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International Space Flight (ESA, Russia, China and others) => Russian Launchers - Soyuz, Progress and Uncrewed => Topic started by: David AF on 11/29/2005 01:53 am

Title: Proton-M Launch (WorldSat-3) December 29
Post by: David AF on 11/29/2005 01:53 am
The Russian Federal Space Agency has confirmed they are ready for a December 6 launch of the WorldSat-3 communication satellite from the Baikonur space center.

Launch of the satellite will be onboard a Proton-M launch vehicle with Briz-M upper stage - on behalf of US communication giants SES Americom.

http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/content/?id=4074
Title: RE: Proton-M Launch (WorldSat-3) December 6
Post by: lmike on 12/05/2005 10:18 am
Roll out to the pad and the prep: http://www.federalspace.ru/NewsDoSele.asp?NEWSID=1260  Check out the weather.  The Proton is one rugged rocket.
Title: RE: Proton-M Launch (WorldSat-3) December 6
Post by: Justin Space on 12/05/2005 12:25 pm
Nice find. Sure is a beast of a rocket and you're not wrong about the weather. Looks a bit chilly to say the least!
Title: RE: Proton-M Launch (WorldSat-3) December 7
Post by: Chris Bergin on 12/05/2005 09:07 pm
Flight postponed a day.

http://www.interfax.ru/e/B/politics/28.html?id_issue=11431039
Title: RE: Proton-M Launch (WorldSat-3) December 6
Post by: DaveS on 12/05/2005 11:18 pm
According to this ILS  press release a new launch has not been set: http://www.ilslaunch.com/newsarchives/newsreleases/rec320/
Title: RE: Proton-M Launch (WorldSat-3) December 6
Post by: Chris Bergin on 12/05/2005 11:50 pm
Hmm, we'll have to check again tomorrow, but the Russian media's going with the one day delay and so are the AP just a few hours ago (although they'll be taking that from the Russian media reports) :)

Hopefully Anik will be able to get firm info in the morning.
Title: RE: Proton-M Launch (WorldSat-3) December 6
Post by: lmike on 12/06/2005 03:58 am
Quote
DaveS - 5/12/2005  6:18 PM

According to this ILS  press release a new launch has not been set: http://www.ilslaunch.com/newsarchives/newsreleases/rec320/

Interesting. According to this, the Proton is being moved back into the hangar to inspect the control system of the Breeze-M upper stage that didn't pass a pre-launch test. The Breeze-M's junior, Breeze-KM, was found to have a control system fault during the recent (failed) launch of the Cryosat on a Rockot. Of course, I don't know how much similarity is between the two control systems (they could have same boards/controllers), but it's good that they are double checking. If it's just a bad batch, they could probably just sawp it out. The Proton itself is a beauty of a workhorse machine
Title: RE: Proton-M Launch (WorldSat-3) December 6
Post by: publiusr on 12/07/2005 07:56 pm
Proton is their Saturn IB. Where Saturn IB was a LOX-filled Jupiter surrounded by alternating LOX/kero Redstones---UR-500 was a big oxidizer drum surrounded by fuel tanks with engines placed under them and the lip of the oxidant drum and all bolted together to form one big first stage.

They kept their rocket, and we abandoned our Saturns because they were Army rockets. Saturn IB started out with roughly the same lift capability as the over-complicated Titan IV left off--one more reason I can't stand the Air Force. I would have nixed the Titans and kept Saturn IB at the very least.

Proton is now a top selling rocket, Titan IV is extinct, and Delta IV is a dog.

Three jeers for the Air Farce.
Title: RE: Proton-M Launch (WorldSat-3) December 30
Post by: Chris Bergin on 12/08/2005 02:41 pm
Yep, it's a bigger delay. Dec 30 is the new date being considered.
Title: RE: Proton-M Launch (WorldSat-3) December 29
Post by: anik on 12/16/2005 07:42 pm
Quote
Chris Bergin - 8/12/2005  6:41 PM

Dec 30 is the new date being considered.

