Author Topic: LIVE: Sea Launch - SICRAL 1B - April 20, 2009 (Read 58526 times)

satlaunch · « **on:** 11/15/2008 08:42 am »

Sea Launch Prepares for the Launch of SICRAL 1B

Long Beach, Calif., November 14, 2008 -- Sea Launch took delivery of the SICRAL 1B communications satellite this week at the Payload Processing Facility at Sea Launch Home Port in the Port of Long Beach. With additional arrivals this month of associated hardware and personnel, preparations for launch operations are now underway in support of this mission in January 2009.

Sea Launch will be inserting the SICRAL 1B communications satellite to geosynchronous transfer orbit for Telespazio, a Thales/Finmeccanica company, based in Rome. A contract signed with Telespazio in 2007 provides for the launch of SICRAL 1B to orbit on a Zenit-3SL vehicle. Built in Torino by Thales Alenia Space Italia, a Thales/Finmeccanica company, the dual-use Italsat 3000 bus spacecraft was integrated and tested in Cannes, France.

SICRAL 1B will provide strategic and tactical communications services for the Italian armed forces, in Italy and abroad, as well as ensuring mobile communications with land, naval and air platforms. It will also provide NATO forces with UHF and SHF SATCOM capabilities.

The launch of the SICRAL 1B satellite will follow the successful deployment and operation of SICRAL 1A, part of Italy’s first military communications satellite system dedicated to national security. SICRAL 1B has an expected operating life of 13 years and is designed to extend the potential of the system within NATO programs until 2019. As an investor in the SICRAL 1B program, Telespazio will have access of some of the satellite’s transmission capacity from its final orbital position at 11.8 degrees East Longitude.

http://www.sea-launch.com/news_releases/2008/nr_081411.html

SIM city · « **Reply #1 on:** 11/29/2008 01:34 am »

If they took delivery of the satellite a couple of week ago, why aren't they launching until January?

anik · « **Reply #2 on:** 11/29/2008 06:03 am »

Quote from: SIM city on 11/29/2008 01:34 am

If they took delivery of the satellite a couple of week ago, why aren't they launching until January?

Probably due to necessity of performing of planned annual maintenance service of the Odyssey launch platform.

anik · « **Reply #3 on:** 12/16/2008 01:54 pm »

The launch is currently planned on February 19, but it depends on Sicral 1B satellite, which has technical problems, which can require its returning in Europe.

SIM city · « **Reply #4 on:** 12/22/2008 03:18 pm »

Quote from: anik on 12/16/2008 01:54 pm

The launch is currently planned on February 19, but it depends on Sicral 1B satellite, which has technical problems, which can require its returning in Europe.

Any more word on what the problem might be with the satellite. Also, does anyone have confirmation of a rocket shipment to Long Beach?

ugordan · « **Reply #5 on:** 01/07/2009 09:00 am »

I suppose this is as good a place to post this video as any. Engineering slow motion footage of a SeaLaunch Zenit-3SL I ran across. If this was already posted, please delete.

cb6785 · « **Reply #6 on:** 01/07/2009 09:04 am »

Quote from: ugordan on 01/07/2009 09:00 am

I suppose this is as good a place to post this video as any. Engineering slow motion footage of a SeaLaunch Zenit-3SL I ran across. If this was already posted, please delete.

Who ever combined it with "the great gig in the sky": YEEEEEEEEEAH!!!!

SIM city · « **Reply #7 on:** 01/12/2009 07:24 pm »

The SL mission page is back to being under construction and all of the mission information has been removed. http://www.sea-launch.com/current_launch.htm

Is the satellite heading back to Thales?

mlorrey · « **Reply #8 on:** 01/12/2009 09:25 pm »

Quote from: SIM city on 01/12/2009 07:24 pm

The SL mission page is back to being under construction and all of the mission information has been removed. http://www.sea-launch.com/current_launch.htm

Is the satellite heading back to Thales?

Page looks fine to me.

