Author Topic: LIVE: Sea Launch: Galaxy 18 launch - May 21 (Read 33464 times)

jacqmans · « **on:** 03/29/2008 10:40 am »

28.03.2008 Russia delivered in THE USA space starting block for the program "sea start"

http://www.roscosmos.ru/NewsDoSele.asp?NEWSID=3118

(Translated)

Aircraft An-100 of Russian airline "flight" delivered to the airfield Long whip (pcs California, THE USA) space starting block DM -.SL, built in the rocket-space corporation "energy" (Korolev, Moskovskaya region), they reported "interfaksu" in the press- service of "flight".

"starting block enters into the composition of space rocket" the zenith -.3SL ", utilized by a rocket-space complex of sea basing" sea start "for the starting of automatic spacecraft from the floating starting platform", reported acting of the leader of the press- service of company Leonid shirobokov.

McDew · « **Reply #1 on:** 04/14/2008 01:17 pm »

Rumor has it that a problem has been identifed and a significant delay is likely.

WHAP · « **Reply #2 on:** 04/14/2008 01:37 pm »

Launch vehicle or payload? I would guess the latter, but don't want to jump to conclusions.

anik · « **Reply #3 on:** 04/14/2008 02:35 pm »

I heard there was problem with one of valves on Zenit-3SL rocket in previous launch. So all similar valves should be replaced on prime and backup rockets before the next launch. I was told it can take plenty much time.

anik · « **Reply #4 on:** 04/15/2008 03:35 pm »

I was told the preliminary delay is 20 days. So the launch will be possibly not earlier than the beginning of June.

kevin-rf · « **Reply #5 on:** 04/15/2008 03:51 pm »

Boy, that sounds scary, lets hope none get miss wired in the field while being replaced... don't want to see a repeat of ICO F-1 (software, but a valve being sent to the wrong state).

Danderman · « **Reply #6 on:** 04/16/2008 01:45 pm »

Quote

anik - 14/4/2008 7:35 AM I heard there was problem with one of valves on Zenit-3SL rocket in previous launch. So all similar valves should be replaced on prime and backup rockets before the next launch. I was told it can take plenty much time.

Someone should warn those people at Baikonur trying to launch a Zenit this week!

Jirka Dlouhy · « **Reply #7 on:** 04/16/2008 07:29 pm »

Preparations for the launch of Galaxy 18 in May

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

anik · « **Reply #8 on:** 04/17/2008 03:27 pm »

For now the launch is officially postponed by two weeks - from May 13 to May 27.

satlaunch · « **Reply #9 on:** 04/23/2008 12:33 pm »

Space Systems/Loral delivers the Galaxy 18 satellite to Sea Launch Home Port. It arrives from the manufacturing plant in Palo Alto, Calif., in a specially designed container on a flat-bed truck. The spacecraft team will remove the satellite from the container and begin processing activities in the Payload Processing Facility, in preparation for mating with a Zenit-3SL vehicle.

http://www.sea-launch.com/mission_galaxy-18/sat_delivery/sat_delivery.html

vt_hokie · « **Reply #10 on:** 04/24/2008 02:06 am »

SS/L needs to update its website...no upcoming launches listed currently:

http://www.ssloral.com/html/aboutssl/schedule.html

Sounds like they're busy in Palo Alto these days, though, and they just got an order for another EchoStar satellite.

da763 · « **Reply #11 on:** 04/24/2008 09:36 pm »

What's the source for this delay? Also, what happened to http://msdb.honeywell-tsi.com/launches? This page seems to have been down for weeks. Has it moved somewhere?

edkyle99 · « **Reply #12 on:** 04/24/2008 10:12 pm »

Quote

da763 - 24/4/2008 4:36 PM

What's the source for this delay? Also, what happened to http://msdb.honeywell-tsi.com/launches? This page seems to have been down for weeks. Has it moved somewhere?

