Just want to avoid debris-creating events like the one in February 2007:

http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap070222.html (http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap070222.html)
Title: Re: FAILURE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: kevin-rf on 08/18/2011 02:06 pm
Does Briz-M have a fail-safe tank pressure relief system?  I assume that in the case of a normal launch, after spacecraft separation the upper stage has a CCAM maneuver similar to Centaur to eliminate the chance of a residual fuel explosion.  Is there a failsafe system in case the stage is stranded without power while partially fuelled?  Just want to avoid debris-creating events like the one in February 2007:

http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap070222.html (http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap070222.html)

Considering that is the explosion of a Briz-M a year after it failed to place Badr-1 into the correct orbit, that may not be the case.
Title: Re: LIVE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: alk3997 on 08/18/2011 02:24 pm

That is certainly a poor system architecture, if the satellite cannot separate itself from a dead upper stage.

Heads will roll.


Could you please tell us how you would have designed the upper stage to avoid this problem?

Andy

A design that allows the payload to separate itself in the event of total system failure of the upper stage is not exactly rocket science.

So, every spacecraft manufacturer would have to include the necessary commands to separate its spacecraft from all types of rockets that could be used for that satellite?  Who tests to make sure the separation command doesn't inadvertently come from the satellite during ascent?

And, who actually generates the power for the pyro or spring command to function?  The satellite's power bus doesn't extend into the upper stage usually.  How about spin-up manuevers?  How does the command get to the upper stage computer which has no power?  Are you going to hard-wire into the separation system for every different type of upper stage?

So, actually it is rocket science.  I'll ask again, could you please tell us how you would have designed the upper stage to avoid this problem?  I would really like to know.
Title: Re: LIVE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: edkyle99 on 08/18/2011 02:58 pm
One object being tracked so far, in a (roughly) 147 x 11,338 km x 49.58 deg orbit.  It may be the Briz M drop tank, which would have jettisoned prior to the fourth burn.

 - Ed Kyle
Title: Re: FAILURE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: refsmmat on 08/18/2011 03:00 pm
Considering that is the explosion of a Briz-M a year after it failed to place Badr-1 into the correct orbit, that may not be the case.

That was a few years ago, just figured someone had time since to send a memo saying 'maybe we should start installing burst discs on these tanks just in case'.
Title: Re: LIVE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: Nomadd on 08/18/2011 03:18 pm

That is certainly a poor system architecture, if the satellite cannot separate itself from a dead upper stage.

Heads will roll.


Could you please tell us how you would have designed the upper stage to avoid this problem?

Andy

A design that allows the payload to separate itself in the event of total system failure of the upper stage is not exactly rocket science.

So, every spacecraft manufacturer would have to include the necessary commands to separate its spacecraft from all types of rockets that could be used for that satellite?  Who tests to make sure the separation command doesn't inadvertently come from the satellite during ascent?

And, who actually generates the power for the pyro or spring command to function?  The satellite's power bus doesn't extend into the upper stage usually.  How about spin-up manuevers?  How does the command get to the upper stage computer which has no power?  Are you going to hard-wire into the separation system for every different type of upper stage?

So, actually it is rocket science.  I'll ask again, could you please tell us how you would have designed the upper stage to avoid this problem?  I would really like to know.
A simple relay to transfer the pyro circuits to Payload when the stage loses power would address most that. I'd guess an added on connector for the high current signals. Not as sexy as 3 million lines of code, but more the Russian way anyhow. It obviously wouldn't use the upper stage computer if the upper stage were dead. There's no problem with simple, last ditch efforts if you don't have anything to lose.
Title: Re: FAILURE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: kevin-rf on 08/18/2011 03:19 pm
That was a few years ago, just figured someone had time since to send a memo saying 'maybe we should start installing burst discs on these tanks just in case'.

That is why I said "may".

That is problem with storable propellants, how do you get them out of the tanks of a dead stage. In the prior case when you mentioned Centaur, due to the propellants, good or bad, something would have already happened. Now we wait for something to leak, corrode, or fatigue (from the thermal cycles) and hope nothing mixes.

The burst disks only work if the pressure is changing inside the tanks. With storable propellants, that should not be happening.

Don't forget that the satellite which by all accounts is still attached to the Briz-m, has consumables on board that can cause long term problems.  It has not been, and it may not be possible at this point to safe. It has batteries that can potentially over charge and explode, it still has propellants on board, the system is still pressurized.
Title: Re: LIVE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: kevin-rf on 08/18/2011 03:23 pm
One object being tracked so far, in a (roughly) 147 x 11,338 km x 49.58 deg orbit.  It may be the Briz M drop tank, which would have jettisoned prior to the fourth burn.

The low perigee (91 miles) is good news. If it stays intact, it will quickly reenter.
Title: Re: LIVE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: Stan Black on 08/18/2011 03:33 pm
Great work Rui!

Speaking of which, here's William Graham's overview article:
http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2011/08/proton-m-launches-russias-ekspress-am4-communications-satellite/

(Great read, lots of info).

Good article but minor, minor quibble… 11D458M on the 935 series Briz-M
Title: Re: LIVE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: edkyle99 on 08/18/2011 03:34 pm
One object being tracked so far, in a (roughly) 147 x 11,338 km x 49.58 deg orbit.  It may be the Briz M drop tank, which would have jettisoned prior to the fourth burn.

The low perigee (91 miles) is good news. If it stays intact, it will quickly reenter.

I'm puzzled by that perigee.  The tank should have had a perigee of 265 km at least when it was jettisoned.  I doubt it would decay that quickly! 

Perhaps this is Briz M/Express AM4, knocked into a goofy orbit by a failure during its fourth burn?

 - Ed Kyle
Title: Re: LIVE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: alk3997 on 08/18/2011 03:37 pm

That is certainly a poor system architecture, if the satellite cannot separate itself from a dead upper stage.

Heads will roll.


Could you please tell us how you would have designed the upper stage to avoid this problem?

Andy

A design that allows the payload to separate itself in the event of total system failure of the upper stage is not exactly rocket science.

So, every spacecraft manufacturer would have to include the necessary commands to separate its spacecraft from all types of rockets that could be used for that satellite?  Who tests to make sure the separation command doesn't inadvertently come from the satellite during ascent?

And, who actually generates the power for the pyro or spring command to function?  The satellite's power bus doesn't extend into the upper stage usually.  How about spin-up manuevers?  How does the command get to the upper stage computer which has no power?  Are you going to hard-wire into the separation system for every different type of upper stage?

So, actually it is rocket science.  I'll ask again, could you please tell us how you would have designed the upper stage to avoid this problem?  I would really like to know.
A simple relay to transfer the pyro circuits to Payload when the stage loses power would address most that. I'd guess an added on connector for the high current signals. Not as sexy as 3 million lines of code, but more the Russian way anyhow. It obviously wouldn't use the upper stage computer if the upper stage were dead. There's no problem with simple, last ditch efforts if you don't have anything to lose.

Suppose the relay triggers inadvertently and now the upper stage can no longer control the pyros during a normal mission?  I'm not saying it isn't do-able, I'm just saying it isn't as easy as made out to be.

You would hate to lose a normal mission for the sake of a "nothing to lose" manuever. 

Title: Re: LIVE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: Danderman on 08/18/2011 03:57 pm
Suppose the relay triggers inadvertently and now the upper stage can no longer control the pyros during a normal mission?  I'm not saying it isn't do-able, I'm just saying it isn't as easy as made out to be.

You would hate to lose a normal mission for the sake of a "nothing to lose" manuever. 



Suppose the satellite solar panels deploy during launch? Suppose the satellite main engine fires prematurely due to a faulty relay? At some point, system operators have to simply design the a robust command system; obviously, there has to be a trade between the risks of use of a dual separation command system and being stuck to a dead upper stage.

In the case of dead upper stages, maybe 5 Proton missions in the last 15 years have resulted in off nominal performance of an upper stage in orbit. That is probably frequent enough to warrant implementation of a dual separation system. 

When an upper stage doesn't operate nominally, there is always the risk that separation won't occur, or won't be timely.

Title: Re: LIVE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: just-nick on 08/18/2011 03:58 pm
You would hate to lose a normal mission for the sake of a "nothing to lose" manuever. 
The dreaded false redundancy: when an effort to make a system more reliable inadvertently adds enough complexity to actually make it less reliable.

Title: Re: FAILURE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: Paul Howard on 08/18/2011 04:17 pm
Spaceflightnow now have an article on and say nothing about a failure.

http://www.spaceflightnow.com/news/n1108/17proton/

So did it fail or not?
Title: Re: LIVE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: alk3997 on 08/18/2011 04:19 pm
Suppose the relay triggers inadvertently and now the upper stage can no longer control the pyros during a normal mission?  I'm not saying it isn't do-able, I'm just saying it isn't as easy as made out to be.

You would hate to lose a normal mission for the sake of a "nothing to lose" manuever. 



Suppose the satellite solar panels deploy during launch? Suppose the satellite main engine fires prematurely due to a faulty relay? At some point, system operators have to simply design the a robust command system; obviously, there has to be a trade between the risks of use of a dual separation command system and being stuck to a dead upper stage.

In the case of dead upper stages, maybe 5 Proton missions in the last 15 years have resulted in off nominal performance of an upper stage in orbit. That is probably frequent enough to warrant implementation of a dual separation system. 

When an upper stage doesn't operate nominally, there is always the risk that separation won't occur, or won't be timely.



What makes you think the Briz-M doesn't already have one?

Title: Re: FAILURE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: edkyle99 on 08/18/2011 04:23 pm
Spaceflightnow now have an article on and say nothing about a failure.

http://www.spaceflightnow.com/news/n1108/17proton/

So did it fail or not?

It failed. http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/08/18/us-russia-satellite-idUSTRE77H3QA20110818 
Russian Space Agency blames the Briz M stage.

The SFN article was posted shortly after launch, during the 9-hour mission.  It likely mentions that the ascent is still underway or some-such.

 - Ed Kyle
Title: Re: FAILURE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: just-nick on 08/18/2011 04:53 pm
It failed. http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/08/18/us-russia-satellite-idUSTRE77H3QA20110818 
Russian Space Agency blames the Briz M stage.

Same article quotes someone as saying they have a 75% chance of maneuvering it to the right orbit.  Though on what basis this claim is made, I don't know.
Title: Re: LIVE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: Stan Black on 08/18/2011 05:08 pm
TsENKI will webcast the launch at http://www.tsenki.com/broadcast/ and Khrunichev at http://coopi.khrunichev.ru/main.php?id=427.

The Khrunichev page has vanished!
Title: Re: FAILURE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: kevin-rf on 08/18/2011 05:33 pm
Spaceflightnow now have an article on and say nothing about a failure.

http://www.spaceflightnow.com/news/n1108/17proton/

So did it fail or not?

It failed. http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/08/18/us-russia-satellite-idUSTRE77H3QA20110818 
Russian Space Agency blames the Briz M stage.

The SFN article was posted shortly after launch, during the 9-hour mission.  It likely mentions that the ascent is still underway or some-such.

