LIVE: Sea Launch - Eutelsat 70B - December 3, 2012

[anik]

The launch is planned on December 3rd.

SEA LAUNCH RECEIVES VEHICLE FOR EUTELSAT-70B MISSION
http://www.sea-launch.com/news_releases/2012/nr_120920.html

Bern, Switzerland, September 20, 2012 – The Ocean Force sea-based transport vessel carrying the Zenit-2S launch vehicle and Block-DM-SL upper stage designated for the EUTELSAT 70B mission departed the port at Oktyabrsky, Ukraine on August 14, 2012 and arrived pier-side at Sea Launch's Home Port facility in Long Beach, California on September 19, 2012. An additional Block DM-SL upper stage, provided by RSC Energia, was also included in this shipment for use on a future mission. The payload accommodations, provided by Boeing Commercial Space Company, will be shipped in early October. The EUTELSAT 70B mission for Eutelsat, one of the world's leading satellite operators, is planned for launch in December 2012.

Sea Launch AG, through Energia Logistics Ltd., has conducted a Hardware Acceptance Review of the Zenit-2S launch vehicle on July 23, 2012 to be utilized in support of the EUTELSAT-70B mission.  Later that week, two Block DM-SL upper stages were similarly accepted.  A team of specialists from the Chief System Engineer's Office at Energia Logistics Ltd., together with specialists from RSC Energia, reviewed all of the acceptance data for the Zenit-2S #SL 35 vehicle and found that all required acceptance test values were within specification.
Built for Eutelsat by Astrium, an EADS company, the EUTELSAT-70B satellite will weigh approximately 5,250 kilograms (11,574 lbs.) at launch. It is expected to arrive at the Sea Launch facility in October in preparation for the start of standalone and combined spacecraft operations.

[anik]

Current Mission - EUTELSAT-70B
http://www.sea-launch.com/current_launch_eutelsat-70b.htm

Preparations are currently underway at Sea Launch for the launch of the EUTELSAT-70B spacecraft.  EUTELSAT-70B will be located at 70.5° East longitude in geostationary orbit where it will replace the EUTELSAT-70A satellite. It will be used for a range of professional applications that include government services, broadband access, GSM backhauling and professional video exchanges in Europe, Africa and Central and South-East Asia.

Built for Eutelsat by Astrium, an EADS company, the EUTELSAT-70B satellite will weigh approximately 5,250 kilograms (11,574 lbs.) at launch.

The launch is currently scheduled for early December 2012.  Lift-off will occur at 12:43:55 Pacific Standard Time (20:43:55 UTC, 21:43:55 Paris) at the opening of the 54 minute launch window.

Launch Coverage

Sea Launch will produce live coverage of the EUTELSAT-70B mission, and stream video of the event on this website.  Launch broadcast will begin approximately 15 minutes before scheduled liftoff. Please click here to view our live mission coverage.

Payload

The EUTELSAT-70B satellite is based on the Astrium Eurostar E-3000 platform with a designed in-orbit lifetime exceeding 15 years. The EUTELSAT-70B spacecraft will carry 48- Ku-band transponders. The satellite will replace the EUTELSAT 70A craft and more than double Eutelsat's resources at its 70.5° East longitude location.  Each of the satellite's four high-performance fixed beams will be focused over a distinct zone: Europe, Africa, Central Asia and South-East Asia reaching as far as Australia. Through a high degree of on-board connectivity, clients will be able to use the beams either for regional coverage or to interconnect continents. This will support high-growth services that include secure government communications in Central Asia through hubs located in the region or in Europe, business networks between South-East Asia and Africa, and direct connectivity between Europe and Australia.

EUTELSAT-70B vital statistics:

Platform:  Eurostar E3000
Dimensions, in orbit:
H, 7 m
W, antennas: 8 m
L, solar arrays: 30 m
Mass at Launch: 5,250 kilograms (11,574 lbs.)
Spacecraft power (at end-of-life): 12 kW
Operational Lifetime: 15+ years

EUTELSAT 70B is the 29th Eurostar E3000 delivered, the 7th for Eutelsat, the 3rd to be launched by Sea Launch.

Mission Profile

From its ocean-based launch site located directly on the equator at 154 degrees West longitude, a Zenit-3SL launch vehicle will lift the EUTELSAT-70B spacecraft into an optimized geosynchronous transfer orbit on its way to its final geostationary orbit at 70.5° East longitude.

