FAILURE: Sea Launch - Intelsat 27 - February 1, 2013 (0656UTC)

[Salo]

Sea Launch on Track to Loft Intelsat 27

BERN, Switzerland, October 30, 2012 — Sea Launch AG, through Energia Logistics Ltd., has conducted a Hardware Acceptance Review of the Zenit-2S launch vehicle to be utilized in support of the Intelsat 27 mission. 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 36 vehicle and found that all required acceptance test values were within specification.

The Condock-IV sea-based transport vessel carrying the Zenit-2S launch vehicle designated for Intelsat 27 departed the port at Oktyabrsky, Ukraine on October 28, 2012 and is scheduled to arrive pier-side at Sea Launch’s Home Port facility in Long Beach, California on December 7, 2012. The Block DM-SL upper stage designated for Intelsat 27, provided by RSC Energia, was shipped to Home Port earlier this year and the Payload Accommodations, provided by Boeing Commercial Space Company, will arrive on December 5th. The Intelsat 27 satellite is planned for launch in late January 2013.

Built by Boeing Satellite Systems Inc., Intelsat 27 will weigh approximately 6,203 kilograms (13,675 lbs.) at launch. It is expected to arrive at the Sea Launch facility in early December in preparation for the start of standalone and combined spacecraft operations.

About Sea Launch AG

Sea Launch AG, headquartered in Bern, Switzerland, provides launch solutions to the industry's satellite operator community based on the Zenit launch system. These services include the provision of all-inclusive launch services incorporating schedule assurance, financing, risk management; insurance and creative contracting solutions to meet the changing demands of the commercial launch market. Sea Launch AG owns and manages the primary technology, patent and other intellectual property and tangible assets of the company. These include the launch platform Odyssey and the Sea Launch Commander vessels located in the Home Port facility in Long Beach, California, and the unique know-how associated with launching satellites from an ocean-based launch platform located directly on the equator. The Sea Launch system offers the most direct and cost-effective route to geostationary orbit for commercial communications satellites, providing diversity of supply, affordability and flexibility for the industry's satellite operators. For more information, please visit the Sea Launch website at: www.sea-launch.com .

http://www.sea-launch.com/news_releases/2012/nr_121030.html

[jacqmans]

Boeing Ships 3rd Intelsat 702MP Satellite for Launch

Intelsat 27 arrives at Sea Launch home port

Deliveries of Medium Power satellites continue on or ahead of schedule

 
EL SEGUNDO, Calif., Dec. 18, 2012 -- The third of four 702 Medium Power (MP) satellites that Boeing [NYSE: BA] is manufacturing for Intelsat S.A., the world's leading provider of satellite services, arrived at the Long Beach, Calif., home port of launch provider Sea Launch on Nov. 28. Scheduled for launch in the first quarter of 2013, Intelsat 27 is designed to provide media, network and government communications services that will span North America, South America and Europe.
 
"By working together with Intelsat and building on the 702MP’s flexible, modular design, we have tailored each satellite to offer the specific capabilities required while delivering them on or ahead of schedule," said Craig Cooning, chief executive officer of Boeing Satellite Systems International and vice president and general manager of Boeing Space & Intelligence Systems.
 
Boeing introduced the 702MP line of satellites in 2009 in response to customers' need for spacecraft with 6 to 12 kilowatts of power. The approximately 12,000-pound (5,450-kilogram) Intelsat 27 spacecraft is designed to provide 15 or more years of service. As part of Intelsat’s fleet replacement and expansion plans, Intelsat 27 will be located at 304.5 degrees east longitude and will replace Intelsat 805 and Galaxy 11. The satellite will complete Intelsat's global broadband mobility platform, which will consist of 10 beams on seven satellites. Intelsat 27 is also augmented with a UHF hosted payload for use in government applications. In addition, the satellite will provide direct-to-home and video distribution services.
 
After undergoing preflight checkout at Sea Launch home port, Intelsat 27 will be transported by ship to a location in the South Pacific Ocean for liftoff aboard a Zenit-2S rocket, becoming the second 702MP to be launched by Sea Launch. It will enter service in geosynchronous orbit above Latin America.
 
http://boeing.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=43&item=2534

[satlaunch]

http://blog.intelsat.com/2012/12/is-27-fueling-operations.html
19 December 2012

The Intelsat 27 launch campaign is progressing very well. The Boeing team has completed all of its standalone testing, which verifies the integrity of the satellite. Now that these tests have been confirmed to Intelsat, we are ready to go to the next phase of the operations; satellite fueling.

We have now started fueling operations, which loads approximately 3,500 pounds of oxidizer, a highly corrosive and hazardous component. This oxidizer when mixed with the satellite fuel forms a powerful form of propulsion. The satellite needs powerful propulsion for satellite orbit raising once we are dropped off by the Sea Launch rocket.

[Adonis1]

27 December 2012
IS-27 Progressing Toward Launch

The Intelsat 27 launch campaign is going very smoothly at the Sea Launch Home Port in Long Beach, CA. Boeing has completed all electrical and mechanical testing of the satellite. After the successful completion of testing, approximately 7,500 lbs. of satellite propellants were loaded onto the satellite. This fuel will be used for orbit raising and station keeping.