SIM city · « **Reply #9 on:** 01/13/2009 01:23 pm »

Quote from: mlorrey on 01/12/2009 09:25 pm

Quote from: SIM city on 01/12/2009 07:24 pm
The SL mission page is back to being under construction and all of the mission information has been removed. http://www.sea-launch.com/current_launch.htm

Is the satellite heading back to Thales?

Page looks fine to me.

All of the content on the mission plan is gone and it's back to one paragraph, though it still says February. There has been talk about sending the satellite back to the factory.

anik · « **Reply #10 on:** 01/13/2009 04:58 pm »

FAA page has February 18 launch date.

satlaunch · « **Reply #11 on:** 01/15/2009 01:22 pm »

Quote from: SIM city on 01/13/2009 01:23 pm

All of the content on the mission plan is gone and it's back to one paragraph, though it still says February. There has been talk about sending the satellite back to the factory.

All mission info is back again.

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

yaroslav · « **Reply #12 on:** 01/25/2009 02:10 pm »

Quote from: ugordan on 01/07/2009 09:00 am

I suppose this is as good a place to post this video as any. Engineering slow motion footage of a SeaLaunch Zenit-3SL I ran across. If this was already posted, please delete.

.avi can be found at http://cad.kiev.ua/~slavik/opora.zenit.3sl.sea.launch.avi

link will be actual for month or two =)

vt_hokie · « **Reply #13 on:** 01/25/2009 06:38 pm »

Quote from: cb6785 on 01/07/2009 09:04 am

Who ever combined it with "the great gig in the sky": YEEEEEEEEEAH!!!!

Hehe...yeah, I second that!

SIM city · « **Reply #14 on:** 01/29/2009 05:08 pm »

http://smi.dp.ua/dnepropetrovsk/sotrudniki-konstruktorskogo-byuro-imeni-akademika-yangelya-106.html

This tidbit says there are Ukranians heading to Italy next week who are working on this mission. The platform would have had to have left already for a mid-February flight, so does this mean the launch won't be anytime soon...

anik · « **Reply #15 on:** 01/30/2009 03:34 pm »

The launch date is February 25 for now.

JulesVerneATV · « **Reply #16 on:** 02/02/2009 12:57 pm »

good news, sounds like they got those problems ironed out

anik · « **Reply #17 on:** 02/03/2009 05:36 pm »

March already, according to http://msdb.gsfc.nasa.gov/launches.php

anik · « **Reply #18 on:** 02/10/2009 02:14 pm »

MSDB shows the middle of March as the launch date (probably, 11th). But I was told that Sicral 1B satellite has technical problems again. For now it is not clear yet whether they can be resolved in US.

anik · « **Reply #19 on:** 02/12/2009 06:02 pm »

If repair of satellite occurs in Long Beach the launch will be in the end of March, if Sicral 1B departs to Europe the launch will be in April.

SIM city · « **Reply #20 on:** 02/17/2009 02:27 pm »

The Sea Launch homepage now says the launch has been delayed due to further tests and verification. It must be going back to Italy.

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

satlaunch · « **Reply #21 on:** 03/14/2009 10:06 am »

Sicral 1B launch date is NET April 19, 08:16-09:13 UTC.

http://fdfhome.gsfc.nasa.gov/docs/fdf_activity.doc

anik · « **Reply #22 on:** 03/21/2009 06:32 am »

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

"Sea Launch resumed preparations for the launch of the SICRAL 1B communications satellite in March, following a delay that allowed our customer to make further tests and verifications on their spacecraft. We are currently planning to launch SICRAL 1B in April for Telespazio, a Thales/Finmeccanica company, based in Rome"

anik · « **Reply #23 on:** 04/02/2009 02:23 pm »

Payload Transfers from Payload Processing to Rocket Integration
http://www.sea-launch.com/mission_sicral_1b/payload_transfer/payload_transfer.html

Rocket Transfers from Integration to Launch Platform
http://www.sea-launch.com/mission_sicral_1b/rocket_transfer/rocket_transfer.html

anik · « **Reply #24 on:** 04/03/2009 03:35 pm »