The MSDB schedule appears to have been part of the following NASA Goddard contract with Honeywell Technology Solutions Inc..

http://www.nasa.gov/home/hqnews/2003/oct/HQ_c03kk_mission_ops.html

http://www.honeywell.com/sites/portal?smap=aerospace&page=Honeywell-Technology-Solutions3&theme=T6&catID=CFA9A2B17-A759-2CB7-DB00-863E36D59FCD&id=HB209AB41-5096-627B-7FED-7EFB46042BF9&sel=1&sel4=2

Either a contract change has been made, or Goddard directed (or was directed) to remove this page from the public Internet. MSDB had provided communication asset allocations for both civil and military range schedules, so it doesn't surprise me that it has disappeared. My guess is that the disappearance is permanent, but I've been wrong before.

- Ed Kyle

anik · « **Reply #13 on:** 05/05/2008 01:53 pm »

I was told Sea Launch Commander ship will depart Long Beach on May 9th. The preliminary launch date of Galaxy 18 satellite is May 21st.

satlaunch · « **Reply #14 on:** 05/07/2008 02:04 pm »

Payload Transfer from Payload Processing to Rocket Integration

satlaunch · « **Reply #15 on:** 05/08/2008 12:35 pm »

Galaxy 18 preparations continues.

Rocket Transfer from Integration to the Launch Platform

Rocket Rollout and Erection on the Launch Pad for Final Tests

anik · « **Reply #16 on:** 05/09/2008 06:31 am »

Sea Launch Awaiting Data on Land Launch Mission
http://www.space.com/spacenews/

"PARIS -- Sea Launch Co. is moving forward with plans to loft Intelsat's Galaxy 18 satellite the week of May 19 but will not proceed with the launch aboard a Zenit 3SL rocket until it reviews credible data on the performance of the vehicle's Land Launch variant during its inaugural flight April 28. That performance remains unclear, Sea Launch President Rob Peckham said May 8"

anik · « **Reply #17 on:** 05/09/2008 03:43 pm »

http://www.navigon.net/sl/pictures/

Odyssey launch platform has already departed Long Beach.

anik · « **Reply #18 on:** 05/12/2008 02:05 pm »

I was told the launch is planned at 09:23 UTC on May 21st. But (if I am understanding correctly) permission for launch will be given after the examination of data from AMOS-3 launch. That is why (I think) the Sea Launch for now has not issued the press-release with Galaxy 18 launch date.

William Graham · « **Reply #19 on:** 05/13/2008 06:45 pm »

Quote

anik - 12/5/2008 2:05 PM

I was told the launch is planned at 09:23 UTC on May 21st. But (if I am understanding correctly) permission for launch will be given after the examination of data from AMOS-3 launch. That is why (I think) the Sea Launch for now has not issued the press-release with Galaxy 18 launch date.

09:23 - 11:43, according to a reincarnation of MSDB.

anik · « **Reply #20 on:** 05/13/2008 09:15 pm »

Quote

GW_Simulations - 13/5/2008 10:45 PM

09:23 - 11:43, according to a reincarnation of MSDB

09:43 - 11:43 UTC is there.

My source was slightly wrong...

William Graham · « **Reply #21 on:** 05/13/2008 09:23 pm »

Quote

anik - 13/5/2008 9:15 PM

Quote
GW_Simulations - 13/5/2008 10:45 PM

09:23 - 11:43, according to a reincarnation of MSDB

09:43 - 11:43 UTC is there. My source was slightly wrong...

Thanks. I misread it (and the fact that it went offline again whilst I was looking at it earlier didn't help). Back up now though.

edkyle99 · « **Reply #22 on:** 05/17/2008 08:56 pm »

Odyssey appears to have stopped moving, as of the morning of May 17. There haven't been any announcements of a launch zone arrival so far.

- Ed Kyle

Sco7Buck · « **Reply #23 on:** 05/19/2008 01:15 pm »

72 hour countdown has begun.

http://www.boeing.com/special/sea-launch/mission_galaxy-18/l-72/l-72.html

anik · « **Reply #24 on:** 05/19/2008 02:37 pm »

Sea Launch Initiates Countdown for the Launch of Galaxy 18
http://www.sea-launch.com/news_releases/nr_080519.html

"Long Beach, Calif., May 19, 2008 – The Sea Launch team arrived at the launch site in the Equatorial Pacific over the weekend and initiated a 72-hour countdown, in preparation for the launch of Intelsat’s Galaxy 18 satellite on Wednesday, May 21. Liftoff is planned at 2:43am PDT (9:43 GMT), at the opening of a two-hour launch window.

