Author Topic: LIVE: Sea Launch - Galaxy 16 - June 18 (Read 16325 times)

anik · « **on:** 05/11/2006 05:59 pm »

Zenit-3SL rocket will launch Galaxy 16 satellite on June 5...

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

"Built by Space Systems/Loral (SS/L), the 1300-series spacecraft, weighing in at 4,640 kg (10,229 lb), carries 24 C-band and 24 Ku-band transponders, primed to meet the needs of a variety of broadcast customers in the continental United States, Alaska, Hawaii, Mexico and Canada. Galaxy 16 is the fourth spacecraft Sea Launch will orbit for PanAmSat. While it is designed for a 15-year lifespan, Sea Launch’s direct insertion into equatorial orbit is expected to yield additional years of fuel life."

"From its equatorial launch site at 154 degrees West Longitude, a Zenit-3SL launch vehicle will lift Galaxy 16 spacecraft to geosynchronous transfer orbit, on its way to a final orbital location at 99 degrees West Longitude."

anik · « **Reply #1 on:** 05/13/2006 08:49 am »

http://www.sea-launch.com/mission_galaxy-16/sat_deliv/sat_deliv.html

"The Galaxy 16 spacecraft arrives at Sea Launch Home Port from the Space Systems/Loral assembly plant in Palo Alto, California."

[img=http://www.sea-launch.com/mission_galaxy-16/sat_deliv/images/G-16scHP.jpg]

vt_hokie · « **Reply #2 on:** 05/13/2006 09:21 am »

Everything seems to be going up on Sea Launch these days...

Quote

While it is designed for a 15-year lifespan, Sea Launch’s direct insertion into equatorial orbit is expected to yield additional years of fuel life.

Propellant life doesn't seem to be much of an issue these days. I wonder what percentage of satellites being launched nowadays will actually last long enough for propellant to be the limiting factor.

Jamie Young · « **Reply #3 on:** 05/18/2006 02:44 am »

Looking forward to this launch! The last one was a lot of fun with the live coverage here.

anik · « **Reply #4 on:** 05/22/2006 03:49 pm »

According to Kommersant newspaper, Galaxy 16 satellite will be launched on June 12...

anik · « **Reply #5 on:** 05/23/2006 09:18 pm »

Images of transportation of the Payload Unit (with the Galaxy 16 satellite) from the Payload Processing Facility to the Sea Launch Commander for its integration with Zenit-3SL rocket...

http://www.sea-launch.com/mission_galaxy-16/payload_rollout/payload_rollout.html

[img=http://www.sea-launch.com/mission_galaxy-16/payload_rollout/images/g16_plu_turn.jpg]

anik · « **Reply #6 on:** 06/01/2006 11:37 am »

According to my source, the launch date is TBD now due to Galaxy 16 satellite...

The departure of Odyssey platform with Zenit-3SL from Long Beach was planned on May 30 (with launch on June 14), but for the present the platform is in Long Beach...

anik · « **Reply #7 on:** 06/03/2006 11:26 pm »

http://www.sea-launch.com/mission_galaxy-16/ilv_transfer/ilv_transfer.html
http://www.sea-launch.com/mission_galaxy-16/ilv_erect/ilv_erect.html

[img=http://www.sea-launch.com/mission_galaxy-16/ilv_transfer/images/ILV-101_lr.jpg]

[img=http://www.sea-launch.com/mission_galaxy-16/ilv_transfer/images/ILV-LP_lr.jpg]

[img=http://www.sea-launch.com/mission_galaxy-16/ilv_erect/images/erect9.jpg]

P.S.: MCC-M expert has told me that for the present the launch date is June 14...

Space Lizard · « **Reply #8 on:** 06/04/2006 10:39 am »

I thought they needed 16 days between Odyssey's departure from Long Beach and lift-off.

When were theses pics taken and where's the platform now? The webcam link below is not very useful (quite dark at 10:21 GMT, must be at sea).

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

edkyle99 · « **Reply #9 on:** 06/04/2006 02:58 pm »

The webcam shows them at sea now, as of 6/4/06 at 14:41 GMT, passing beneath cloud cover.

Sea Launch have hoodwinked us, it appears, since GOES images don't show any weather within several hundred miles of San Diego this morning. Odyssey appears to have been at sea for awhile.

- Ed Kyle

Space Lizard · « **Reply #10 on:** 06/04/2006 03:05 pm »

Right. When did they leave Long Beach?

edkyle99 · « **Reply #11 on:** 06/04/2006 03:16 pm »

Quote

Space Lizard - 4/6/2006 9:52 AM

Right. When did they leave Long Beach?

I don't know for sure, but the web page that shows the vehicle erection test photos in port is dated June 1, 2006. In the past, Odyssey has departed the day after this test.

- Ed Kyle

anik · « **Reply #12 on:** 06/05/2006 08:28 am »

Alas, according to MCC-M expert, Zenit-3SL rocket will not be launched on June 14...

Odyssey is at sea now, but platform possibly will be returned to Long Beach due to problems with Galaxy 16 satellite...

Boeing should announce the new launch date on June 9...

anik · « **Reply #13 on:** 06/05/2006 02:13 pm »

Reliable source has told me today that the new preliminary launch date is June 17 now...