Rocket Rolls out to the Launch Pad for Final Tests
http://www.sea-launch.com/mission_sicral_1b/erect/erect.html

Approximate schedule (according to previous launches):
Odyssey depart - April 4,
Sea Launch Commander depart - April 7,
Countdown begin - April 16.

anik · « **Reply #25 on:** 04/04/2009 07:19 am »

Odyssey Launch Platform Departs
http://www.sea-launch.com/mission_sicral_1b/lp_depart/lp_depart.html

anik · « **Reply #26 on:** 04/05/2009 06:23 pm »

Webcam is switched on: http://www.navigon.net/sl/pictures/

mlorrey · « **Reply #27 on:** 04/06/2009 05:31 am »

Quote from: anik on 04/05/2009 06:23 pm

Webcam is switched on: http://www.navigon.net/sl/pictures/

Excellent. I love seeing launch companies that do this stuff to increase openness and transparency, it helps build public confidence in space launch in seeing whats going on.

anik · « **Reply #28 on:** 04/06/2009 04:18 pm »

Sea Launch Prepares for the Launch of SICRAL 1B
http://www.sea-launch.com/news_releases/2009/nr_090406.html

Long Beach, Calif., April 6, 2009 -- The Sea Launch vessels have departed Sea Launch Home Port for the Equator, in preparation for the launch of Telespazio’s SICRAL 1B communication satellite, on April 19. Liftoff is planned for 01:16am Pacific Time (08:16 GMT), at the opening of a 57-minute launch window.

Upon arrival at the launch site, at 154 degrees West Longitude, the Sea Launch team will initiate a 72-hour countdown. After ballasting the Odyssey Launch Platform to launch depth, the team will roll out and erect a Zenit-3SL rocket on the launch pad, execute final tests and then proceed with fueling operations and launch. Prior to fueling, all personnel on the Launch Platform will transfer to the Sea Launch Commander for the duration of the mission. The team monitors both marine and launch operations remotely from the ship, positioned about four miles uprange of the platform.

anik · « **Reply #29 on:** 04/14/2009 03:29 pm »

According to MSDB, the launch is delayed to April 20 with the same launch window.

lbiderman · « **Reply #30 on:** 04/15/2009 01:29 pm »

Quote from: anik on 04/14/2009 03:29 pm

According to MSDB, the launch is delayed to April 20 with the same launch window.

Two launchs on the same day (Falcon 1)? Cool!

ugordan · « **Reply #31 on:** 04/15/2009 01:31 pm »

Quote from: lbiderman on 04/15/2009 01:29 pm

Two launchs on the same day (Falcon 1)? Cool!

Wouldn't be the first time, on April 3/4 this year there were two launches within a 10 hour span. I'm betting something will get delayed this time, though.

William Graham · « **Reply #32 on:** 04/15/2009 01:40 pm »

Quote from: lbiderman on 04/15/2009 01:29 pm

Two launchs on the same day (Falcon 1)? Cool!

Could be three if the PSLV doesn't slip again

Ronsmytheiii · « **Reply #33 on:** 04/16/2009 02:29 am »

kevin-rf · « **Reply #34 on:** 04/16/2009 11:47 am »

sprinkler test or did someone try to ignore the no smoking sign

anik · « **Reply #35 on:** 04/16/2009 08:00 pm »

Sea Launch Counts Down to SICRAL 1B Launch
http://www.sea-launch.com/news_releases/2009/nr_090416.html

Long Beach, Calif., April 16, 2009 -- The Sea Launch team is initiating a 72-hour countdown at its equatorial launch site, in preparation for the launch of Telespazio’s SICRAL 1B communications satellite on April 20. Liftoff is planned at 01:16 am PDT (8:16 GMT), at the opening of a 57-minute launch window.

The team arrived at the launch site, at 154 degrees West Longitude, on April 15 and began ballasting operations to increase stability at 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, now in launch position about four miles from the platform. Less than two hours after liftoff, a Zenit-3SL vehicle will insert the the 3,038 kg (6,697 lb) satellite into a high perigee geosynchronous transfer orbit, on its way to a final orbital position at 11.8 degrees East Longitude.