The faulty complex of command devices of the Breeze-M upper stage is already replaced and Proton-M launch is planned on December 29...
Title: RE: Proton-M Launch (WorldSat-3) December 29
Post by: anik on 12/24/2005 12:42 pm
1. ILS Reschedules Proton Launch Of AMC-23 Satellite - Media Advisory - Dec. 22, 2005
http://www.ilslaunch.com/newsarchives/newsreleases/rec323/

2. Proton-M/AMC-23 Launch Live Webcast [Image 0]
http://streamvox.streamos.com/vyvx/ils120505/

3. Proton to launch AMC-23 in late December
http://www.ilslaunch.com/stories/Current_Campaigns/Proton/

December 18, 2005
The AMC-23 satellite is mated to the Breeze M upper stage inside building 92A-50 of the Baikonur Cosmodrome [Image 1]

December 19, 2005
A busy day within building 92A-50 of the Baikonur Cosmodrome, engineers complete encapsulation of the AMC-23 spacecraft and the Breeze M upper stage inside the protective payload fairing. [Image 2]

Engineers begin the necessary steps to shroud the spacecraft in the protective payload fairing. [Image 3]

In preparation for encapsulation within the payload fairing, the satellite and the Breeze M upper stage are jointly lowered to a horizontal position. [Image 4]

4. AMC-23 satellite information [Image 5]
http://www.ses-americom.com/americom/siteSections/satellitesAndTeleports/plannedsatellites/amc23/index.php
Title: RE: Proton-M Launch (WorldSat-3) December 29
Post by: anik on 12/26/2005 08:10 pm
Proton-M rocket with Briz-M upper stage and AMC-23 satellite was transported on Launch Pad 200 today...
Title: RE: Proton-M Launch (WorldSat-3) December 29
Post by: Chris Bergin on 12/28/2005 12:37 pm
This launch is scheduled for 02:28:40 (UK time) or 9:28pm US Eastern on the 28th (today).
Title: RE: Proton-M Launch (WorldSat-3) December 29
Post by: British NASA on 12/28/2005 03:41 pm
Could this be 5 for 5 for the Russians! What a way to end the year!
Title: RE: Proton-M Launch (WorldSat-3) December 29
Post by: Mark Max Q on 12/28/2005 10:54 pm
2 hours 45mins to go.
Title: RE: Proton-M Launch (WorldSat-3) December 29
Post by: Chris Bergin on 12/29/2005 12:15 am
I'll post when the live feed starts - good to be able to watch this one as well, I'm thinking Anik etc. will be in bed ;)
Title: RE: Proton-M Launch (WorldSat-3) December 29
Post by: Chris Bergin on 12/29/2005 12:17 am
Hmmm, ILS have the launch expected to lift-off at 9:05pm EST....which is 2:05am UK time.
Title: RE: Proton-M Launch (WorldSat-3) December 29
Post by: braddock on 12/29/2005 12:22 am
Can anyone explain the structure of the satellite faring that gives it that sort of quilted patch-work look?  Is it covered with some sort of insulating pads?
Title: RE: Proton-M Launch (WorldSat-3) December 29
Post by: Flightstar on 12/29/2005 12:51 am
Looks like insulation padding to me. They'll never launch it with those on! I wonder how late they'll leave it before they are removed.
Title: RE: Proton-M Launch (WorldSat-3) December 29
Post by: Chris Bergin on 12/29/2005 01:11 am
Webcast has begun on this link http://streamvox.streamos.com/vyvx/ils120505/

She's not going at 9:05pm EST, as they are starting coverage at about 9:08pm EST
Title: RE: Proton-M Launch (WorldSat-3) December 29
Post by: Martin FL on 12/29/2005 01:17 am
Two minutes....at least until we get some live images of when they are due to launch ;)
Title: RE: Proton-M Launch (WorldSat-3) December 29
Post by: Chris Bergin on 12/29/2005 01:22 am
T-15 minutes and counting.