 - Ed Kyle

Spaceflight has since updated it's article, and yes Ed the original article did say the mission was still underway. They sent something out indicating an update to their txt message feed at 12:35pm EST.
Title: Re: FAILURE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: refsmmat on 08/18/2011 06:34 pm
The pressure in the tanks may change over a long enough time.  What is the effect of the fuel pressurizing system?  Does it use helium?  Comparing this to USA 193, that object was in a low orbit with time in shadow and its hydrazine tank may have frozen solid (one more tank that didn't have a fail-safe?)  If Briz-M is in an elliptical orbit it will be in more sunlight, so reactants may vapourize.  Batteries, coolant lines, other onboard tanks notwithstanding what the Hydrazine and N2O4 does.


That is why I said "may".

That is problem with storable propellants, how do you get them out of the tanks of a dead stage. In the prior case when you mentioned Centaur, due to the propellants, good or bad, something would have already happened. Now we wait for something to leak, corrode, or fatigue (from the thermal cycles) and hope nothing mixes.

The burst disks only work if the pressure is changing inside the tanks. With storable propellants, that should not be happening.

Don't forget that the satellite which by all accounts is still attached to the Briz-m, has consumables on board that can cause long term problems.  It has not been, and it may not be possible at this point to safe. It has batteries that can potentially over charge and explode, it still has propellants on board, the system is still pressurized.
Title: Re: LIVE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: Jim on 08/18/2011 06:40 pm

That is certainly a poor system architecture, if the satellite cannot separate itself from a dead upper stage.

Heads will roll.


Could you please tell us how you would have designed the upper stage to avoid this problem?

Andy

A design that allows the payload to separate itself in the event of total system failure of the upper stage is not exactly rocket science.


It isn't SOP.  The LV controls the interface.  Also the interface has breakwires that prevents the spacecraft from doing anything while attached.
Title: Re: LIVE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: Jim on 08/18/2011 06:41 pm

You are suggesting that there are no launch systems that allow the satellite to initiate separation?


Most don't
Title: Re: LIVE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: Jim on 08/18/2011 06:43 pm

 A simple relay to transfer the pyro circuits to Payload when the stage loses power would address most that. I'd guess an added on connector for the high current signals. Not as sexy as 3 million lines of code, but more the Russian way anyhow. It obviously wouldn't use the upper stage computer if the upper stage were dead. There's no problem with simple, last ditch efforts if you don't have anything to lose.

Not that simple. Two leads from two different sources to the pyros?  Nope a relay isn't going to work.
Title: Re: LIVE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: Nomadd on 08/18/2011 08:35 pm

 A simple relay to transfer the pyro circuits to Payload when the stage loses power would address most that. I'd guess an added on connector for the high current signals. Not as sexy as 3 million lines of code, but more the Russian way anyhow. It obviously wouldn't use the upper stage computer if the upper stage were dead. There's no problem with simple, last ditch efforts if you don't have anything to lose.

Not that simple. Two leads from two different sources to the pyros?  Nope a relay isn't going to work.

 The purpose of a relay is that there would never be two lines from two sources at once. Just one or the other.
Title: Re: FAILURE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: Danderman on 08/18/2011 11:16 pm
Ironically, the Blok-DM, which was discarded for most Proton flights, does have a model in which all vehicle avionics are contained in the payload, not the upper stage.

Title: Re: FAILURE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: alk3997 on 08/18/2011 11:43 pm
Ironically, the Blok-DM, which was discarded for most Proton flights, does have a model in which all vehicle avionics are contained in the payload, not the upper stage.



Yes, you mean this reference from Energiya, "If the mass of spacecraft that can be delivered to orbit needs to be increased, the autonomous instrumentation bay, which houses the motion control system, can be removed from the upper stage, with control over the stage transferred to the spacecraft. "

Not sure if it is relevent since it's still an either-or situation.  Either the autonomous instrument bay controls or the spacecraft controls.  Not a situation where hand-off from one to the other could be accomplished.

Title: Re: FAILURE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: Nomadd on 08/19/2011 12:11 am
 Might not have helped anyway. Aren't more non-separations from failed pyros or latches than failed commands?
Title: Re: FAILURE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: input~2 on 08/19/2011 05:07 am
http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/08/18/russia-satellite-idUSLDE77H0SB20110818
Title: Re: FAILURE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: Jim on 08/19/2011 08:29 am
Might not have helped anyway. Aren't more non-separations from failed pyros or latches than failed commands?

Not for US systems.  Pryos work when fired.
Title: Re: FAILURE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: Nicolas PILLET on 08/19/2011 09:14 am
It seems that everybody missed this, but it was the 50th flight of the Briz-M upper stage !
Title: Re: FAILURE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: Olaf on 08/19/2011 09:58 am
This report http://de.rian.ru/space/20110819/260158907.html (in German) says, that they have located the position of Ekspress-AM4 attached with Briz-M.
And if the satellite is not demaged, it could be used as planned.
Title: Re: FAILURE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: Skyrocket on 08/19/2011 10:05 am
This report http://de.rian.ru/space/20110819/260158907.html (in German) says, that they have located the position of Ekspress-AM4 detached with Briz-M.
And if the satellite is not demaged, it could be used as planned.

The report also says, that Ekspress-Am4 is still attached to Briz-M - and (regardless, if Ekspress is dmaged or not) precludes any usage.

There is only a chance, if the Briz can be commanded to seperate from the payload. And we do not have any info, that the Briz is responding.
Title: Re: FAILURE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: Nicolas PILLET on 08/19/2011 10:19 am
In this RIA Novosti release, it is written that NORAD can't detect the Briz-M/Ekspress AM4 stack. It would mean that it has been destroyed in the upper atmosphere.

http://fr.rian.ru/science/20110818/190540376.html
Title: Re: FAILURE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: Olaf on 08/19/2011 10:24 am
It seems that everybody missed this, but it was the 50th flight of the Briz-M upper stage !
It was mentioned here
http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2011/08/proton-m-launches-russias-ekspress-am4-communications-satellite/
Quote
A Proton-M rocket, with the fiftieth Briz-M upper stage
Title: Re: FAILURE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: Jim on 08/19/2011 11:12 am

There is only a chance, if the Briz can be commanded to seperate from the payload. And we do not have any info, that the Briz is responding.

And current US launchers do not have the ability to receive commands
Title: Re: FAILURE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: kevin-rf on 08/19/2011 12:28 pm

There is only a chance, if the Briz can be commanded to seperate from the payload. And we do not have any info, that the Briz is responding.

And current US launchers do not have the ability to receive commands

Would the Briz-M it still be alive this many hours later?
Title: Re: FAILURE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: Galactic Penguin SST on 08/19/2011 01:02 pm
Can any Russian member take a look at the discussion thread at the Novosti-Kosmonavtiki forum here (http://www.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=11915)? The 50 page thread is full of technical jargon that the online translator can't understand. Can anybody confirm that no-one has seen the Breeze-M and the satellite for more than 24 hours, not even NORAD?
Title: Re: FAILURE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: Olaf on 08/19/2011 01:16 pm
http://en.rian.ru/russia/20110819/165934513.html
This is the English version of the above mentioned article by RIAN.
It´s newer and a bit different than the German one.
Title: Re: FAILURE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: Danderman on 08/19/2011 02:09 pm

There is only a chance, if the Briz can be commanded to seperate from the payload. And we do not have any info, that the Briz is responding.

And current US launchers do not have the ability to receive commands

Would the Briz-M it still be alive this many hours later?

No.
Title: Re: FAILURE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: Chris Bergin on 08/19/2011 04:02 pm
ILS:

PRESS RELEASE

Friday, August 19, 2011

RUSSIAN FEDERAL MISSION EXPRESS-AM4 ANOMALY INVESTIGATION UNDERWAY

On August 18, at 3:25 a.m., a Proton Breeze M vehicle carrying the Express-AM4 satellite launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. The Proton M launch vehicle performed nominally, and the ascent unit including the Breeze M upper stage and the spacecraft separated at the appropriate time. Contact with the Breeze M and spacecraft was lost after the fourth burn of the Breeze M upper stage. Roscosmos specialists were able to locate the Breeze M Upper Stage.  Efforts are now underway to establish contact with the Express-AM4 spacecraft.

A Russian State Commission of inquiry has been established and has begun the process of determining the reasons for the anomaly.  ILS will release details when data become available.  In parallel with the State Commission, ILS will form its own Failure Review Oversight Board (FROB).  The FROB will review the commission’s final report and corrective action plan, in accordance with U.S. and Russian government export control regulations.

ILS remains committed to providing reliable, timely launch services for all its customers.  To this end, ILS will work diligently with its partner Khrunichev to return Proton to flight as soon as possible.

Further updates will be provided on the investigation as they become available.

# # #

 

About ILS and Khrunichev
ILS is a world leader in providing launch services for global satellite operators offering a complete array of services and support, from contract signing through mission management and on-orbit delivery.  ILS has exclusive rights to market the Proton vehicle to commercial satellite operators worldwide and is a U.S. company headquartered in Reston, Va., near Washington, D.C.  For more information, visit www.ilslaunch.com.

Khrunichev, which holds the majority interest in ILS, is one of the cornerstones of the Russian space industry. Khrunichev manufactures the Proton system and is developing the Angara launch system. The Proton launches from facilities at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, and has a heritage of 365 missions since 1965. Khrunichev includes among its branches, a number of key manufacturers of launch vehicle and spacecraft components in Moscow and in other cities of the Russian Federation.  For more information, visit www.khrunichev.com.

Title: Re: FAILURE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: Stan Black on 08/19/2011 05:09 pm

There is only a chance, if the Briz can be commanded to separate from the payload. And we do not have any info, that the Briz is responding.

And current US launchers do not have the ability to receive commands

Would the Briz-M it still be alive this many hours later?

No.


 Initially it was mentioned they had a 24 hour life. Briz-M is usually disposed of with two thruster firings around 12 hours after launch.
Title: Re: FAILURE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: SlowPhoton on 08/19/2011 06:32 pm
Any chance that the trajectory of this rocket could have taken it over the ocean near the San Diego, California, U.S.A. area? Since Wednesday afternoon around 2 PM (which would be Thursday already in Russia) there were numerous reports of a mysterious odor which most people said smelled like burned kerosene or diesel fuel. It was detected over 50 miles by residents. I'm thinking it was rocket fuel from this rocket which burnt on reentry offshore and that is why the smell lingered into the next day as it was falling from the sky and the smell was strongest on our coastlines here. Numerous people called 911 and it has been on every news station here. Here is a link to one of the stories. Do you think it was from this rocket? Let me know.

http://www.cbs8.com/story/15287018/mysterious-odor-lingers-over-san-diego-county (http://www.cbs8.com/story/15287018/mysterious-odor-lingers-over-san-diego-county)
Title: Re: FAILURE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: Lee Jay on 08/19/2011 06:42 pm
Any chance that the trajectory of this rocket could have taken it over the ocean near the San Diego, California, U.S.A. area? Since Wednesday afternoon around 2 PM (which would be Thursday already in Russia) there were numerous reports of a mysterious odor which most people said smelled like burned kerosene or diesel fuel. It was detected over 50 miles by residents. I'm thinking it was rocket fuel from this rocket which burnt on reentry offshore and that is why the smell lingered into the next day as it was falling from the sky and the smell was strongest on our coastlines here. Numerous people called 911 and it has been on every news station here. Here is a link to one of the stories. Do you think it was from this rocket? Let me know.

http://www.cbs8.com/story/15287018/mysterious-odor-lingers-over-san-diego-county (http://www.cbs8.com/story/15287018/mysterious-odor-lingers-over-san-diego-county)


Welcome to the NSF forum!