The Zenit-3SL rocket will begin its ascent phase of flight.  The first stage of the vehicle will separate 2:30 minutes (150 seconds) after liftoff, and the protective payload fairing will be jettisoned 77 seconds later at 3:47 minutes into the flight. The second stage will conduct a 6 minute burn, followed by its separation from the Block DM-SL upper stage.  The Block DM-SL will begin its first of two burns at 8:41 minutes (521 seconds) into the mission, for the duration of 320 seconds.  The upper stage will then shut down for a 36 minute coast period, followed by the start of the second burn at 50 minutes into the mission.  Spacecraft separation is expected at 1:06 minutes after liftoff, over the Indian Ocean.

Launch Timeline
Time    Event
L= 0:00:05    Liftoff
L+ 0:02:30    Stage 1 Separation
L+ 0:03:47    Payload Fairing Jettison
L+ 0:08:31    Stage 2 Separation
L+ 0:08:41    Block DM-SL 1st Burn Ignition
L+ 0:14:01    Injection into Parking Orbit
L+ 0:50:01    Block DM-SL 2nd Burn Ignition
L+ 1:06:00    Spacecraft Separation

[anik]

Eutelsat 70B satellite has been delivered to Long Beach.

[Salo]

EUTELSAT-70B SATELLITE ARRIVES AT SEA LAUNCH HOME PORT

BERN, Switzerland, October 17, 2012 - The EUTELSAT-70B satellite of Eutelsat, one of the world's leading satellite operators, has arrived in Long Beach, California and been transported to the Sea Launch "Home Port" facility. Following unloading, the satellite was delivered to the clean room area of the 16-acre sites payload processing facility, where mission operations and integration efforts are now underway.

After standalone spacecraft operations are completed, EUTELSAT-70B will be handed over to Sea Launch's prime contractor, Energia Logistics, Ltd., to be mated with the payload support structure and integrated with the Zenit-3SL launch vehicle before departure to the launch site in November. The launch of the EUTELSAT-70B satellite is scheduled for the early December timeframe.

The EUTELSAT-70B communications satellite departed from the Toulouse, France manufacturing facilities of Astrium, an EADS company on October 15th and arrived at the Long Beach Airport (LGB) on-board an Antonov An-124 cargo aircraft yesterday. It was subsequently transferred via surface roads on an oversized transport vehicle with representatives from Eutelsat, Astrium, and Energia Logistics Ltd. on hand to receive the spacecraft.

EUTELSAT-70B will be located at 70.5° East longitude in geostationary orbit where it will replace EUTELSAT-70A, significantly increasing resources and flexibility at an established orbital location.. This new high-capacity Ku-band satellite will be used for a range of professional applications that include government services, broadband access, GSM backhauling and professional video exchanges in Europe, Africa and Central and South-East Asia.

http://www.sea-launch.com/news_releases/2012/nr_121017.html

[anik]

I was told that Odyssey will depart Long Beach on November 17th, Sea Launch Commander - on November 20th.

[joek]

From their webcam (http://sl.navigon.net/)

[anik]

Odyssey has departed Long Beach.

[Prober]

Odyssey has departed Long Beach.

they have nice pics @ sea.

[anik]

Sea Launch Prepares for the Launch of EUTELSAT 70B
http://www.sea-launch.com/news_releases/2012/nr_121121.html

BERN, Switzerland, November 21, 2012 — The Sea Launch vessels have departed Sea Launch Home Port in Long Beach, Calif., for the equator, in preparation for the launch of the EUTELSAT 70B satellite for Eutelsat, one of the world's leading satellite operators. Liftoff is planned for 12:43:55 Pacific Standard Time (PST) on Sunday, December 2nd (20:43:55 UTC/GMT, 21:43:55 CET), at the opening of a 54-minute launch window.

Upon their arrival at the launch site at 154 degrees West longitude, the Sea Launch team will initiate a 72-hour countdown. After ballasting the launch platform Odyssey to launch depth, the team will roll out and erect a Zenit-3SL rocket on the launch pad, execute final tests and 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 away from the platform.

On launch day, the Zenit-3SL vehicle will lift the 5,250 kilogram (11,574 lbs.) EUTELAT 70B spacecraft into a defined high-perigee geosynchronous transfer orbit.