Very slick webcast by ILS :)
Title: RE: Proton-M Launch (WorldSat-3) December 29
Post by: braddock on 12/29/2005 01:24 am
Damn cold.... -19 C.  Typical Russian Winter?  Eek.
Title: RE: Proton-M Launch (WorldSat-3) December 29
Post by: Flightstar on 12/29/2005 01:25 am
-19C!  :o

The insulation is off, but now we know why it was on in the first place
Title: RE: Proton-M Launch (WorldSat-3) December 29
Post by: ADC9 on 12/29/2005 01:30 am
Very complex launch. Four stages, lots of engine firings for the geo-stationary transfer.
Title: RE: Proton-M Launch (WorldSat-3) December 29
Post by: Chris Bergin on 12/29/2005 01:30 am
That's nice. The ground crew get to sign their names on the fairing.
Title: RE: Proton-M Launch (WorldSat-3) December 29
Post by: ADC9 on 12/29/2005 01:32 am
Quote
Chris Bergin - 28/12/2005  8:22 PM



Very slick webcast by ILS :)

That mess of the VT link wasn't very slick ;)
Title: RE: Proton-M Launch (WorldSat-3) December 29
Post by: Chris Bergin on 12/29/2005 01:34 am
Should be at about T-5 minutes....no countdown clock on the webcast yet.
Title: RE: Proton-M Launch (WorldSat-3) December 29
Post by: Chris Bergin on 12/29/2005 01:37 am
T-30 seconds and counting.
Title: RE: Proton-M Launch (WorldSat-3) December 29
Post by: braddock on 12/29/2005 01:37 am
Launch!
Title: RE: Proton-M Launch (WorldSat-3) December 29
Post by: Chris Bergin on 12/29/2005 01:38 am
Wow, that blew off the pad big time. Powerful launch or what!
Title: RE: Proton-M Launch (WorldSat-3) December 29
Post by: Chris Bergin on 12/29/2005 01:41 am
Flight nominal. Second Stage ignition.
Title: RE: Proton-M Launch (WorldSat-3) December 29
Post by: braddock on 12/29/2005 01:42 am
What's the launch cost on a Proton-M?
Title: RE: Proton-M Launch (WorldSat-3) December 29
Post by: Andy L on 12/29/2005 01:46 am
Quote
Chris Bergin - 28/12/2005  8:38 PM

Wow, that blew off the pad big time. Powerful launch or what!

I hear you there! I thought it was going to destroy the pad!
Title: RE: Proton-M Launch (WorldSat-3) December 29
Post by: Chris Bergin on 12/29/2005 01:46 am
Second Stage seperation. Payload fairing seperation.
Title: RE: Proton-M Launch (WorldSat-3) December 29
Post by: Flightstar on 12/29/2005 01:48 am
Bill McMurry of ILS doesn't appear to like that cold weather :)
Title: RE: Proton-M Launch (WorldSat-3) December 29
Post by: Chris Bergin on 12/29/2005 01:51 am
Third Stage seperation. Briz-M ignition - now heading to a parking orbit before four burns to the geo-transfer. (which will take hours).
Title: RE: Proton-M Launch (WorldSat-3) December 29
Post by: David AF on 12/29/2005 01:52 am
5 for 5 in 8 days from Russia. Has to be congratulated.
Title: RE: Proton-M Launch (WorldSat-3) December 29
Post by: Chris Bergin on 12/29/2005 02:04 am
+19:14 seconds. Launch nominal, webcast ending.

6:48am EST (11:48am UK time) is the expected time for spacecraft seperation.

ILS say they'll post confirmation of that on www.ilslaunch.com
Title: RE: Proton-M Launch (WorldSat-3) December 29
Post by: Flightstar on 12/29/2005 02:08 am
Impressive launch and I hope they stay nominal all the way to the transfer.
Title: RE: Proton-M Launch (WorldSat-3) December 29
Post by: Space101 on 12/29/2005 03:05 am
Russia is showing how it's done at the moment.
Title: RE: Proton-M Launch (WorldSat-3) December 29
Post by: Sergi Manstov on 12/29/2005 10:45 am
Video of launch....

http://www.ilslaunch.com/stories/Current_Campaigns/#

Very powerful :)

Expecting spacecraft seperation in 10 minutes.

