I doubt that RSA is putting a single penny in Proton IV. Seems like the changes are paid for and organized by Krunichev. The RSA hasn't got any payloads that heavy other then maybe MRM. This upgrade is purely driven by the need of commercial costumers. With Zenit-3SL capable of similar heavy payloads out of the game, Proton can nicely fill that gap. But as indicated before this is more of a mid life upgrade and production will just continue in line. You can't demand a phase 3 Proton M once production has successfully switched to the new standard.Now, anyone want to make a guess a Proton M with a RD-0146U upper stage would do?
However site 250 is now to be the launch site of Angara; already designed to support hydrogen oxygen and kerosene rockets from Energia. And it has been preserved in a working state unlike site 40 which was stripped bare.
Quote from: Stan Black on 08/22/2010 08:41 pmHowever site 250 is now to be the launch site of Angara; already designed to support hydrogen oxygen and kerosene rockets from Energia. And it has been preserved in a working state unlike site 40 which was stripped bare.I heard rumors that there was some disagreement about the situation at site 250. For the lack of money to repair it, Kazakh side signed off waivers. In particular the status of one of the lightning towers is a suspect since one of Energiya launches damaged it. Also, site 250 was used as fuel storage facility and allegedly Russians did not hand over that fuel plant into the assets of Baiterek. That, and lack of money, kinda makes the whole project a suspect, IMHO.On the other hand, 200/40 is now free for deep changes in support of the long-fairing Proton, for instance (needs a different service tower) -- provided that money are available, again.-- Pete
These fairing options can be fielded in 30-36 months of authority to proceed and will support Proton M and Proton M/Breeze M vehicle launches as early as mid-2001.
These fairing options can be available 18 months from contract signing and will support Proton M and Proton M/Breeze M vehicle launches.
Such options can typically be available 18 months from contract signing.
Such PLF options can take up to 48 months from contract signing to becoming available.
A proton with a cryogenic second stage would be great thing for a international beyond LEO exploration project.The Russians could get a ISS derived component to L2 maybe!
Quote from: infocat13 on 03/31/2010 01:28 pm A proton with a cryogenic second stage would be great thing for a international beyond LEO exploration project.The Russians could get a ISS derived component to L2 maybe!According to Excalibur Almaz an all-hypergolic, five stage Proton (two Briz-M) can throw 7 tons to 4 km/s. I just can't imagine the performance with RD54-powered second and third stages and RD-56 (KVRD ?) fourth stage...
Quote from: VR2 on 03/31/2010 08:24 amQuote from: Stan Black on 03/30/2010 02:57 pmQuote from: VR2 on 03/30/2010 02:15 pmQuoteThe EchoStar XIV... the first commercial flight of the enhanced Phase III Proton.... this year?I think, that all the Protons 935xx series are of the enhanced Phase III.Possibly the Proton is... but what about the white launch fairing?White fairings is probably related to a federal flight.(The first three rockets (93501 - 93503) were white.)My point is that the entire package to launch a satellite includes a Proton rocket, Briz-M upper stage, payload adapter and fairing. Whilst there is a new sequence of Proton in use there appears to be something else that makes this and 93501 / 99501 phase III missions.
Quote from: Stan Black on 03/30/2010 02:57 pmQuote from: VR2 on 03/30/2010 02:15 pmQuoteThe EchoStar XIV... the first commercial flight of the enhanced Phase III Proton.... this year?I think, that all the Protons 935xx series are of the enhanced Phase III.Possibly the Proton is... but what about the white launch fairing?White fairings is probably related to a federal flight.(The first three rockets (93501 - 93503) were white.)
Quote from: VR2 on 03/30/2010 02:15 pmQuoteThe EchoStar XIV... the first commercial flight of the enhanced Phase III Proton.... this year?I think, that all the Protons 935xx series are of the enhanced Phase III.Possibly the Proton is... but what about the white launch fairing?
QuoteThe EchoStar XIV... the first commercial flight of the enhanced Phase III Proton.... this year?I think, that all the Protons 935xx series are of the enhanced Phase III.
The EchoStar XIV... the first commercial flight of the enhanced Phase III Proton.
Do we know with any certainty from authoritative Russian sources whether the plans to fly a LOX/LH2 upper stage on Proton are still on-going or simply dead and buried?
I doubt Kazakhstan really wants Proton to go. Pure negotiations. I rate Kazakhi environmental concerns about as genuine as Micheal Jackson's nose and about as hypocritical as North Koreans calls for peace.They want cash, USD preferable, but Ruble's will do just fine. If you'd task them with covering half of all the expenses of Biatrek you'd be able to launch Proton till somewhere early 22nd century.
“Nominal Mission Lifetime” means, with respect to the Express AM4R Satellite, (based upon a Proton phase 4 performance) a period of 15 (fifteen) years after completion of the Final or Provisional Acceptance of the Satellite in orbit (whichever occurs first).
“Nominal Mission Lifetime” means, with respect to the Express AM7 Satellite, (based upon a Proton phase 4 performance) a period of 15 (fifteen) years after completion of the Final or Provisional Acceptance of the Satellite in orbit (whichever occurs first).