For the present, Odyssey is floating to launch site... More likely the platform will not be returned to Long Beach, because a helicopter has delivered a new equipment for the resolve of problems with Galaxy 16 satellite... The Sea Launch Commander ship should depart Long Beach tomorrow...

anik · « **Reply #14 on:** 06/06/2006 12:08 pm »

http://www.boeing.com/news/releases/2006/q2/060605d_nr.html

"The Odyssey Launch Platform and the Sea Launch Commander have departed Home Port in Long Beach, Calif., in preparation for Sea Launch's third mission of the year, the launch of PanAmSat's Galaxy 16 communications satellite. The Sea Launch team is working toward liftoff at the opening of a two-hour launch window, at 12:50 am Pacific Daylight Time (07:50 GMT) on June 17."

censored account · « **Reply #15 on:** 06/06/2006 04:30 pm »

Quote

anik - 6/6/2006 4:55 AM

http://www.boeing.com/news/releases/2006/q2/060605d_nr.html

"The Odyssey Launch Platform and the Sea Launch Commander have departed Home Port in Long Beach, Calif., in preparation for Sea Launch's third mission of the year, the launch of PanAmSat's Galaxy 16 communications satellite. The Sea Launch team is working toward liftoff at the opening of a two-hour launch window, at 12:50 am Pacific Daylight Time (07:50 GMT) on June 17."

Yes we are finally off and running for the G-16 launch, the date and time quoted above are correct as of today. The past launch delays have been the result of minor problems (that can drive you crazy) that have been resolved. Wish us luck!

Bob

anik · « **Reply #16 on:** 06/06/2006 04:58 pm »

Quote

bobrogg - 6/6/2006 8:17 PM

Wish us luck!

Good luck, guys!

And I wish you successful launch!

edkyle99 · « **Reply #17 on:** 06/09/2006 07:08 pm »

"WASHINGTON, June 9 (RIA Novosti)"
"Sea Launch said in a news release that a Russian-made Zenit-3SL carrier rocket would put the Galaxy 16 communications satellite into orbit in a launch scheduled to happen at 7:50 a.m. GMT."

http://en.rian.ru/world/20060609/49269325.html

Russian-made?

- Ed Kyle

censored account · « **Reply #18 on:** 06/14/2006 08:53 pm »

My error on the launch time. Its 00:50:00 PDT June 17th, 07:50:00 UTC/GMT June 17th--- NOT 17:50:00 as posted earlier.

Bob

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #19 on:** 06/14/2006 09:04 pm »

Not to bad for the UK timezones (UTC+1)

Space Lizard · « **Reply #20 on:** 06/15/2006 04:54 pm »

I can see the launcher on the webcam. Is it roll out time?

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

edkyle99 · « **Reply #21 on:** 06/15/2006 09:45 pm »

Quote

Space Lizard - 15/6/2006 11:41 AM

I can see the launcher on the webcam. Is it roll out time?

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

Should be. Launch is planned for 6-17-06 at 07:50 UTC, which is tomorrow night at the launch site. Rollout usually happens the day before launch.

- Ed Kyle

anik · « **Reply #22 on:** 06/16/2006 08:11 am »

According to my source, Zenit-3SL launch is postponed till June 18...

For the present, I do not know the reason of this delay...

Terry Rocket · « **Reply #23 on:** 06/16/2006 11:24 am »

anik · « **Reply #24 on:** 06/16/2006 08:58 pm »

Quote

anik - 16/6/2006 11:58 AM

According to my source, Zenit-3SL launch is postponed till June 18... For the present, I do not know the reason of this delay...

Is my source mistaken?...

I know exactly that there was an electric problem with Zenit-3SL rocket (the "minus" was on its case) and the decision about launch date should be accepted tonight...

Maybe they simply have resolved this problem and launch will be on June 17...

DaveS · « **Reply #25 on:** 06/16/2006 10:28 pm »

Launch reset for June 18: http://www.sea-launch.com/current_launch.htm

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #26 on:** 06/16/2006 11:46 pm »

Moving this into Newswire for the live event.

censored account · « **Reply #27 on:** 06/18/2006 04:44 am »

T- 3:20:00 and counting!

Bob

anik · « **Reply #28 on:** 06/18/2006 07:29 am »

anik · « **Reply #29 on:** 06/18/2006 08:41 am »

According to information from MCC-M, Zenit-3SL rocket was launched successfully!...

Galaxy 16 satellite with DM-SL upper stage has successfully separated from rocket!...

And the first ignition of engine of DM-SL upper stage was also successful!...

anik · « **Reply #30 on:** 06/18/2006 09:17 am »

According to information from MCC-M, the second burn of DM-SL upper stage was successful!...

Galaxy 16 has successfully separated from DM-SL upper stage!...

Congratulations!...

anik · « **Reply #31 on:** 06/18/2006 10:03 am »

Sea Launch Delivers Galaxy 16 Satellite to Orbit
Long Beach, Calif., June 18, 2006

http://www.sea-launch.com/news_releases/nr_060618.html

"Sea Launch Company today successfully delivered PanAmSat’s Galaxy 16 communications satellite to geosynchronous transfer orbit (GTO). Early data indicate the spacecraft is accurately positioned and in excellent condition.

A Zenit-3SL vehicle lifted off at 12:50 am PDT (07:50 GMT) from the Odyssey Launch Platform, positioned at 154 degrees West Longitude in the equatorial Pacific. All systems performed nominally throughout flight. The Block DM upper stage inserted the the 4,640 kg (10,229 lb) Loral 1300-series spacecraft, to geosynchronous transfer orbit (GTO), on its way to a final orbital position of 99 degrees West Longitude. A ground station at Hartebeesthoek, near Pretoria, South Africa, acquired the first signal from the satellite shortly after spacecraft separation."

anik · « **Reply #32 on:** 06/18/2006 11:46 am »

Launch photo from http://www.sea-launch.com/mission_galaxy-16/gallery/galaxy16-launch-tall.html

edkyle99 · « **Reply #33 on:** 07/01/2006 03:36 am »

Odyssey is still at sea as of 7-1-06, still returning to Home Port.

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

- Ed Kyle