I don't know the answer to the trajectory question, but I believe the oxidizer on board was N2O4 which NASA says has a "pungent, sweetish smell" and the fuel was Unsymmetrical dimethylhydrazine, which apparently smells like fish.  Both are highly toxic.
Title: Re: FAILURE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: astropl on 08/19/2011 06:51 pm
According to NK forum NORAD found both objects. Orbits:

37799 -- 51.18°, 689x20251 km, 362.7 min
37800 -- 51.32°, 996x20327 km, 368.8 min

TLE for sat hunters:

1 37799U 11045B   11231.54240154  .00001640  00000-0  17001-1 0    14
2 37799 051.1790 282.5433 5800070 022.2866 355.1501 03.97047014    31
1 37800U 11045C   11231.56545820 -.00000044  00000-0  10000-3 0    19
2 37800 051.3280 282.6025 5666891 024.3247 354.3963 03.90384202    45
Title: Re: FAILURE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: input~2 on 08/19/2011 07:36 pm
Quote from: Stratcom
37798      EXPRESS AM-4      2011-045A     
37799     BREEZE-M R/B     2011-045B   
37800     BREEZE-M DEB (TANK)     2011-045C
Title: Re: FAILURE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: Danderman on 08/19/2011 07:40 pm
Quote from: Stratcom
37798      EXPRESS AM-4      2011-045A     
37799     BREEZE-M R/B     2011-045B   
37800     BREEZE-M DEB (TANK)     2011-045C

According to NK forum NORAD found both objects. Orbits:

37799 -- 51.18°, 689x20251 km, 362.7 min
37800 -- 51.32°, 996x20327 km, 368.8 min

It would be news if 37798 and 37799 were truly separated into 2 objects. At any rate, it appears that the burn attempted after separation of the APT didn't last very long.

Title: Re: FAILURE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: Antares on 08/19/2011 07:46 pm
What was the orbit before the attempted burn?
Title: Re: FAILURE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: input~2 on 08/19/2011 07:47 pm
With the latest elset, I found
Epoch August 19 at 1659UTC:
EXPRESS-AM4/11045A in 1004.5 x 20314.9 km inclined 51.33°

Epoch August 19 at 1301UTC:
Briz-M /  11045B in 697.2 x 20239.3 km inclined 51.18°
Title: Re: FAILURE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: input~2 on 08/19/2011 07:55 pm
Epoch August 19 at 0632UTC
Object A/11045A (only elset at that time, now object C, Briz tank) in 151.1 x 11307.4 km inclined 49.48°

Epoch August 19 at 1454UTC
Briz tank/ 11045C in 146.0 x 11303.9 km inclined 49.47°
Title: Re: FAILURE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: edkyle99 on 08/19/2011 08:48 pm
With the latest elset, I found
Epoch August 19 at 1659UTC:
EXPRESS-AM4/11045A in 1004.5 x 20314.9 km inclined 51.33°

Epoch August 19 at 1301UTC:
Briz-M /  11045B in 697.2 x 20239.3 km inclined 51.18°

The expected orbit after Burn 4 was to have been 420 x 35,616 km x 49.1 deg.

 - Ed Kyle
Title: Re: FAILURE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: Jim on 08/19/2011 09:21 pm
Any chance that the trajectory of this rocket could have taken it over the ocean near the San Diego, California, U.S.A. area? Since Wednesday afternoon around 2 PM (which would be Thursday already in Russia) there were numerous reports of a mysterious odor which most people said smelled like burned kerosene or diesel fuel. It was detected over 50 miles by residents. I'm thinking it was rocket fuel from this rocket which burnt on reentry offshore and that is why the smell lingered into the next day as it was falling from the sky and the smell was strongest on our coastlines here. Numerous people called 911 and it has been on every news station here. Here is a link to one of the stories. Do you think it was from this rocket? Let me know.

http://www.cbs8.com/story/15287018/mysterious-odor-lingers-over-san-diego-county (http://www.cbs8.com/story/15287018/mysterious-odor-lingers-over-san-diego-county)


There isn't enough residue propellant to be that widespread no matter what the type.
Title: Re: FAILURE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: Danderman on 08/19/2011 10:21 pm
What was the orbit before the attempted burn?

996x20327 km, 368.8 min
Title: Re: FAILURE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: Galactic Penguin SST on 08/19/2011 10:44 pm
Given the current orbit of the satellite, what is the delta-V between the current orbit and the planned release orbit? Is the satellite salvageable?
Title: Re: FAILURE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: Danderman on 08/20/2011 03:21 am
With the latest elset, I found
Epoch August 19 at 1659UTC:
EXPRESS-AM4/11045A in 1004.5 x 20314.9 km inclined 51.33°

Epoch August 19 at 1301UTC:
Briz-M /  11045B in 697.2 x 20239.3 km inclined 51.18°

That's quite a bit of separation between the payload and the upper stage; is it possible that the Briz-M automatically performed separation and then a CAM, even though the engine misfired?

And why isn't the satellite responding to ground control if it separated from the Briz-M?

This is very strange.
Title: Re: FAILURE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: Antares on 08/20/2011 04:29 am
I get a 270 m/s retro burn to get the before and after orbit.  The satellite wouldn't last long if it couldn't find the sun after separation.

Man I hope that stage vented.  That could be a real mess.
Title: Re: FAILURE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: Danderman on 08/20/2011 06:11 am
According to NK forum NORAD found both objects. Orbits:

37799 -- 51.18°, 689x20251 km, 362.7 min
37800 -- 51.32°, 996x20327 km, 368.8 min


37798      EXPRESS AM-4      2011-045A     
37799     BREEZE-M R/B     2011-045B   
37800     BREEZE-M DEB (TANK)     2011-045C



How can the Briz-M orbit 37799 have a significantly lower perigee than the APT, which was jettisoned before the 4th burn of the Briz? The implication is that all of the Briz propulsive maneuver was near apogee, and resulted in lowering the perigee.

OR .... the numbers are assigned to the wrong objects, and 37800 is really the Briz-M.

 
Title: Re: FAILURE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: Danderman on 08/20/2011 06:14 am
With the latest elset, I found
Epoch August 19 at 1659UTC:
EXPRESS-AM4/11045A in 1004.5 x 20314.9 km inclined 51.33°

Epoch August 19 at 1301UTC:
Briz-M /  11045B in 697.2 x 20239.3 km inclined 51.18°

With the 3rd object,  in this orbit:

37800 -- 51.32°, 996x20327 km

It looks like the Express 37798 and the APT 37800 are in similar orbits, whereas the Briz-M 37799 has a much lower perigee, which probably means that the Briz-M is really 37800, since 37800 and 37798 are closer.



Title: Re: FAILURE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: Stan Black on 08/20/2011 07:19 am
With the latest elset, I found
Epoch August 19 at 1659UTC:
EXPRESS-AM4/11045A in 1004.5 x 20314.9 km inclined 51.33°

Epoch August 19 at 1301UTC:
Briz-M /  11045B in 697.2 x 20239.3 km inclined 51.18°

The expected orbit after Burn 4 was to have been 420 x 35,616 km x 49.1 deg.

 - Ed Kyle

Ed,

 Do you know the other target orbits?

Stan
Title: Re: FAILURE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: input~2 on 08/20/2011 07:59 am
According to NK forum NORAD found both objects. Orbits:

37799 -- 51.18°, 689x20251 km, 362.7 min
37800 -- 51.32°, 996x20327 km, 368.8 min


37798      EXPRESS AM-4      2011-045A     
37799     BREEZE-M R/B     2011-045B   
37800     BREEZE-M DEB (TANK)     2011-045C



How can the Briz-M orbit 37799 have a significantly lower perigee than the APT, which was jettisoned before the 4th burn of the Briz? The implication is that all of the Briz propulsive maneuver was near apogee, and resulted in lowering the perigee.

OR .... the numbers are assigned to the wrong objects, and 37800 is really the Briz-M.
The elset for epoch Aug 19 at 1334UTC ("37800 -- 51.32°, 996x20327 km, 368.8 min") was wrongly allocated to the tank, it should have been allocated to EXPRESS AM4/37798/11045A (not to Briz-M)
The next elset at epoch 1454UTC for 37800 was correctly allocated to the tank (see my post reply#132 above)

But, this is what you seem to imply in your reply#135 ???
BTW, with this understanding your reply#140 would have to be revised ;)
 
Title: Re: FAILURE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: Stan Black on 08/20/2011 08:46 am
http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=5966.msg795665#msg795665
Title: Re: FAILURE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: input~2 on 08/20/2011 10:28 am
The expected orbit after Burn 4 was to have been 420 x 35,616 km x 49.1 deg.
Express-AM4 launch mass was 5700 kg, a comparable satellite (W7, with a launch mass of 5600 kg) had these nominal parameters:
   "Transfer orbit" (after 4th Briz burn): 420 x 35616 km x 49.1°* (same as Express-AM4)
   "Geotransfer orbit" (after 5th Briz burn): 4920 x 35596 km x 20.9°

*This comes from coopi.khrunichev.ru web site (it's different from Stan's table..)
Title: Re: FAILURE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: Stan Black on 08/20/2011 11:26 am
The expected orbit after Burn 4 was to have been 420 x 35,616 km x 49.1 deg.
Express-AM4 launch mass was 5700 kg, a comparable satellite (W7, with a launch mass of 5600 kg) had these nominal parameters:
   "Transfer orbit" (after 4th Briz burn): 420 x 35616 km x 49.1°* (same as Express-AM4)
   "Geotransfer orbit" (after 5th Briz burn): 4920 x 35596 km x 20.9°

*This comes from coopi.khrunichev.ru web site (it's different from Stan's table..)