Built by Thales Alenia Space for a 13-year design life, the dual-use Italsat 3000 spacecraft includes one EHF/Ka band, three UHF-band and five active SHF-band transponders. Telespazio, a Finmeccanica/Thales company, will use some of the satellite's transmission capacity to support communications services to NATO and the European defense market, while meeting evolving requirements of both the Italian defense ministry and NATO.

Sea Launch will provide live coverage of the SICRAL 1B mission via satellite and website, beginning at 1:00 am (8:00 GMT) on April 20. Live streaming video will be posted at: http://www.sea-launch.com/current_index_webcast.html. Transponder coordinates for downlinking our live satellite feed will be provided at: http://www.boeing.com/nosearch/sealaunch/broadcast.html.

D_Dom · « **Reply #36 on:** 04/18/2009 01:30 am »

Ronsmytheiii · « **Reply #37 on:** 04/19/2009 01:37 pm »

looks like the service arm for the fairing has been removed:

D_Dom · « **Reply #38 on:** 04/19/2009 07:49 pm »

Just a trick of the light. Transporter Erector is still in place. Images available here: http://www.navigon.net/sl/
Hard to see even in daylight, at night the spotlights overpower the camera and detail is washed out.

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #39 on:** 04/19/2009 10:15 pm »

And just a reminder that this launch is at 9:16am UK, 10:16am Europe.

jan_carlo_bascu · « **Reply #40 on:** 04/20/2009 05:32 am »

Just Two launches today, PSLV C12 succesfully blasted off but Falcon 1 was delayed after Malaysian satellite vibrations

jan_carlo_bascu · « **Reply #41 on:** 04/20/2009 05:32 am »

LIVE PICTURES FROM ODDYSEY

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #42 on:** 04/20/2009 07:44 am »

L-30 minutes.

And we have the Sea Launch Jazz band on the webcast, ahead of coverage from the launch site

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #43 on:** 04/20/2009 07:59 am »

If anyone is able to help with images and a recording of the launch, fire away, as I'll take the help.

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #44 on:** 04/20/2009 08:00 am »

Webcast starting.

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #45 on:** 04/20/2009 08:01 am »

Paula Korn commentating again.

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #46 on:** 04/20/2009 08:02 am »

LOX tanking completed.

Errector arm retraction.

T-14 minutes.

Nick L. · « **Reply #47 on:** 04/20/2009 08:02 am »

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #48 on:** 04/20/2009 08:03 am »

Nick L. · « **Reply #49 on:** 04/20/2009 08:04 am »

Nick L. · « **Reply #50 on:** 04/20/2009 08:05 am »

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #51 on:** 04/20/2009 08:06 am »

T-10 mins.

Nick L. · « **Reply #52 on:** 04/20/2009 08:07 am »

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #53 on:** 04/20/2009 08:09 am »

Looks like we're sorted for coverage, thanks to Nick. However, I can't record the launch (for some reason), so if anyone is able to record the stream http://varicast.variview.net/getcontent.aspx?WCID=84259033-8dcf-4231-aa07-dce4f97d965c# - please do so from T-30 seconds to staging (less than 20 mb) and PM me for where to upload. Thanks.

Nick L. · « **Reply #54 on:** 04/20/2009 08:09 am »

Nick L. · « **Reply #55 on:** 04/20/2009 08:11 am »

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #56 on:** 04/20/2009 08:12 am »

Nice shot:

Nick L. · « **Reply #57 on:** 04/20/2009 08:12 am »

Less than 4 minutes to go.

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #58 on:** 04/20/2009 08:12 am »

Free bar

Nick L. · « **Reply #59 on:** 04/20/2009 08:13 am »

All systems go!

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #60 on:** 04/20/2009 08:13 am »

T-3 mins polling: Go for launch.

Nick L. · « **Reply #61 on:** 04/20/2009 08:14 am »

Weather looking good.