The EUTELSAT 70B satellite is based on the Astrium Eurostar E-3000 platform with a designed in-orbit lifetime exceeding 15 years. With a 48- Ku-band transponder payload, it will replace the EUTELSAT 70A craft and more than double Eutelsat's resources at its 70.5° East longitude location to provide premium communications services for users in Europe, Africa, Asia and Australia.

[Galactic Penguin SST]

The launch has been moved back 24 hours to December 3.

Sea Launch Adjusts the Launch Date of EUTELSAT 70B

Based upon the current projected arrival time to the launch site of the Odyssey launch platform early morning on November 30th, the launch team has decided to move the launch date 24 hours. Liftoff is now scheduled for 12:43:55 Pacific Standard Time (PST) on Monday, December 3rd (20:43:55 UTC/GMT, 21:43:55 CET).

http://www.sea-launch.com/current_launch_eutelsat-70b.htm

[D_Dom]

For any and all interested in following our progress, a blog has been set up with a blue button top center and link at the bottom left of our webcam page;

 http://www.sea-launch.com/webcam/

Includes many pictures and a running commentary on daily activities of the team.

(edited to add reference to the big blue button)

[spectre9]

Wow! Good work Kirk and all the crew taking those nice photos out there.

A bit of wildlife photography too I see 

That's a good blog, highly recommended.

Go Sea Launch, Go Zenit! 

[Lewis007]

A few nice pix on Eutelsat's Flickr site
http://www.flickr.com/photos/eutelsat_communications/

[Prober]

For any and all interested in following our progress, a blog has been set up with a link at the bottom left of our webcam page;

 http://www.sea-launch.com/webcam/

Includes many pictures and a running commentary on daily activities of the team.

wow, they eat very well on that ship.

[Prober]

From the blog....

SDO Yuzhnoye’s launch control center in Dnepropetrovsk, Ukraine

Don't think I've ever seen pics of this control center.  Anyone have pics?

[sdsds]

If I'm reading the blog correctly ("arrival to the launch site early Friday morning") they should be ballasted down by now. The blog is directly accessible at:
http://kirkpysher.blogspot.com/

[Prober]

Launch this eve I believe.

[Chris Bergin]

Moved for live coverage

[Prober]

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

[Galactic Penguin SST]

A few new-ish reports from Twitter:

Kirk Pysher ‏@ELUS_COO
The LP is now evacuated and being remotely controlled from the ACS in preps for LV fueling. (1748Z)

Kirk Pysher ‏@ELUS_COO
MD has authorized the Rocket Segment to proceed with loading propellants. (1827Z)

Kirk Pysher ‏@ELUS_COO
Zenit 2S is being loaded with liquid oxygen at this time in support of @Eutelsat_SA 70B mission (1838Z)

[Galactic Penguin SST]

Kirk Pysher ‏@ELUS_COO
Final weather briefing for launch completed all criteria are GO for launch of @Eutelsat_SA 70B

Kirk Pysher ‏@ELUS_COO
@Eutlesat_SA 70B mission 1 hour readiness confirmed by Mission Director Dr. Valery Aliev

Kirk Pysher ‏@ELUS_COO
Systems are nominal, ILV being loaded with LOx , working no issues in support of @Eutelsat_SA 70B

[Chris Bergin]

About 10 mins to the webcast. I miss their Sea Launch jazz.

[Prober]

About 10 mins to the webcast. I miss their Sea Launch jazz.

this should be a real treat with a daytime launch.

[Galactic Penguin SST]

Kirk Pysher ‏@ELUS_COO
Mission Director completes readiness poll for final clearance to launch @Eutelsat_SA 70B

Kirk Pysher ‏@ELUS_COO
30 minute readiness confirmed for @Eutelsat_SA 70B mission

Kirk Pysher ‏@ELUS_COO
Loading of Block DM-SL upper stage LOx is complete in support of Eutelsat_SA 70B

About 10 mins to the webcast. I miss their Sea Launch jazz.

Would love to hear what it actually is! (I didn't ever have any intention of watching any launch live until STS-125 (try 2)!)

[Satori]

[Chris Bergin]

Awesome webcast guy again!

[Satori]

[Satori]

[pippin]

Sea Launch again!

Nostalgia since Sea Launch coverage is what originally brought me to this site!

[Chris Bergin]

Brent Allen is his name. Best voice on the internet.

Erector Arm retract.

[Satori]

[Chris Bergin]

RSC Energia big boss.