Номинал419.65x35565.57 
Оценка419.89x35610.97Бриз-М
Оценка422.27x35592.20ОКБ МЭИ (ФП "Ритм")
Оценка420.91x35585.93ГБЦ
http://coopi.khrunichev.ru/download/2009/w7/email/rus/w7_e11.htm
Title: Re: FAILURE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: input~2 on 08/20/2011 12:09 pm

Номинал419.65x35565.57
http://coopi.khrunichev.ru/download/2009/w7/email/rus/w7_e11.htm (http://coopi.khrunichev.ru/download/2009/w7/email/rus/w7_e11.htm)
I took my values from the picture below; so there was an internal discrepancy between both sources from Khrunichev :-[ but I guess your reference  was published later and should be more accurate :) ;
Title: Re: FAILURE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: Stan Black on 08/20/2011 12:19 pm

Номинал419.65x35565.57
http://coopi.khrunichev.ru/download/2009/w7/email/rus/w7_e11.htm (http://coopi.khrunichev.ru/download/2009/w7/email/rus/w7_e11.htm)
I took my values from the picture below; so there was an internal discrepancy between both sources from Khrunichev :-[ but I guess your reference  was published later and should be more accurate :) ;

 I tried to be consistent with the information; went for the ‘NewsPosting’ where available. There are a few other discrepancies, usually with the transfer orbit.
 It would nice if these were available for the failed missions… Did anyone receive them for AMC14, ARABSAT4A, JCSAT11 before they were removed?
Title: Re: FAILURE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: input~2 on 08/20/2011 12:51 pm
It would nice if these were available for the failed missions… Did anyone receive them for AMC14, ARABSAT4A, JCSAT11 before they were removed?
I have posted (http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=5966.msg795706#msg795706) some data on AMC-14 in the "Soviet/Russian space programs Q&A" thread
Title: Re: FAILURE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: input~2 on 08/20/2011 02:05 pm
Looking at the low perigee for the APT (tank) orbit, it seems that problems started already during the third Briz burn
Title: Re: FAILURE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: edkyle99 on 08/20/2011 02:53 pm
With the latest elset, I found
Epoch August 19 at 1659UTC:
EXPRESS-AM4/11045A in 1004.5 x 20314.9 km inclined 51.33°

Epoch August 19 at 1301UTC:
Briz-M /  11045B in 697.2 x 20239.3 km inclined 51.18°

With the 3rd object,  in this orbit:

37800 -- 51.32°, 996x20327 km

It looks like the Express 37798 and the APT 37800 are in similar orbits, whereas the Briz-M 37799 has a much lower perigee, which probably means that the Briz-M is really 37800, since 37800 and 37798 are closer.

I'm confused.  Current tracking data as I understand it shows the following: 

37798  Express AM4  997 x 20326 km x 51.39 deg (roughly)
37799  Briz M Stage  690 x 20250 km x 51.25 deg (roughly)
37800  Briz M Tank   140 x 11305 km x 49.55 deg (roughly)

I agree with the assessment of the tank orbit's low perigee.  Something may have been wrong even before the fourth burn.  The fourth burn occurred, but produced goofy results.  Guidance?

 - Ed Kyle
Title: Re: FAILURE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: Danderman on 08/20/2011 03:18 pm
I have seen 2 different element sets for the APT here, one with a perigee of some 150 km, another with a perigee over 900 km. Its hard to speculate on whether the burn that was actually completed before the APT was jettisoned was somehow improperly executed, if there are problems with the element sets, or identification of objects.

Title: Re: FAILURE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: edkyle99 on 08/20/2011 04:29 pm
I have seen 2 different element sets for the APT here, one with a perigee of some 150 km, another with a perigee over 900 km. Its hard to speculate on whether the burn that was actually completed before the APT was jettisoned was somehow improperly executed, if there are problems with the element sets, or identification of objects.

The orbits I presented are straight from the horse's mouth, so to speak, and are today's info.

 - Ed Kyle
Title: Re: FAILURE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: JimO on 08/20/2011 04:41 pm
To recapitulate, how much hydrazine do we believe remains on the satellite?

In terms of final temperature, I believe we can expect it to freeze or at least get slushy. Black body temp for an object 1 AU from the sun is somewhere around -5C, and an inert reflective-skinned vehicle could get even colder.
Title: Re: FAILURE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: JimO on 08/20/2011 04:44 pm
The fourth burn occurred, but produced goofy results.  Guidance?

Ed, it's premature to speculate, but I can't help wondering if this isn't another perfectly healthy vehicle flown into the ground [soon, will be] by human error in the loaded burn parameters?

Other wild speculations...

What commonality do we have with the 3Glonass splash? Both errors may intersect at the pad 31 prop loading complex.

Title: Re: FAILURE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: gwiz on 08/20/2011 05:01 pm
The orbits I presented are straight from the horse's mouth, so to speak, and are today's info.
I get the impression that the Stratcom orbits are sometimes search orbits for objects they are trying to locate, rather than actual data.
Title: Re: FAILURE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: Danderman on 08/20/2011 05:19 pm
I have seen 2 different element sets for the APT here, one with a perigee of some 150 km, another with a perigee over 900 km. Its hard to speculate on whether the burn that was actually completed before the APT was jettisoned was somehow improperly executed, if there are problems with the element sets, or identification of objects.

The orbits I presented are straight from the horse's mouth, so to speak, and are today's info.

 - Ed Kyle

If the APT really has a perigee under 200 km, something was very wrong with the Briz-M performance even before the 4th burn.

And it may be the case that the 4th burn was executed properly, except that it started from a very low perigee (ie that the prior burn was incorrect),


HOWEVER, we should keep in mind that assignment of names to the NORAD objects is not done by NORAD. We are just assuming that the first object is the satellite, the 2nd object is the Briz-M, and the third is the APT. These might all be pieces of debris, and the main objects may not even be listed (if, hypothetically, the stack went into the ocean after a misfire).
Title: Re: FAILURE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: Phillip Clark on 08/20/2011 06:09 pm
The orbits I presented are straight from the horse's mouth, so to speak, and are today's info.
I get the impression that the Stratcom orbits are sometimes search orbits for objects they are trying to locate, rather than actual data.

That is quite an accurate assessment.   Initially the tank's orbital data were issued as object A, presumably when USSSN had not worked out what orbit the satellite and Briz-M stage had actually ended up with.

Such confusion is perfectly normal for USSSN, actually!   For example on the last Ariane launch object C was actually a satellite and eventually the data for objects B and C were interchanged.
Title: Re: FAILURE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: Danderman on 08/20/2011 06:30 pm
The fourth burn occurred, but produced goofy results.  Guidance?

Ed, it's premature to speculate, but I can't help wondering if this isn't another perfectly healthy vehicle flown into the ground [soon, will be] by human error in the loaded burn parameters?

Other wild speculations...

What commonality do we have with the 3Glonass splash? Both errors may intersect at the pad 31 prop loading complex.



According to the Proton user guide, Briz-M prop loading happens in Building 92A-50.

Title: Re: FAILURE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: patchfree on 08/20/2011 09:54 pm
The fourth burn occurred, but produced goofy results.  Guidance?

Ed, it's premature to speculate, but I can't help wondering if this isn't another perfectly healthy vehicle flown into the ground [soon, will be] by human error in the loaded burn parameters?

Other wild speculations...

What commonality do we have with the 3Glonass splash? Both errors may intersect at the pad 31 prop loading complex.



According to the Proton user guide, Briz-M prop loading happens in Building 92A-50.



Are your sure? It seems to me that Briz-M fueling happens at the "service station" out of the building 92A-50, so there is no commonality with the 3 glonass fail.

Block DM03 was fueled elsewhere.
Title: Re: FAILURE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: JimO on 08/20/2011 10:43 pm
Good info on fueling locations, thanks.

Bldg 92-50 was a real mystery when we visited in mid-1990s, it was new but empty, with wide staircases leading from the ground floor DOWNwards. Interesting wall murals [local artist quality]  of military-looking spacecraft, probably just impressionistic rather than descriptive.



Title: Re: FAILURE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: Stan Black on 08/21/2011 05:57 am
The fourth burn occurred, but produced goofy results.  Guidance?

Ed, it's premature to speculate, but I can't help wondering if this isn't another perfectly healthy vehicle flown into the ground [soon, will be] by human error in the loaded burn parameters?

Other wild speculations...

What commonality do we have with the 3Glonass splash? Both errors may intersect at the pad 31 prop loading complex.



According to the Proton user guide, Briz-M prop loading happens in Building 92A-50.



Are your sure? It seems to me that Briz-M fueling happens at the "service station" out of the building 92A-50, so there is no commonality with the 3 glonass fail.

Block DM03 was fueled elsewhere.

Briz-M has both high and low pressure tanks.

Quote from: Proton Launch System Mission Planner’s Guide, Revision 7, July
2009
7.5.1  LV Processing
The Proton LV stages, PLA, and fairings are built in Moscow by KhSC and transported by rail to the Baikonur Cosmodrome. After transportation of the Proton’s stages and fairing by rail, LV assembly takes place in an
integration and test facility. Prior to SC arrival, the fairing is moved to Building 92A-50 for SC integration, where it is stored and cleaned in preparation for encapsulation. The Breeze M US is manufactured by KhSC in Moscow and transported by air to Baikonur. After arrival, the Breeze M is delivered to Building 92A-50 for pre-launch checkout and testing. The Breeze M is then delivered to Building 44 in Area 31, the propellant fueling hall, where MMH and N2O4 are loaded in the high pressure tanks of the low-thrust settling/attitude control system thrusters. The Breeze M helium pressurant tanks are also loaded in Building 44. Following these operations the Breeze M is then moved to Building 92A-50 for integration with the SC. Payload adapters are similarly delivered to Building 92A-50, where they are cleaned and prepared for assembly of the AU.

6.1.3 Breeze M Fueling Station (Area 92)
The ILV will be transported to the Breeze M fueling facility for filling the Breeze M with low pressure propellant components, and from there to the launch complex (Area 81 or 200).

http://www.roscosmos.ru/main.php?id=2&nid=17574
http://www.roscosmos.ru/main.php?id=2&nid=17590
Title: Re: FAILURE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: JimO on 08/21/2011 12:55 pm
"The Breeze M is then delivered to Building 44 in Area 31, the propellant fueling hall, where MMH and N2O4 are loaded in the high pressure tanks of the low-thrust settling/attitude control system thrusters."

Aha! Thanks!

Same facility which mis-loaded the prop on the DM3 that splashed the Glonass triplet.
Title: Re: FAILURE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: anik on 08/21/2011 01:15 pm
Same facility which mis-loaded the prop on the DM3 that splashed the Glonass triplet

As for DM-03 upper stage, 1.5 tonnes over-fuelling of liquid oxygen was made on the launch pad.
Title: Re: FAILURE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: input~2 on 08/21/2011 07:20 pm
Apparently, the wanted injection orbit was 5210 x 35786 km x 20.5°
(source (http://www.spacenews.com/satellite_telecom/110819-russia-loses-contact-sat.html))                      
Title: Re: FAILURE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: Prober on 08/21/2011 08:06 pm
Good info on fueling locations, thanks.

Bldg 92-50 was a real mystery when we visited in mid-1990s, it was new but empty, with wide staircases leading from the ground floor DOWNwards. Interesting wall murals [local artist quality]  of military-looking spacecraft, probably just impressionistic rather than descriptive.





did you post any pics?   would enjoy seeing them.
Title: Re: FAILURE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: JimO on 08/22/2011 11:03 am
did you post any pics?   would enjoy seeing them.