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #62 on:** 04/20/2009 08:14 am »

T-120 seconds.

Nick L. · « **Reply #63 on:** 04/20/2009 08:14 am »

T-120 seconds.

Nick L. · « **Reply #64 on:** 04/20/2009 08:15 am »

Nick L. · « **Reply #65 on:** 04/20/2009 08:15 am »

T-60 seconds. Go Sea Launch!

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #66 on:** 04/20/2009 08:15 am »

T-60 seconds.

Nick L. · « **Reply #67 on:** 04/20/2009 08:16 am »

LIFTOFF!!! GO BABY GO!

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #68 on:** 04/20/2009 08:16 am »

Launch!!

Nick L. · « **Reply #69 on:** 04/20/2009 08:17 am »

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #70 on:** 04/20/2009 08:17 am »

First stage nominal. Max Q

Nick L. · « **Reply #71 on:** 04/20/2009 08:18 am »

Nick L. · « **Reply #72 on:** 04/20/2009 08:18 am »

1-2 sep!

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #73 on:** 04/20/2009 08:19 am »

Staging: 1-2 sep.

Nick L. · « **Reply #74 on:** 04/20/2009 08:19 am »

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #75 on:** 04/20/2009 08:19 am »

Second stage ignition

Nick L. · « **Reply #76 on:** 04/20/2009 08:20 am »

Fairing sep.

Nick L. · « **Reply #77 on:** 04/20/2009 08:20 am »

Block-DM telemetry on TDRSS.

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #78 on:** 04/20/2009 08:20 am »

Good fairing jettison

Nick L. · « **Reply #79 on:** 04/20/2009 08:21 am »

Nick L. · « **Reply #80 on:** 04/20/2009 08:21 am »

Engine pressures looking good.

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #81 on:** 04/20/2009 08:22 am »

Three mins to 2-3 staging.

Nick L. · « **Reply #82 on:** 04/20/2009 08:22 am »

Nick L. · « **Reply #83 on:** 04/20/2009 08:23 am »

Second stage throttling down.

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #84 on:** 04/20/2009 08:24 am »

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #85 on:** 04/20/2009 08:25 am »

Good staging. Block DM igntion:

Nick L. · « **Reply #86 on:** 04/20/2009 08:25 am »

2-3 sep! Block-DM start!

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #87 on:** 04/20/2009 08:27 am »

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #88 on:** 04/20/2009 08:28 am »

1800 miles downrange.

Customer promos running during Block DM first burn.

Nick L. · « **Reply #89 on:** 04/20/2009 08:29 am »

Now running the obligatory promo videos.

Ronsmytheiii · « **Reply #90 on:** 04/20/2009 08:30 am »

Does anyone have the direct link to the stream? I got up at 4:00 am to record but could not get it to work

Nick L. · « **Reply #91 on:** 04/20/2009 08:31 am »

Only thing I could find:
http://varicast.variview.net/mediaFactory.aspx?WCID=84259033-8dcf-4231-aa07-dce4f97d965c&StreamID=80&MediaID=1

Ronsmytheiii · « **Reply #92 on:** 04/20/2009 08:31 am »

Quote from: Nick L. on 04/20/2009 08:31 am

Only thing I could find:
http://varicast.variview.net/mediaFactory.aspx?WCID=84259033-8dcf-4231-aa07-dce4f97d965c&StreamID=80&MediaID=1

yeah, that doent work for VLC

Nick L. · « **Reply #93 on:** 04/20/2009 08:33 am »

Yeah, tell me about it. I've been pasting shots into image editors and cropping them to get shots.

Nick L. · « **Reply #94 on:** 04/20/2009 08:34 am »

Block-DM shutdown 1. Now coasting for over an hour.

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #95 on:** 04/20/2009 08:34 am »

I thought it was just me Ron. I couldn't get it to record either.

Nick L. · « **Reply #96 on:** 04/20/2009 08:36 am »

Helicopter inspecting the launch platform.