[Satori]

[Satori]

[Chris Bergin]

T-10 mins.

Thanks for the screenshots Rui!

[Prober]

[Galactic Penguin SST]

Eutelsat 70B will replace Eutelsat W5, launched just over 10 years ago on the very first Delta IV (2002-11-20)! 

[Chris Bergin]

Transporter arm being retracted into the hanger.

[Satori]

[Satori]

[Prober]

[Satori]

[Satori]

[Chris Bergin]

T-4 mins.

[Satori]

Hangar doors are now closed!

[Chris Bergin]

T-3 mins. Polling for launch.

[Satori]

[Chris Bergin]

Internal power. Go for Launch.

[Satori]

[Prober]

[Satori]

[Chris Bergin]

T-60 seconds.

[Satori]

[Chris Bergin]

LAUNCH!!

[Satori]

[Chris Bergin]

Pitch and roll. Nominal so far.

[Chris Bergin]

MaxQ.

[Satori]

[Chris Bergin]

.237 for the exact launch time.

[Prober]

[Satori]

[Satori]

.237 for the exact launch time.

[Satori]

[Chris Bergin]

Staging.

1-2 Sep.

Second stage ignition.

[Satori]

Flight nominal...

[Galactic Penguin SST]

.237 for the exact launch time.

And they launched 4 seconds late: 20:43:59.237 UTC. 

[Satori]

[Prober]

great graphics..

[Satori]

Nominal flight... all good so far...

[ChrisC]

Staging.  1-2 Sep.  Second stage ignition.

I really they hadn't switched away from the live camera to the graphic JUST AS they were about to go through staging.  It was dim and blurry but definitely would have been visible.

great graphics..

If you are being sarcastic, I agree

No live data like on a US EELV launch.  Limited access I guess due to the private launcher.

[Prober]

[Chris Bergin]

Staging.

2-3 Sep.

On to the Block DM.

[Prober]

[Chris Bergin]

Into the coast phase for 36 mins.

[Prober]

[input~2]

[Prober]

[jcm]

So far so good! Planned MECO-1 orbit was 180 x 1553 km

Hey, I'm going to be in Long Beach in January for the American Astronomical Society meeting - anyone at Sea Launch want to give me a tour of their stuff?

[Prober]

Nice fill in pics...

[Chris Bergin]

Well it's not Sea Launch Jazz, but it's coast music!

[Mapperuo]

it's coast music!

No complaints here. 

[Prober]

only mins till the next block DM burn

[Chris Bergin]

Second burn underway.

[Prober]

nice pic of the payload

[Prober]

[Chris Bergin]

There's the shutdown. Nine mins to S/C Sep.

[Prober]

[Chris Bergin]

S/C Sep. Another good one for Sea Launch! Congrats to all involved!

[Prober]

[Galactic Penguin SST]

Next Sea Launch mission just around the corner: launch of Intelsat 27 in late January!

[Adonis1]

[jacqmans]

Liftoff was at precisely 20:43:59.237 UTC, four seconds into a 54-minute launch window. With that, Eutelsat 70B was sent on its way, starting a 15-year mission of providing communications services from Geostationary Transfer Orbit.

This marked the 34th Sea Launch Mission since 1999 and the third flight of 2012, all three being successful. The next Sea Launch mission is planned for January 2013 and will deliver the Intelsat 27 Communications Satellite to Orbit.

Credit Space Flight 101 / Sea Launch

[Chris Bergin]

Article updated with quotes:

http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2012/12/sea-launch-zenit-3sl-launch-eutelsat-70b/

Image from the presser:

[Galactic Penguin SST]

And they launched 4 seconds late: 20:43:59.237 UTC. 

Somebody explained at NK that 20:43:55 is the engine start time as opposed to liftoff, but that begs the explanation of why the hold down time is twice as long as that on the Atlas V....

[woods170]

And they launched 4 seconds late: 20:43:59.237 UTC. 

Somebody explained at NK that 20:43:55 is the engine start time as opposed to liftoff, but that begs the explanation of why the hold down time is twice as long as that on the Atlas V....

No it doesn't. This is a different launcher. You can't compare the operation of Zenit to that of an Atlas V. Apples to Oranges.

[anik]

Somebody explained at NK that 20:43:55 is the engine start time as opposed to liftoff

It is not engine start time, it is finish time of exact positioning of an inertially stabilized platform of control system of Zenit-2S rocket.