Wasn't allowed a camera during that activity, alas.

Title: Re: FAILURE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: JimO on 08/22/2011 11:40 am
Same facility which mis-loaded the prop on the DM3 that splashed the Glonass triplet

As for DM-03 upper stage, 1.5 tonnes over-fuelling of liquid oxygen was made on the launch pad.

I seem to have been trapped in an out-of-date concept of the Blok DM propellants. Anik, thanks for banging on my head until the new data could seep in. My bad.

Title: Re: FAILURE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: Danderman on 08/22/2011 03:19 pm
This section of the Proton user manual has not been posted here:

6.3 BREEZE M FUELING FACILITY
Following final assembly, the ILV is transported from Building 92A-50 to the Breeze M fueling facility. The fueling facility is located in Area 92, directly adjoining Building 92A-50, with some 70 m distance between the building and the facility’s external fencing. The fueling facility has been upgraded and reequipped to satisfy the needs of the SC manufacturers and contractors, and is capable of supporting any operation required for
SC health checkout and SC on-board storage battery recharging during the ILV stay at the facility. The fueling facility is used for filling Breeze M tanks with propellant components at low-pressure (high pressure components are filled earlier at Area 31).
Title: Re: FAILURE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: Nicolas PILLET on 08/22/2011 03:54 pm
(high pressure components are filled earlier at Area 31).

Yes, it is fueling station 11Г12, located less than 100 meters in front of MIK-40.
Title: Re: FAILURE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: Stan Black on 08/22/2011 08:41 pm
With the latest elset, I found
Epoch August 19 at 1659UTC:
EXPRESS-AM4/11045A in 1004.5 x 20314.9 km inclined 51.33°

Epoch August 19 at 1301UTC:
Briz-M /  11045B in 697.2 x 20239.3 km inclined 51.18°

The expected orbit after Burn 4 was to have been 420 x 35,616 km x 49.1 deg.

 - Ed Kyle

Ed,

 Do you know the other target orbits?

Stan

Quote from: http://www.planet4589.org/space/jsr/latest.html
173 x 173 km, 270 x 4998 km
Title: Re: FAILURE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: JimO on 08/22/2011 09:14 pm



Interfax-Ukraine reports on August 22 // 1416 UT

"The Ukrainian system for control and analysis of conditions in space (SKAKO) has tracked Russian Ekspress-AM4 telecommunications satellite."

"According to [the Agency representative], the launch elements were tracked by SKAKO early on 21 August with the following parameters: spacecraft Ekspress-AM4: 20,312 km apogee altitude, 994 km perigee altitude, 51,3 degree angle; fuel compartment of the Briz-M upper stage: 11,294 km apogee altitude, 146 km perigee altitude, 49,5 degree angle."

Further, "Movement parameters of these space objects are confirmed by astronomic measurements of the optic devices of the State Space Agency of Ukraine. In order to determine the condition of the space objects in orbit, photometric measurements are being made," he (the Agency representative) said.
Title: Re: FAILURE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: Olaf on 08/23/2011 06:17 am
Press release by Roscosmos
http://www.federalspace.ru/main.php?id=2&nid=17756
Google translation
Quote
August 18 from Baikonur cosmodrome launch vehicle (LV), "Proton-M" with the upper block (RB) "Breeze-M" and the spacecraft (SC) "Express-AM4."
   
    Home and flight "Proton-M" were normally, in accordance with the scheduled program.
 
    During the flight, the orbital block in the upper stage and spacecraft crashed into the control system "Breeze-M", as a result of the «Express-AM4" was put on an unplanned orbit.
   
    Means of space control systems (SKKP) Russian Space Forces Defense Command and Aerospace Defense of North America (NORAD) were able to establish the parameters of the orbit of the spacecraft (inclination - 51.23 deg., Apogee - 20,294 km, perigee - 995 km, orbital period - 368.39 min.).
   
    Representatives of the Federal Space Agency, Ministry of Communications of Russia (Federal State Unitary Enterprise "Space Communication") and the company EADS Astrium have been made joint efforts to establish contact with the spacecraft in order to enable its onboard systems.
   
    Now experts are continuing to establish communications with the spacecraft.
 
Formed a joint working group to identify opportunities for the transfer of a spacecraft into orbit and then use for their intended purpose, subject to inclusion of on-board systems.
   
    Interministerial Commission for the analysis of the causes of abnormal start-up carrier rocket "Proton-M" with the upper stage "Briz-M" and the spacecraft "Express-AM4 continues. We consider several possible reasons for this situation, most of which - the failure of the control system booster.
   
 
 
   Work in preparation for launches of carrier rockets "Proton-M" and boosters "Breeze-M" temporarily suspended until the establishment and elimination of causes abnormal spacecraft into orbit, "Express-AM4."
 
Title: Re: FAILURE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: Lewis007 on 08/23/2011 07:47 am
Better late than never: the Roscosmos video clip of the launch (with launch replays) is now available

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E3e21jyM_Sc&feature=player_embedded
Title: Re: FAILURE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: input~2 on 08/23/2011 08:59 am
Press release by Roscosmos
http://www.federalspace.ru/main.php?id=2&nid=17756 (http://www.federalspace.ru/main.php?id=2&nid=17756)
Google translation
Quote
    ...Now experts are continuing to establish communications with the spacecraft. ...
 
In Russian "[font=&quot]В настоящее время специалисты продолжают работу по налаживанию связи с космическим аппаратом[/font]."
AFAIU, a more precise translation would be:
"At present experts continue working to establish communications with the satellite"
Title: Re: FAILURE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: Sur2900 on 08/23/2011 03:47 pm
English version of statement from ISLaunch site

http://www.ilslaunch.com/newsroom/news-releases/concerning-express-am4
Title: Re: FAILURE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: Artyom on 08/28/2011 03:57 pm
Электронику для разгонного блока "Бриз-М" делал другой поставщик
http://ria.ru/science/20110824/422696401.html
Title: Re: FAILURE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: anik on 08/28/2011 04:28 pm
Электронику для разгонного блока "Бриз-М" делал другой поставщик
http://ria.ru/science/20110824/422696401.html

ЛОМО заявляет, что не поставляло электронику для блока "Бриз-М"
http://ria.ru/science/20110824/422948687.html

As for Briz-M failure's reason, it was due to programmer's mistake.
Title: Re: FAILURE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: Phillip Clark on 08/28/2011 05:24 pm
Электронику для разгонного блока "Бриз-М" делал другой поставщик
http://ria.ru/science/20110824/422696401.html

ЛОМО заявляет, что не поставляло электронику для блока "Бриз-М"
http://ria.ru/science/20110824/422948687.html

As for Briz-M failure's reason, it was due to programmer's mistake.

Will the programmer be sitting underneath the next Proton-M to be launched?
Title: Re: FAILURE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: kevin-rf on 08/30/2011 01:07 am
Ahhh.... shades of USA-143 (April 30, 1999)
Title: Re: FAILURE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: kevin-rf on 08/30/2011 01:23 pm
One thing I have not seen elsewhere:

http://www.spacenews.com/satellite_telecom/110823-russian-sat-communications-defect.html
Quote
One industry official said Express-AM4 had not deployed its solar panels and was relying only on battery power. This could not be independently confirmed. It was not immediately clear how long the satellite could remain functional in orbit using only its lithium-ion batteries.

It is interesting to note that during the Telstar 14R investigation USAF assets where used to image the damaged satellite. I wonder if something similar happened in this case...
http://www.spacenews.com/satellite_telecom/110819-cable-clip-telstar-failure.html
Title: Re: FAILURE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: input~2 on 08/30/2011 01:33 pm
Conclusions of the Commission:
http://www.federalspace.ru/main.php?id=2&nid=17791

Quote
в ходе формирования циклограммы работы разгонного блока (РБ)  «Бриз-М» был необоснованно «заужен» временной интервал подворота  гиростабилизированной платформы. Это привело к не правильной ориентации РБ «Бриз-М» и как следствие к выведению КА на нерасчетную орбиту.
which could mean:
"during the formation of the Breeze-M actions timeline, the time slots for the gyrostabilized platform have been unreasonably shortened. This led to an incorrect orientation of the Breeze-M and as a consequence to the injection of the spacecraft in an unplanned orbit."

So this text would tend to confirm the "programmer's mistake".

Another interesting information in the same release:
Quote
По результатам работы комиссии снят запрет с подготовки РН «Протон-М» с  РБ «Бриз-М» и подготовлены необходимые рекомендации, которые будут  реализованы до очередных пусков.
"As a result, the ban on the preparation of Proton-M/Breeze-M is lifted and the necessary recommendations  to be implemented before the next launch are being prepared."

 
Title: Re: FAILURE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: MarekCyzio on 08/30/2011 01:37 pm
Will the programmer be sitting underneath the next Proton-M to be launched?

Actually it should be QA that sits under the next Proton-M. Programmers have right to make mistakes. QA is supposed to catch them all.
Title: Re: FAILURE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: input~2 on 08/30/2011 02:07 pm
Release from ILS (obviously a translation from Roskosmos text, see above)
http://www.ilslaunch.com/newsroom/news-releases/express-am4-launch-failure-inter-agency-commission-concludes-investigations

Quote
the Commission has concluded that in the process of formalizing the  Breeze M operating timeline, the time interval to manipulate the gyro  platform into position was made unduly short. This resulted in an  off-nominal orientation of the Breeze M and, as the consequence, in  injecting the SC into an off-design orbit.

Quote
the ban on Proton M / Breeze M ground processing has been lifted, and  appropriate recommendations have been prepared, to be implemented prior  to the upcoming launches.
Title: Re: FAILURE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: input~2 on 08/31/2011 03:07 pm
A translation of the same Roskosmos text by Xinhua
Quote
the time span reserved for the gyrostabilized platform's  turn was miscalculated and narrowed, which caused the Briz-M upper  stage's disorientation and the satellite's journey to a wrong orbit
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/sci/2011-08/30/c_131084969.htm
Title: Re: FAILURE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: edkyle99 on 08/31/2011 05:40 pm
Will the programmer be sitting underneath the next Proton-M to be launched?

Actually it should be QA that sits under the next Proton-M. Programmers have right to make mistakes. QA is supposed to catch them all.

I am not yet convinced that this was a "programmers error", if "programmer" means "coder".  The problem, which appears to be insufficient time allotted for a guidance platform alignment (or realignment) step, could have been due to a bad specification OR improper coding (or, as we saw with the bad Titan Centaur a few years back, due to an improper program version upload (bad configuration control), etc..) 

 - Ed Kyle
Title: Re: FAILURE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: Danderman on 08/31/2011 05:43 pm
Will the programmer be sitting underneath the next Proton-M to be launched?

Actually it should be QA that sits under the next Proton-M. Programmers have right to make mistakes. QA is supposed to catch them all.

I am not yet convinced that this was a "programmers error", if "programmer" means "coder".  The problem, which appears to be insufficient time allotted for a guidance platform alignment (or realignment) step, could have been due to a bad specification OR improper coding. 