Upon arrival at the launch site, at 154 degrees West Longitude, the team began ballasting operations to bring the platform to launch depth. A final series of tests on the launch system and the spacecraft are now underway. Prior to fueling operations, the platform will be evacuated, with all personnel safely positioned on the ship, four miles from the platform. An hour after liftoff, a Zenit-3SL vehicle will insert the 4,642 kg (10,234 lb) Galaxy 18 satellite into geosynchronous transfer orbit, on its way to a final orbital location of 123 degrees West Longitude.

Built by Space Systems/Loral (SS/L), the 1300-series hybrid spacecraft, carries 24 C-band and 24 Ku-band transponders, to provide advanced television, data and telecommunications services to Intelsat customers in North America, Hawaii and Puerto Rico. This spacecraft is designed for a 15-year service life on orbit. It is the 6th mission Sea Launch will execute for Intelsat and the 7th mission with a spacecraft built by SS/L.

Sea Launch will provide live coverage of the Galaxy 18 mission via satellite and on its website, beginning at 2:30am PDT (9:30 GMT) on May 21. Live streaming video will be posted at: http://www.sea-launch.com/current_index_webcast.html . Transponder coordinates for the satellite feed are posted at: http://www.boeing.com/nosearch/sealaunch/broadcast.html ."

McDew · « **Reply #25 on:** 05/20/2008 07:56 pm »

"Sea Launch spokeswoman Paula Korn said her company inquired to the companies involved with the Land Launch, Israel Aerospace Industries and Space International Services, and both said no malfunction took place and the mission was successful. As such, Sea Launch's chief systems engineer determined there was no reason to delay the launch and the constraint was lifted, Korn said."

Call me old school...... but a failure to perform flight software verification prior to launch and injecting the spacecraft into an incorrect orbit is a "malfunction".

edkyle99 · « **Reply #26 on:** 05/20/2008 09:16 pm »

Quote

McDew - 20/5/2008 2:56 PM

"Sea Launch spokeswoman Paula Korn said her company inquired to the companies involved with the Land Launch, Israel Aerospace Industries and Space International Services, and both said no malfunction took place and the mission was successful. As such, Sea Launch's chief systems engineer determined there was no reason to delay the launch and the constraint was lifted, Korn said."

Call me old school...... but a failure to perform flight software verification prior to launch and injecting the spacecraft into an incorrect orbit is a "malfunction".

Two questions.

1. Where did the Paula Korn quote come from?

2. Where did the information about a "failure to perform flight software verification" come from?

- Ed Kyle

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #27 on:** 05/20/2008 11:52 pm »

Moved for live coverage..

McDew · « **Reply #28 on:** 05/21/2008 12:24 am »

Quote

edkyle99 - 20/5/2008 5:16 PM

Quote
McDew - 20/5/2008 2:56 PM

"Sea Launch spokeswoman Paula Korn said her company inquired to the companies involved with the Land Launch, Israel Aerospace Industries and Space International Services, and both said no malfunction took place and the mission was successful. As such, Sea Launch's chief systems engineer determined there was no reason to delay the launch and the constraint was lifted, Korn said."

Call me old school...... but a failure to perform flight software verification prior to launch and injecting the spacecraft into an incorrect orbit is a "malfunction".

Two questions.

1. Where did the Paula Korn quote come from?

2. Where did the information about a "failure to perform flight software verification" come from?

- Ed Kyle

1. Space News
2. Russians

edkyle99 · « **Reply #29 on:** 05/21/2008 12:40 am »

Quote

McDew - 20/5/2008 7:24 PM

Quote
edkyle99 - 20/5/2008 5:16 PM

Quote
McDew - 20/5/2008 2:56 PM

"Sea Launch spokeswoman Paula Korn said her company inquired to the companies involved with the Land Launch, Israel Aerospace Industries and Space International Services, and both said no malfunction took place and the mission was successful. As such, Sea Launch's chief systems engineer determined there was no reason to delay the launch and the constraint was lifted, Korn said."