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #97 on:** 04/20/2009 08:36 am »

Sea Launch crew heading to the chopper for pad inspections

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #98 on:** 04/20/2009 08:37 am »

Nick L. · « **Reply #99 on:** 04/20/2009 08:38 am »

CEO of Telespazio on the phone.

Nick L. · « **Reply #100 on:** 04/20/2009 08:40 am »

Target orbit 35686x8606 km.

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #101 on:** 04/20/2009 08:40 am »

Paula: Did you see the launch?

Italian CEO: "Yes, it was very very impressive. What about you?"

Paula: "All going well here."

Italian CEO: "Good".

Nick L. · « **Reply #102 on:** 04/20/2009 08:53 am »

OK, after all those interviews/speeches, we know the flight is nominal...

Nick L. · « **Reply #103 on:** 04/20/2009 09:01 am »

And now into the coast phase with some smoooooth jazz...

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #104 on:** 04/20/2009 09:09 am »

Wouldn't be a Sea Launch webcast without some mellow Sax

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #105 on:** 04/20/2009 09:12 am »

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #106 on:** 04/20/2009 09:42 am »

Less than 10 mins to Block DM second burn.

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #107 on:** 04/20/2009 09:52 am »

Block DM upper stage ignition for its second burn:

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #108 on:** 04/20/2009 09:53 am »

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #109 on:** 04/20/2009 09:53 am »

60 seconds to cutoff.

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #110 on:** 04/20/2009 09:55 am »

Block DM shutdown. 10 minute coast phase.

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #111 on:** 04/20/2009 10:02 am »

Coming up on S/C Sep.

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #112 on:** 04/20/2009 10:05 am »

Spacecraft Sep! Congrats to all concerned. Very smooth.

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #113 on:** 04/20/2009 10:06 am »

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #114 on:** 04/20/2009 10:07 am »

S/C Acquisition

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #115 on:** 04/20/2009 10:08 am »

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #116 on:** 04/20/2009 10:14 am »

Insertion was very accurate, and lots of happy talk...

Jason Davies · « **Reply #117 on:** 04/20/2009 01:41 pm »

Thanks for the coverage Chris.

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #118 on:** 04/20/2009 04:43 pm »

Quote from: Jason Davies on 04/20/2009 01:41 pm

Thanks for the coverage Chris.

Sure thing. Because we have great launch coverage people like Steven and Ron - and given I'm on a slightly delayed connection with NTV coverage - I don't get to cover many launches like this. So it was a lot of fun, and a successful launch is always great

Thanks to Nick for helping out too.

Nick L. · « **Reply #119 on:** 04/20/2009 05:15 pm »

Quote from: Chris Bergin on 04/20/2009 04:43 pm

Quote from: Jason Davies on 04/20/2009 01:41 pm
Thanks for the coverage Chris.

Sure thing. Because we have great launch coverage people like Steven and Ron - and given I'm on a slightly delayed connection with NTV coverage - I don't get to cover many launches like this. So it was a lot of fun, and a successful launch is always great

Thanks to Nick for helping out too.

No problem. Sorry I couldn't hold out until S/C sep, it was 5AM and that smooth jazz just put me under...

anik · « **Reply #120 on:** 04/20/2009 05:37 pm »

For someone who interests in this: liftoff time was at 08:15:59.155 UTC.

Cbased · « **Reply #121 on:** 04/21/2009 11:22 am »

Injection orbit accuracy:
http://www.boeing.com/special/sea-launch/mission_sicral_1b/images/sicral_bullseye_injection_orbit_accuracy.jpg

Cbased · « **Reply #122 on:** 04/21/2009 11:26 am »

Telespazio's press release:
http://www.telespazio.com/SICRAL_Event_Launch.htm

and a nice launch photo:
http://www.boeing.com/special/sea-launch/mission_sicral_1b/gallery/img_src/mission_SICRAL-1B-wide.jpg

gwiz · « **Reply #123 on:** 07/04/2013 04:48 pm »

USStratCom hasn't issued any TLEs for this satellite, or for SICRAL 1, since late May. Looks like Italy is the latest country to get their military satellite TLEs restricted.