 - Ed Kyle

I wouldn't be surprised if this failure were caused by a cascade event, where multiple small errors resulted in disaster; for example, if a programmer were given faulty information on the time required for the guidance system to align, and then the programmer compounded the error by a second mistake, that sort of event(s) would explain how Briz-M could have flown for over 10 years without this failure occurring before now.
Title: Re: FAILURE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: Moe Grills on 08/31/2011 07:18 pm
Will the programmer be sitting underneath the next Proton-M to be launched?

Actually it should be QA that sits under the next Proton-M. Programmers have right to make mistakes. QA is supposed to catch them all.

I am not yet convinced that this was a "programmers error", if "programmer" means "coder".  The problem, which appears to be insufficient time allotted for a guidance platform alignment (or realignment) step, could have been due to a bad specification OR improper coding. 

 - Ed Kyle

I wouldn't be surprised if this failure were caused by a cascade event, where multiple small errors resulted in disaster; for example, if a programmer were given faulty information on the time required for the guidance system to align, and then the programmer compounded the error by a second mistake, that sort of event(s) would explain how Briz-M could have flown for over 10 years without this failure occurring before now.

I know of two instances where tiny software numerical errors caused
the loss of Mariner 1 in 1962; and an misplaced (-), instead of an (+),
doomed a commercial satellite launch in the 1980's
Title: Re: FAILURE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: Targeteer on 08/31/2011 07:32 pm
I believe a Titan IV Centaur mission failed with a Milstar payload because a single 1 should have been a 0 in the guidance program or visa versa. 

An Atlas/Fleetsatcom mission also failed because one memory bit was flipped after triggered lightning struck the rocket which was launched into a rain shower.
Title: Re: FAILURE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: input~2 on 09/01/2011 08:56 am
If the failure is due to an allocated time span not long enough for the Briz-M platform to be reoriented to the wanted attitude before firing, it means the error was not detected during flight software simulation tests and that's surprising :o !
Title: Re: FAILURE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: kevin-rf on 09/01/2011 01:59 pm
It also means, the stage does not check it's orientation before firing.
Title: Re: FAILURE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: zaitcev on 09/01/2011 11:50 pm
The problem, which appears to be insufficient time allotted for a guidance platform alignment (or realignment) step . . .
Perhaps unsurprisingly, the information from an insider at Mars Ltd., contradicts the official reason. He conveyed that the alotted time was correct, but as it happened, the Briz was put into an orientation at which "the frames of gyroscope folded up", after which its indications became invalid. As far as I understand how a gyroscope works, this is ONLY possible if, at the moment the frames aligned, Briz has already had a rotation and its axis was exactly perpendicular to the plane in which the frames aligned themselves. Sounds much too coincidential to me. Also, surely they do not have just one gyro.
Title: Re: FAILURE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: Nicolas PILLET on 09/02/2011 08:59 am
I know of two instances where tiny software numerical errors caused the loss of Mariner 1 in 1962; and an misplaced (-), instead of an (+), doomed a commercial satellite launch in the 1980's

The launch of a Soviet martian probe (Cosmos 419) was a failure because the timer for engine ignition had been set at "1.5 year" instead of "1.5 hour"...
Title: Re: FAILURE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: Jim on 09/02/2011 11:18 am
The problem, which appears to be insufficient time allotted for a guidance platform alignment (or realignment) step . . .
Perhaps unsurprisingly, the information from an insider at Mars Ltd., contradicts the official reason. He conveyed that the alotted time was correct, but as it happened, the Briz was put into an orientation at which "the frames of gyroscope folded up", after which its indications became invalid. As far as I understand how a gyroscope works, this is ONLY possible if, at the moment the frames aligned, Briz has already had a rotation and its axis was exactly perpendicular to the plane in which the frames aligned themselves. Sounds much too coincidential to me. Also, surely they do not have just one gyro.

Sounds like gimbal lock
Title: Re: FAILURE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: Danderman on 09/02/2011 02:37 pm
I know of two instances where tiny software numerical errors caused the loss of Mariner 1 in 1962; and an misplaced (-), instead of an (+), doomed a commercial satellite launch in the 1980's

The launch of a Soviet martian probe (Cosmos 419) was a failure because the timer for engine ignition had been set at "1.5 year" instead of "1.5 hour"...

Who makes engine ignition timers with intervals of years?   :o
Title: Re: FAILURE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: zaitcev on 09/02/2011 04:51 pm
Attached is the picture of the gyroscope in question, from the website of the manufacturer FGUP NII KP in Saint Petersburg. Hopefuly this is fair use, even if the advertisement may be of negative value. No idea how big it is.
Title: Re: FAILURE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: Prober on 09/02/2011 05:06 pm
Is this from a different manufacturer then used before?
 
 
Title: Re: FAILURE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: anik on 09/02/2011 05:21 pm
Is this from a different manufacturer then used before?

No, the inertially stabilized platform for Briz-M upper stage is producing only by NII KP enterprize.
Title: Re: FAILURE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: kevin-rf on 09/02/2011 06:03 pm
Sounds like gimbal lock

Shudder ...

1. Without additional Gyro's to reference against, how would one detect that? You could detect if you are at risk of it by looking at the axis angles, but... how do you know, and correct?
2. Since Briz M has flown successfully in the past without this issue, does this mean it went through an orientation that the stage normally does not? Before the burn, did the stage tumble?
3. Is this a weakness in the Briz-M that needs to be correct, least it crop up at some point in the future?
Title: Re: FAILURE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: Prober on 09/02/2011 09:24 pm
Is this from a different manufacturer then used before?

No, the inertially stabilized platform for Briz-M upper stage is producing only by NII KP enterprize.

I do not wish to offend, just to understand Russian Rocket Industry.
 
From 1964, the plant launched production of space sector  devices. Next years, the enterprise took part in the development and production  of devices and equipment for Bion, Foton, Interkosmos, Kosmos, Soyuz-TM,  Progress, Energiya-Buran, Proton, Gorizont, Ekran, Okean-0, Sich, Alfa ISS, and  other programmes. At the same time, the association manufactures production  equipment and consumer goods. In the last years, Kyivprylad Industrial  Association works upon high technology equipment for power industry.   http://www.nkau.gov.ua/nsau/catalogNEW.nsf/ByNamesE/645B105AD85A1065C3256BF8004BF980?OpenDocument&Lang=E (http://www.nkau.gov.ua/nsau/catalogNEW.nsf/ByNamesE/645B105AD85A1065C3256BF8004BF980?OpenDocument&Lang=E)
[/td] [td] [/td][/tr] [tr] [td](http://www.nkau.gov.ua/nkau/nkau.nsf/table_corner_4.gif)[/td] [td] [/td][/tr] [/table]
 
From 1964, the plant launched production of space sector  devices. Next years, the enterprise took part in the development and production  of devices and equipment for Bion, Foton, Interkosmos, Kosmos, Soyuz-TM,  Progress, Energiya-Buran, Proton, Gorizont, Ekran, Okean-0, Sich, Alfa ISS, and  other programmes. At the same time, the association manufactures production  equipment and consumer goods. In the last years, Kyivprylad Industrial  Association works upon high technology equipment for power industry.   ==========
I saw very advanced Gyros from Ukraine, that was why i asked the question.
Title: Re: FAILURE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: Danderman on 09/02/2011 10:20 pm
Is this from a different manufacturer then used before?

No, the inertially stabilized platform for Briz-M upper stage is producing only by NII KP enterprize.

I do not wish to offend, just to understand Russian Rocket Industry.[

From 1964, the plant launched production of space sector  devices. Next years, the enterprise took part in the development and production  of devices and equipment for Bion, Foton, Interkosmos, Kosmos, Soyuz-TM,  Progress, Energiya-Buran, Proton, Gorizont, Ekran, Okean-0, Sich, Alfa ISS, and  other programmes. At the same time, the association manufactures production  equipment and consumer goods. In the last years, Kyivprylad Industrial  Association works upon high technology equipment for power industry. 


Ooooohhhhh, its made in the Ukraine. Look for some backwash from that.

Not going to be used on Russian Proton. 
Title: Re: FAILURE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: zaitcev on 09/03/2011 12:23 am
Ooooohhhhh, its made in the Ukraine. Look for some backwash from that.
The gyroscope flown was made by NII KP, an FGUP located in St. Petersbourg, as I and Anik mentioned. So, it is impossible to pin the failure on Ukrainians. I think Mr. Prober is trying to point out an alternative with a different technology base.

In any case, it is not established that frames have in fact folded and this is why the gyroscope exceeded the alotted time to orient. The State Commission apparently implied that giving it more time would let it orient itself, and thus the fault was with Mars Ltd. This is the official conclusion, as far as I know.
Title: Re: FAILURE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: Stan Black on 09/03/2011 05:57 am
Ooooohhhhh, its made in the Ukraine. Look for some backwash from that.
The gyroscope flown was made by NII KP, an FGUP located in St. Petersbourg, as I and Anik mentioned. So, it is impossible to pin the failure on Ukrainians. I think Mr. Prober is trying to point out an alternative with a different technology base.

In any case, it is not established that frames have in fact folded and this is why the gyroscope exceeded the alotted time to orient. The State Commission apparently implied that giving it more time would let it orient itself, and thus the fault was with Mars Ltd. This is the official conclusion, as far as I know.

Officially because of delays with payload, but Mr. Zak notes that the GEO-IK-2 failure could be a further reason.

GEO-IK-2 failure will not impact Proton Breeze M launches based upon the reported cause of the failure.  The Breeze M uses a new control system and gyro that are different (hardware and vendor) than that used on Breeze KM.

 So is there any differences in gyroscopes between Briz-KM, Briz-M 885-series and Briz-M 995-series?
Title: Re: FAILURE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: Danderman on 09/03/2011 02:03 pm

 So is there any differences in gyroscopes between Briz-KM, Briz-M 885-series and Briz-M 995-series?

Do any other upper stages share the same gyroscope with Briz?   ???
Title: Re: FAILURE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: Galactic Penguin SST on 09/09/2011 06:09 pm
Someone on the NK forums (http://www.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?p=792945#792945) saw the preliminary investigation report from ILS and reported the following findings:

Quote
Quote:
between the third and fourth main engine burns the "Briz-M" upper stage has lost inertial reference system.


Quote
Quote:
Telemetry from "Briz-M" upper stage was obtained after the 4th burn. Telemetry was unstable, the signal continued to decline up to the loss of telemetry in approximately 12 minutes after receiving it.


Quote
Quote:
It was concluded that the middle gimbal ring (Pitch ring), reached a hard stop. The remaining 2 rings - yaw and roll - have a degree of freedom of 360°. At this point, inertial reference system was lost, and the error in the orientation of the pitch continued to accumulate over the length of flight.