Call me old school...... but a failure to perform flight software verification prior to launch and injecting the spacecraft into an incorrect orbit is a "malfunction".

Two questions.

1. Where did the Paula Korn quote come from?

2. Where did the information about a "failure to perform flight software verification" come from?

- Ed Kyle
1. Space News
2. Russians

"Russians" as in anecdotal, or "Russians" as in news reports?

A quote from a Sea Launch representative in Space News would seem to have some credibility.

- Ed Kyle

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #30 on:** 05/21/2008 07:12 am »

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #31 on:** 05/21/2008 07:30 am »

Just over two hours to launch. You can just make it out, but it does appear like they have calm sea conditions.

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #32 on:** 05/21/2008 07:58 am »

Fueling underway.

elmarko · « **Reply #33 on:** 05/21/2008 08:35 am »

Webcast doesn't seem to have started at the correct time...

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #34 on:** 05/21/2008 08:44 am »

Quote

elmarko - 21/5/2008 9:35 AM

Webcast doesn't seem to have started at the correct time...

You're getting caught out by GMT like I did? L-60 minutes yet.

Plenty of time to enjoy the acid jazz on the webcast

elmarko · « **Reply #35 on:** 05/21/2008 08:54 am »

Ahaha. So I am.

And I wasn't sound-enabled before but now I am. Dancing around my office

Is the light going to improve at launch? The last Sea Launch I watched was dark

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #36 on:** 05/21/2008 09:03 am »

I think you'll find this one is going to be a night launch too...

Preview: http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/content/?cid=5428

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #37 on:** 05/21/2008 09:14 am »

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #38 on:** 05/21/2008 09:23 am »

By the way, I'll be recording it. I can only do asf - which works, but later someone will convert it to .wmv for those of you that get all arm wavey about not being able to fast forward etc

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #39 on:** 05/21/2008 09:30 am »

Webcast's started.

VB94 · « **Reply #40 on:** 05/21/2008 09:31 am »

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #41 on:** 05/21/2008 09:31 am »

T-12 minutes

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #42 on:** 05/21/2008 09:33 am »

LOX loading complete and in venting.

T-10 minutes.

Erector arm retraction.

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #43 on:** 05/21/2008 09:34 am »

Weather nominal and on track for an on time lift-off - via Rob Peckham being all presidential

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #44 on:** 05/21/2008 09:35 am »

VB, if you can do screenshots, that'll allow me to do text! (Bit early for the normal launch coverage team here)

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #45 on:** 05/21/2008 09:36 am »

T-7 minutes

VB94 · « **Reply #46 on:** 05/21/2008 09:38 am »

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #47 on:** 05/21/2008 09:38 am »

T-5 minutes, polling taking place.

VB94 · « **Reply #48 on:** 05/21/2008 09:39 am »

VB94 · « **Reply #49 on:** 05/21/2008 09:42 am »

T-60 seconds.

VB94 · « **Reply #50 on:** 05/21/2008 09:43 am »

LAUNCH!

VB94 · « **Reply #51 on:** 05/21/2008 09:44 am »

VB94 · « **Reply #52 on:** 05/21/2008 09:44 am »

VB94 · « **Reply #53 on:** 05/21/2008 09:45 am »

VB94 · « **Reply #54 on:** 05/21/2008 09:46 am »

Staging.

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #55 on:** 05/21/2008 09:46 am »

Stage one separation

VB94 · « **Reply #56 on:** 05/21/2008 09:47 am »

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #57 on:** 05/21/2008 09:48 am »

Faring jettison at T+4 minutes.

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #58 on:** 05/21/2008 09:51 am »

Stage 2 sep.

VB94 · « **Reply #59 on:** 05/21/2008 09:52 am »

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #60 on:** 05/21/2008 09:52 am »

Block DM ignition

VB94 · « **Reply #61 on:** 05/21/2008 09:53 am »

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #62 on:** 05/21/2008 09:53 am »

7 mins remaining in Block DM first burn.

VB94 · « **Reply #63 on:** 05/21/2008 09:55 am »

Ground track:

VB94 · « **Reply #64 on:** 05/21/2008 10:00 am »

End of first Block DM burn.