Current article:
http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/content/?id=4161
Title: RE: Proton-M Launch (WorldSat-3) December 29
Post by: Chris Bergin on 12/29/2005 11:14 am
That's what I call a launch.

Should have been spacecraft seperation by now (in the last 20 mins), nothing on the ILS site yet.
Title: RE: Proton-M Launch (WorldSat-3) December 29
Post by: Sergi Manstov on 12/29/2005 11:34 am
American site might be reason. Still too early there.

I would think a problem would have been reported, so I'm hoping this means it was successful. We will have to wait.
Title: RE: Proton-M Launch (WorldSat-3) December 29
Post by: Chris Bergin on 12/29/2005 12:36 pm
Spacecraft seperation confirmed.
Title: RE: Proton-M Launch (WorldSat-3) December 29
Post by: Sergi Manstov on 12/29/2005 01:34 pm
Great!
Title: RE: Proton-M Launch (WorldSat-3) December 29
Post by: publiusr on 12/29/2005 07:38 pm
Quote
Sergi Manstov - 29/12/2005  5:45 AM

Video of launch....

http://www.ilslaunch.com/stories/Current_Campaigns/#

Very powerful :)

Expecting spacecraft seperation in 10 minutes.

Current article:
http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/content/?id=4161

UR-500 Proton actually has more thrust on lift-off than Saturn IB, which also used a cluster of tanks as a first stage. Our Saturn IB was thought of as an Army rocket, and the Air Force wanted their R-36 Tsyclon class Titan II.

Titan II started off being inferior to R-7 Soyuz launch vehicles, then was over-optimised into the proton class Titan IV--a pad sitter now extinct. If only we kept our Saturns.

In the Soviet Union the artillery men played a great role--similar to what General Medaris wanted for the US Army with ABMA before space was robbed from him.

I think the biggest reason why the Soviet Space Program worked so well--was because they kept their Air Force away from it, where the Air Force in the US botched space due to fighter-jocks and the pilot's union.

Here is to more great Russian launches. Well Done.
Title: RE: Proton-M Launch (WorldSat-3) December 29
Post by: Colby on 12/29/2005 09:22 pm

A little late, but here are some screenshots of the launch...

Title: RE: Proton-M Launch (WorldSat-3) December 29
Post by: Jamie Young on 12/29/2005 11:09 pm
Nice pictures, thanks.
Title: RE: Proton-M Launch (WorldSat-3) December 29
Post by: lmike on 12/30/2005 11:22 am
Quote
braddock - 28/12/2005  8:42 PM

What's the launch cost on a Proton-M?

Last time I checked the (ILS) *price* of a Proton-M/Breeze-M launch out of Baikonour is about $85 million.  The *costs* are anybody's guess...  a lot of work (transportation/on-site work) is done by practically unpaid military drafted conscripts, Krunichev's personel are not that highly paid either. :(
Title: RE: Proton-M Launch (WorldSat-3) December 29
Post by: anik on 12/30/2005 11:46 am
Jonathan's Space Report No. 559
http://www.planet4589.org/jsr.html

"SES Global's 5035-kg AMC-23 was launched on Dec 29 by an International Launch Services/Krunichev Proton-M No. 535-13 with a Briz-M upper stage (No. 88514). AMC-23 is an Alcatel Alenia/Cannes Spacebus 4000C3 satellite which was originally built as Americom 13, then Worldsat 3, and is now to provide Ku-band and C-band multimedia and telecom services over the Pacific. The C-band payload will be partly used by the Japanese JSAT system. SES, based in Luxembourg, bought the old RCA (later GE) Americom system in 2001. The Briz-M delivered the satellite to a 6193 x 35615 km x 18.5 deg transfer orbit, leaving its secondary propellant tank in a 311 x 15526 km x 49.6 deg intermediate orbit. The Proton third stage was suborbital on this launch. AMC-23 will use its Astrium S400 apogee engine to reach geostationary orbit."