Quote
Quote:
The entire flight program was studied. According to it, before maneuvering, guidance system of "Briz-M" upper stage performs a delta-turn of the second gimbal ring (pitch ring) in order to avoid the risk of locking the gyro. Analysis of the mission program revealed that the time allocated for the
delta-turn introduced into the program was incorrectly too little for preparing the maneuver before the third main engine burn.
Title: Re: FAILURE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: kevin-rf on 09/09/2011 06:29 pm
According to it, before maneuvering, guidance system of "Briz-M" upper stage performs a delta-turn of the second gimbal ring (pitch ring) in order to avoid the risk of locking the gyro.
Do they reorient the stage or, just the ring?
Title: Re: FAILURE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: kevin-rf on 09/09/2011 06:43 pm
Now this is interesting further on in the NK forums, legacy of it's ICBM heritage:

Quote
нее.. Это разные явления . Рамка на упор - это когда одна из рамок не может крутиться на 360. Скорее всего - тяжелое наследие военного дизайна. МБР летают по довольно плоским траекториям. (к тому же меньше чем на виток орбиты) Получается, что по 2-м осям из трех (по тангажу и вращению) можно сделать ход рамки 180 градусов - а то и поменьше.

А имея такие небольшие рабочие углы рамок можно сделать внутренний, а не внешний кардановый подвес - и сэкономить на размерах и массе. (и еще сэкономить на токосьемных кольцах - но кого в 21-первом это интересует)


А чтобы не было складывания рамок (на традиционных ГСП) - нужно либо подвеску делать в виде шара, плавающего в тяжелой жидкости (американцы - сначала на МХ ставили- затем на Минитмен3) - супер точная и супер дорогая штука.
Либо 4-ю рамку добавить. (лишняя масса -и сложность)
Google translated:
Quote
it .. This is a different phenomenon. Frame to stop - this is when one of the frames can not spin at 360. Most likely - a heavy legacy of military design. ICBM flying on a fairly flat trajectory. (Also less than a revolution orbit) It turns out that on the 2nd of three axes (pitch and rotation) can make a move frame 180 degrees - or even less.

And with such small working angles of the framework can be internal, and no external gimbals - and save on size and weight. (And save on tokosemnyh rings - but who in the first 21 interested in this)

And that was not folding frames (in the traditional GSP) - to make a pendant in the form of a ball floating in the heavy fluid (the Americans - first in the MX-set then on Minitmen3) - super accurate and super expensive stuff. Or the 4th frame to add. (Extra weight and complexity) Although AM4 out more
Title: Re: FAILURE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: sdsds on 09/09/2011 07:09 pm
Trying to summarize this:
- The gyroscope design limits the motion of the pitch ring.
- Other gyroscope designs don't have this limit; this one does because its simpler to implement and was sufficient for (ICBM) heritage applications.
- There's a way to work around this limit, and Briz-M attempts to do that.
- On this mission the work-around was improperly implemented, thus exposing the underlying limitation of the gyroscope.

Correct thus far?  Then more questions:
- Did the control logic for the stage fire the engine again even though the gyroscope data was detectably incorrect?
- Is the stage operation completely autonomous, or could it have gone into "safe" mode and awaited instructions from ground control?
Title: Re: FAILURE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: input~2 on 09/09/2011 07:34 pm
For a text in English on the investigation results, see also
http://www.russianspaceweb.com/proton_2011.html#investigation
Title: Re: FAILURE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: input~2 on 09/10/2011 05:27 am
According to it, before maneuvering, guidance system of "Briz-M" upper stage performs a delta-turn of the second gimbal ring (pitch ring) in order to avoid the risk of locking the gyro.
Do they reorient the stage or, just the ring?
AFAIU, it has to be the ring only, otherwise it wouldn't help.
Title: Re: FAILURE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: bolun on 09/12/2011 08:44 pm
Controllers in Contact with Russian Satellite Dropped Off in Useless Orbit

http://www.spacenews.com/satellite_telecom/110912-controllers-contact-russian-sat.html
Title: Re: FAILURE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: zaitcev on 09/13/2011 05:45 pm
Controllers in Contact with Russian Satellite Dropped Off in Useless Orbit

http://www.spacenews.com/satellite_telecom/110912-controllers-contact-russian-sat.html

It's a journalist lie. Mr. Dudok said no such thing.
Title: Re: FAILURE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: JimO on 09/13/2011 07:42 pm
But is it true, at least, that the French have established solid comm with the bird?

"Return of the Runaway Satellite"
Возвращение беглого спутника
14:48 13/09/2011
http://www.ria.ru/videocolumns/20110913/436563915.html
Константин Богданов


Потерянный российский спутник «Экспресс-АМ4» обнаружили французы
16:54 РБК daily: http://www.rbcdaily.ru/2011/09/13/media/562949981470991
РосБизнесКонсалтинг. [[email protected]]





Title: Re: FAILURE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: zaitcev on 09/13/2011 08:09 pm
No, Jim, it is not true. I've collected the list of Russian online sources. About half of them even refer SpaceNews by name. Others say "according to western MSM", which simply means the same SpaceNews article. ALL of them have the same made-up source. It's an astonishing lapse of basic journalism. Even Kommersant and Vedomosti fell for it.

Kosmicheskaya Svyaz' made it worse by posting a curiously worded release that is purported to deny all these reports, but it's formed in such a way that does NOT actually deny that the satellite is in a safe mode. That is because they simply do not know.

I am quite certain that the bird is dead based on the optical observations of the amateurs. After a few days in a stable orbit, its parameters changed. Since all normal drain tubes are terminated with a zero-moment T-ends, it means emergency, off-design outgassing. A safed satellite with working heaters would never do that.
Title: Re: FAILURE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: Sur2900 on 09/14/2011 08:11 pm
Ouch!  Bad data input .  They launched it into the wrong orbit.

http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/generic/story_channel.jsp?channel=space&id=news/awx/2011/09/13/awx_09_13_2011_p0-368782.xml&headline=Proton
Title: Re: FAILURE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: rdale on 09/14/2011 08:16 pm
zait - certainly not questioning your info, but even AV Week/AS Daily say it's alive.

"Evert Dudok, president of Astrium Satellites of Europe, says the Express-AM4 is now operating nominally, albeit in an orbit far from its intended dropoff point (Aerospace DAILY, Sept. 13)."
Title: Re: FAILURE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: agman25 on 09/14/2011 08:25 pm
Even if they managed to turn it on, will be satellite be of any use in it's existing orbit ?
Title: Re: FAILURE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: rdale on 09/14/2011 10:04 pm
No - as indicated by the sentence right before...

"useless"
Title: Re: FAILURE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: JimO on 09/15/2011 04:14 am
So we still don't know if there is any live comm with it. Can any French colleagues contact Dudok directly, s'il vous plait?

Title: Re: FAILURE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: Nicolas PILLET on 09/15/2011 06:29 am
Mr. Dudok is from the Netherlands... :-)
Title: Re: FAILURE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: Stan Black on 09/15/2011 04:28 pm
 I guess they need to talk to Ekspress-AM4 to make sure it was not the cause of this accident.
Title: Re: FAILURE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: JimO on 09/15/2011 11:32 pm
What is the comm status of Express-AM4 and where did these claims of contact come from -- true, false, or merely misinterpreted? Help!!

Title: Re: FAILURE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: Olaf on 03/16/2012 09:33 pm
New situation
Stranded Satellite Could Be Salvaged
http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/generic/story_channel.jsp?channel=space&id=news/asd/2012/03/16/11.xml&headline=Stranded Satellite Could Be Salvaged
Title: Re: FAILURE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: Silmfeanor on 03/16/2012 09:40 pm
New situation
Stranded Satellite Could Be Salvaged
http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/generic/story_channel.jsp?channel=space&id=news/asd/2012/03/16/11.xml&headline=Stranded Satellite Could Be Salvaged

woah, I hope they pull it off. I've read a bit about the horrific connections from polar stations.
If they can pull this off they'll make some money from a loss and give the science being done on the south pole some nice support.
Title: Re: FAILURE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: goldfish on 03/20/2012 03:22 pm
An article which is saying they plan a splash down in the VERY near future

http://www.space.com/14935-falling-russian-satellite-controlled-reentry.html

Thoughts? Credibility?
Title: Re: FAILURE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: kch on 03/20/2012 03:35 pm
An article which is saying they plan a splash down in the VERY near future

http://www.space.com/14935-falling-russian-satellite-controlled-reentry.html

Thoughts? Credibility?

If the dates in the article are accurate, we'll know in less than a week.
Title: Re: FAILURE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: input~2 on 03/23/2012 01:36 pm
This looks like the last NOTAM (of 3) for Express-AM4 re-entry over the Pacific.
This third window would be March 27 from 1330 to 1530UTC

First window: March 25 from 1250 to 1450UTC
Second window: March 26 from 1310 to 1510UTC
Quote
A1160/12 -  QXXXX THE RUSSIAN FEDERAL SPACE AGENCY HAS PLANNED A SPACECRAFT  RE-ENTRY.  DEBRIS FROM THIS RE-ENTRY WILL FALL WITHIN AN AREA BOUNDED BY 4500N/17000E  4500N/16500W  3500N/16500W  3500N/17000E BACK TO  THE POINT OF ORIGIN.  IN THE INTEREST OF SAFETY ALL NON-PARTICIPATING AIR TRAFFIC ARE ADVISED TO AVOID THE NOTAMED AREA.  IFR AIRCRAFT  UNDER ATC JURISDICTION SHOULD ANTICIPATE CLEARANCE AROUND THE NOTAMED AREA. SFC - UNL, 27 MAR 13:30 2012 UNTIL 27 MAR 15:30 2012. CREATED: 19 MAR 18:38 2012
Title: Re: FAILURE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: anik on 03/24/2012 09:44 am
According to http://www.interfax.ru/news.asp?id=237513, Ekspress-AM4 deorbit burn is planned at 09:45-10:33 UTC on March 25th, impact - at 13:32 UTC.
Title: Re: FAILURE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: input~2 on 03/24/2012 04:43 pm
Related navigational warnings
Quote
NAVAREA  NO.12-0176       Date:2012/03/20 12 UTC

 NORTH PACIFIC. 
 DANGEROUS TO NAVIGATION AREA DESIGNATED 
 DUE TO SPACE VEHICLE ELEMENTS FALL. 
 251250Z TO 251450Z AND 261310Z TO 
 261510Z MAR. AREA BETWEEN 35-00N 45-00N 
 AND 170-00E 165-00W. 
 CANCEL THIS MSG 261610Z MAR.

NAVAREA  NO.12-0183       Date:2012/03/22 12 UTC

 NORTH PACIFIC. 
 DANGEROUS TO NAVIGATION AREA DESIGNATED 
 DUE TO SPACE VEHICLE ELEMENTS FALL. 
 271330Z TO 271530Z MAR. AREA BETWEEN 
 35-00N 45-00N AND 170-00E 165-00W. 
 CANCEL THIS MSG 271630Z MAR.   
Title: Re: FAILURE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: Nicolas PILLET on 03/25/2012 04:01 pm
A poster on the French Space forum confirms the satellite has deorbited.

http://www.forum-conquete-spatiale.fr/t12753p60-lancement-proton-m-ekspress-am4-18-aout-2011-et-perte-du-satellite
Title: Re: FAILURE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: input~2 on 03/25/2012 05:35 pm
Quote
..splashed down at about the estimated time (1332UTC)
http://www.kommersant.ru/news/1900938 (http://www.kommersant.ru/news/1900938)

also
http://interfax.ru/news.asp?id=237636
Title: Re: FAILURE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: Stan Black on 12/01/2012 01:08 pm
Why would there be a software issue after so many launches[* (http://investors.viasat.com/releasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=603992)]?