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #65 on:** 05/21/2008 10:11 am »

All seems nominal in coast phase.

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #66 on:** 05/21/2008 10:24 am »

Block DM second burn in seven mins.

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #67 on:** 05/21/2008 10:31 am »

Coming up on Block DM second burn.

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #68 on:** 05/21/2008 10:33 am »

Confirmed...

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #69 on:** 05/21/2008 10:34 am »

Block DM Shutdown confirmed. T+50 minutes.

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #70 on:** 05/21/2008 10:35 am »

Into a 10 minute coast ahead of spacecraft separation.

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #71 on:** 05/21/2008 10:43 am »

60 seconds to spacecraft separation

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #72 on:** 05/21/2008 10:45 am »

Spacecraft separation confirmed. Congrats to all concerned

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #73 on:** 05/21/2008 10:47 am »

And spacecraft acquisition confirmed.

jacqmans · « **Reply #74 on:** 05/21/2008 01:00 pm »

News Release

Number: 2008-34

Galaxy 18 Launch Successful; Powerhouse Satellite Within U.S. Cable Arc

Pembroke, Bermuda, 21 May 2008

Intelsat, Ltd., the world’s leading provider of commercial satellite services, announced today that at 5:43 a.m. EDT the Galaxy 18 satellite was successfully launched aboard a Sea Launch Zenit-3SL rocket. The satellite, built by Space Systems/Loral, will operate from 123 degrees west and serve programmers, government and corporate broadband customers in the continental United States, Alaska, Hawaii and Puerto Rico.

Galaxy 18 will join Intelsat’s coveted North American cable community within its Galaxy fleet comprised of 16 other satellites that cover North America, Central America and the Caribbean. The satellite features 24 C- and 24 Ku-band transponders allowing for increased power and flexibility for video and data transmissions. This is Intelsat’s first satellite launch of 2008.

Intelsat, Ltd. CEO David McGlade stated, “Galaxy 18 will provide our customers valuable 50-state coverage and reach Puerto Rico, Canada and Mexico, operating in a powerhouse role, delivering some of the most popular programming to millions of American homes. This is the first of two launches for Intelsat this year, both focused on enhancing our North American Galaxy fleet.”

jacqmans · « **Reply #75 on:** 05/21/2008 01:01 pm »

Sea Launch Successfully Delivers Galaxy 18 to Orbit
Long Beach, Calif., May 21, 2008 - Sea Launch Company today successfully delivered the Galaxy 18 communications satellite to orbit from its ocean-based platform on the Equator, marking its third successful launch in 2008.

A Zenit-3SL rocket lifted off at 2:43am PDT (9:43 GMT) from the Odyssey Launch Platform, positioned at 154 degrees West Longitude, precisely on schedule. An hour later, the Block DM-SL upper stage inserted the 4,642 kg (10,234 lb) Galaxy 18 satellite into geosynchronous transfer orbit, on its way to a final orbital position at 123 degrees West Longitude. Operators at the Hartebeesthoek ground station in South Africa acquired the spacecraft’s first signals from orbit shortly after spacecraft separation. All systems performed nominally throughout the mission.

"Congratulations to Intelsat on today’s successful mission," said Rob Peckham, president and general manager of Sea Launch. "This is our sixth successful launch for Intelsat. We’re extremely proud to be a part of your achievements and we look forward to launching your next satellite in the near future. This is the seventh mission with a Loral spacecraft and it’s always a pleasure working with your team. Thanks to everyone involved in today’s accomplishment, especially the people of Sea Launch and our partners, contractors and families around the world who support us."

Built by Space Systems/Loral (SS/L), Galaxy 18 will provide advanced television, data and telecommunications services to Intelsat’s customers throughout North America, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico.

"I would like to thank Sea Launch for doing a great job with today’s mission," said Thierry Guillemin, Intelsat’s Senior Vice President and Chief Technical Officer. "I also want to recognize and thank the teams at Space Systems/Loral and Intelsat for their continued hard work and dedication. Galaxy 18 is the 42nd satellite built by Space Systems/Loral for Intelsat. It is joining five other Galaxy spacecraft with key roles in the North American cable arc, which deliver some of the most popular programming to millions of American homes."