Perhaps because in 2010 if it had launched on schedule Ekspress-AM4 was originally to have used the 48° parking orbit?

http://i050.radikal.ru/1108/12/642824b59c93.jpg
[* (http://www.satsat.info/ekspress-am2-80-e/21256-ekspress-am4-80-gr-2.html)]
Title: Re: FAILURE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: akula2 on 12/07/2012 02:08 pm
I'm wondering why this Satellite failed to reach the designated orbit  ???
Title: Re: FAILURE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: Skyrocket on 12/07/2012 02:40 pm
I'm wondering why this Satellite failed to reach the designated orbit  ???
I would suggest reading THIS thread...
Title: Re: FAILURE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: russianhalo117 on 12/07/2012 06:14 pm
I'm wondering why this Satellite failed to reach the designated orbit  ???
I would suggest reading THIS thread...
And start reading from the beginning every post to the present one.
Title: Re: FAILURE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: akula2 on 12/08/2012 01:38 pm
Thanks friends, I read all the posts.

I did some reading too. This is interesting:

The satellite has been in the wrong orbit since August, but was not damaged. Still, Russian officials said that from its erroneous orbit, Express-AM4 had been exposed to harmful radiation in space, and while several plans to salvage the satellite were reviewed, none were deemed feasible.

But officials at Polar Broadband disagree.

"Neither of the rationales used for deorbiting Express AM 4 — radiation dose received while stranded in its transfer orbit or risk of collision with other satellites — were applicable to our Antarctic mission orbit," company officials said. "The deorbit of the Russian satellite Express AM4 is a tremendous loss to the entire international scientific community and most particularly, those personally conducting scientific research in the harsh and unforgiving environment of the Antarctic."


http://www.space.com/15067-dead-russian-satellite-express-am4-mourned.html


The Satellite was a very good design, such a sad loss

Title: Re: FAILURE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: Danderman on 02/24/2013 07:07 pm
Ooooohhhhh, its made in the Ukraine. Look for some backwash from that.
The gyroscope flown was made by NII KP, an FGUP located in St. Petersbourg, as I and Anik mentioned. So, it is impossible to pin the failure on Ukrainians. I think Mr. Prober is trying to point out an alternative with a different technology base.

In any case, it is not established that frames have in fact folded and this is why the gyroscope exceeded the alotted time to orient. The State Commission apparently implied that giving it more time would let it orient itself, and thus the fault was with Mars Ltd. This is the official conclusion, as far as I know.

I didn't catch this at the time, but there might have been some confusion over the role of the design bureau and the production facility in assigning blame.

Every article produced for Russian aerospace is designed by a design bureau, but generally produced (made) by a production facility. So, in the case of a failure, there is the possibility of a design flaw, or a quality control failure. In the case of this particular spacecraft failure, although the unit was made in St. Petersburg, it is possible that the unit was designed in the Ukraine (I don't know where it was designed, but earlier messages ascribe the unit to the Ukraine).
Title: Re: FAILURE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: Prober on 02/24/2013 10:41 pm
Ooooohhhhh, its made in the Ukraine. Look for some backwash from that.
The gyroscope flown was made by NII KP, an FGUP located in St. Petersbourg, as I and Anik mentioned. So, it is impossible to pin the failure on Ukrainians. I think Mr. Prober is trying to point out an alternative with a different technology base.

In any case, it is not established that frames have in fact folded and this is why the gyroscope exceeded the alotted time to orient. The State Commission apparently implied that giving it more time would let it orient itself, and thus the fault was with Mars Ltd. This is the official conclusion, as far as I know.

I didn't catch this at the time, but there might have been some confusion over the role of the design bureau and the production facility in assigning blame.

Every article produced for Russian aerospace is designed by a design bureau, but generally produced (made) by a production facility. So, in the case of a failure, there is the possibility of a design flaw, or a quality control failure. In the case of this particular spacecraft failure, although the unit was made in St. Petersburg, it is possible that the unit was designed in the Ukraine (I don't know where it was designed, but earlier messages ascribe the unit to the Ukraine).

Your talking about the "all Russian" parts program.
Title: Re: FAILURE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: Danderman on 02/24/2013 10:46 pm
Ooooohhhhh, its made in the Ukraine. Look for some backwash from that.
The gyroscope flown was made by NII KP, an FGUP located in St. Petersbourg, as I and Anik mentioned. So, it is impossible to pin the failure on Ukrainians. I think Mr. Prober is trying to point out an alternative with a different technology base.

In any case, it is not established that frames have in fact folded and this is why the gyroscope exceeded the alotted time to orient. The State Commission apparently implied that giving it more time would let it orient itself, and thus the fault was with Mars Ltd. This is the official conclusion, as far as I know.

I didn't catch this at the time, but there might have been some confusion over the role of the design bureau and the production facility in assigning blame.

Every article produced for Russian aerospace is designed by a design bureau, but generally produced (made) by a production facility. So, in the case of a failure, there is the possibility of a design flaw, or a quality control failure. In the case of this particular spacecraft failure, although the unit was made in St. Petersburg, it is possible that the unit was designed in the Ukraine (I don't know where it was designed, but earlier messages ascribe the unit to the Ukraine).

Your talking about the "all Russian" parts program.

The Ukrainians use the same system. If the Russian Briz-M failed due to a gyroscope system failing, the question is whether there was a design flaw or a quality control. What I don't know is whether the original design was by a UKrainian design firm, or a Russian one (earlier this thread, the blame was pointed at a Ukrainian firm).

Also, and to complicate matters, production facilities generally are associated with their design bureau, which oversees production.  For example, Khunichev has the Salyut design bureau on-site; when NPO Mash was separated from Khrunichev, the Salyut design bureau was transmuted from a production facility design bureau to a full design bureau.

Title: Re: FAILURE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: Danderman on 02/24/2013 10:49 pm
Is this from a different manufacturer then used before?

No, the inertially stabilized platform for Briz-M upper stage is producing only by NII KP enterprize.

The question on the table is what enterprise designed the inertially stabilized platform?
Title: Re: FAILURE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: anik on 02/25/2013 08:52 am
The same.
Title: Re: FAILURE: Proton-M launch with Ekspress-AM4 satellite - August 18, 2011
Post by: Stan Black on 08/30/2013 06:43 pm
Payload: Ekspress-AM4
Rocket: Proton-M 8К82КМ with improved energy-mass characteristics (phase 3)
Upper stage: Briz-M 14С43 with improved energy-mass characteristics (phase 3)
Payload adapter system: 1194VX
Fairing: 14С75.1514 with improved energy-mass characteristics (phase 3)
Launch site: Baikonur 8П882К-4Ф (ПУ № 39)


State Centre for Space Research and Production, in the name of M.V. Khrunichev
Государственный космический научно-производственный центр имени М.В. Хруничева

Proton-M

1 123 000 000 Russian ruble

Briz-M

348 900 000 Russian ruble

Fairing 14С75 and payload adapter

Quote
Головной обтекатель типа 14С75 и переходная система для запуска КА «Экспресс-АМ4» (14С75-0000-0ТУ)
136 365 000 Russian ruble
Order placed: 16th April 2010
Contractual period: March 2010 to September 2011
Delivery: September 2011
[source (http://www.zakupkiold.gov.ru/Tender/ViewPurchase.aspx?PurchaseId=711719)] [source (http://www.federalspace.ru/main.php?id=15&did=860)]

Launch vehicle support

90 600 000 Russian ruble
Order placed: 21st June 2011
Contractual period: June 2011 to December 2011
[source (http://www.zakupki.gov.ru/pgz/public/action/orders/info/common_info/show?notificationId=743605)]

Proton-M and 14С75 delivery to launch site

Quote
Выполнение работ по транспортировке трех ракет-носителей «Протон-М» с ГО 14С75.15 для запуска КА «Экспресс-АМ4», «Луч-5А» и «Луч-5Б»
23 378 000 Russian ruble
 - price breakdown not available
[source (http://www.zakupki.gov.ru/pgz/public/action/orders/info/common_info/show?notificationId=272526)]

Подготовка к транспортировке, транспортировка, сопровождение РН «Протон-М» с ГО 14С75.15 для запуска КА «Экспресс-АМ4» и возврат порожнего транспорта
Order placed: 20th April 2011
Contractual period: May 2011 to May 2012
Delivery: May 2011 to December 2011
[source (http://www.zakupki.gov.ru/pgz/public/action/orders/info/common_info/show?notificationId=272526)]

Briz-M delivery to launch site

Quote
Выполнение работ по транспортировке двух разгонных блоков «Бриз-М» для запуска КА «Экспресс-АМ4» и «Луч-5Б»
26 650 000 Russian ruble
 - price breakdown not available
[source (http://www.zakupki.gov.ru/pgz/public/action/orders/info/common_info/show?notificationId=272423)]

Авиаперевозка и транспортно-экспедиторские работы по отправке РБ «Бриз-М» для запуска КА «Экспресс-АМ4»
Order placed: 20th April 2011
Contractual period: May 2011 to May 2012
Delivery: May 2011 to November 2011
Delivered: 6th July 2011
[source (http://www.zakupki.gov.ru/pgz/public/action/orders/info/common_info/show?notificationId=272423)] [source (http://www.federalspace.ru/main.php?id=2&nid=17498)] [source (http://www.aex.ru/news/2011/7/6/86438/)]


RUAG Space AB (Sweden)

1194VX


Centre for Operation of Land-Based Space Infrastructure (TsENKI)
Центр эксплуатации объектов наземной космической инфраструктуры (ЦЭНКИ)

Launch campaign

Quote
Подготовка и запуск ракеты-носителя «Протон-М» и разгонного блока «Бриз-М» с космическим аппаратом «Экспресс-АМ4»
570 000 000 Russian ruble
Order placed: 27th April 2011
Contractual period: April 2011 to December 2011
[source (http://www.zakupki.gov.ru/pgz/public/action/orders/info/common_info/show?notificationId=319702)]


Ingosstrakh
Ингосстрах

Insurance

Quote
Страхование запуска и эксплуатации на орбите космического аппарата «Экспресс-АМ4»
1 203 667 226 Russian ruble 61 копейка
Order placed: 18th August 2011
[source (http://www.zakupki.gov.ru/pgz/public/action/orders/info/common_info/show?notificationId=388675)]


European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company (EADS) Astrium

Ekspress-AM4

Mass: 5,745 kilogrammes
Platform: Eurostar E3000
Service life: 15 years
Transponders: 30 C-band, 28 Ku-band, 2 Ka-band, 3 L-band