The Zenit launch vehicle arrived from its 45-day journey from the Ukraine to Long Beach aboard the cargo ship, Condock IV. It was offloaded and loaded on the Sea Launch Assembly and Command Ship (ACS). The ACS acts as a mobile launch vehicle processing facility. The Ukrainian and Russian teams are working the preprocessing of the rocket and upper stage.

http://blog.intelsat.com/

[Prober]

27 December 2012
IS-27 Progressing Toward Launch

The Intelsat 27 launch campaign is going very smoothly at the Sea Launch Home Port in Long Beach, CA. Boeing has completed all electrical and mechanical testing of the satellite. After the successful completion of testing, approximately 7,500 lbs. of satellite propellants were loaded onto the satellite. This fuel will be used for orbit raising and station keeping.

The Zenit launch vehicle arrived from its 45-day journey from the Ukraine to Long Beach aboard the cargo ship, Condock IV. It was offloaded and loaded on the Sea Launch Assembly and Command Ship (ACS). The ACS acts as a mobile launch vehicle processing facility. The Ukrainian and Russian teams are working the preprocessing of the rocket and upper stage.

http://blog.intelsat.com/

pic of off load..

[russianhalo117]

Thread title needs to be changed to reflect launch date listed by Salo.
2013:
Date – Satellite(s) – Zenit type/Upper Stage – Organization – Time (UTC)
January 31 - Intelsat 27 - 3SL/DM-SL - SL - TBD

[Adonis1]

04 January 2013
Launch Milestone

On Jan. 2, we reached a major milestone for the Intelsat 27 launch campaign - we began combined operations.  The satellite has now been mated to the launch vehicle adapter. Boeing successfully lifted the fully fueled satellite, and the Sea Launch technicians tightened the clamp band which holds the satellite onto the adapter. Once on orbit this clamp band will release via a pyrotechnic device, allowing the springs to push the satellite away from the upper stage.

Watch a video of the satellite being moved on air bearings.



http://blog.intelsat.com/

[Salo]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/hsc601/8380893050/in/photostream/

Sea Launch Intelsat 27 at Long Beach Home Port 1

Sea Launch Zenit-3SL launch vehicle with the Boeing 702MP Intelsat 27 attached is rolled out on the Sea Launch launch platform Odyssey final testing before departing for it's sea launch site at 154 degrees West Longitude at the equator (lattitude). Launch is scheduled for January 30, 2013. (01/13/13)

Sea Launch Intelsat 27 at Long Beach Home Port 7

Sea Launch Zenit-3SL launch vehicle with the Boeing 702MP Intelsat 27 attached in full launch position on the Sea Launch launch platform Odyssey. The vehicle is undergoing final testing before departing for it's sea launch site at 154 degrees West Longitude at the equator (lattitude). Launch is scheduled for January 30, 2013. Next to the launch platform is the Sea Launch Commander ship. (01/13/13)

[Salo]

http://blog.intelsat.com/2013/01/satellite-safety.html

09 January 2013

Satellite Safety

So how safe is it to stand next to a 13,800-pound satellite loaded with explosive satellite fuels?  The Intelsat 27 satellite (pictured) is in the horizontal position being readied for insertion into the fairing.  All that is holding the satellite to the launch vehicle adapter is a 47-inch diameter separation clamp band, which pinches two flanges together with very high force.  Since the clamp is flight-proven and designed to hold the satellite during liftoff and ascent, the satellite is secure.  Currently, the launch team is conducting final inspections prior to putting Intelsat 27 into the fairing.

Contributor: Brian Sing, Intelsat’s senior program manager for space systems acquisition

Posted by Jules Trapp at 7:28 AM

http://blog.intelsat.com/2013/01/roll-out.html

10 January 2013

Roll Out

Yesterday was an important day at the Sea Launch Home Port.  The Intelsat 27 satellite is now secure in the payload processing facility. The satellite was recently rolled out of the building to the Assembly Command Ship (ACS), located about a quarter-mile away.  With the use of highly specialized equipment, the satellite was moved onto the rails of the ACS and to the front of the Sea Launch Zenit 3SL rocket.  Tomorrow, the rocket segment personnel will validate the interfaces and begin the process of attaching the satellite to the rocket.

Contributor: Brian Sing, Intelsat’s senior program manager for space systems acquisition

Posted by Jules Trapp at 2:43 PM

[Salo]

http://blog.intelsat.com/2013/01/rocket-transfer.html

14 January 2013

Rocket Transfer

Over the weekend, Intelsat 27 was transferred from the command ship to the launch platform.  The transfer took the rocket roughly 125 feet above the water line to the top of the hanger on the platform.  The next day, the rocket was erected onto the launch pad.  Once this occurred, the team ran a complete validation of their launch software, with an independent review in Moscow.  In parallel, Boeing Satellite Systems powered up the satellite and ran the launch day procedure.  If everything is functional,  the rocket will be stowed on Monday, Jan. 14, and the launch platform will depart early Tuesday.

Contributor: Brian Sing, Intelsat’s senior program manager for space systems acquisition

Posted by Jules Trapp at 10:18 AM

[anik]

Odyssey launch platform has departed Long Beach yesterday, Sea Launch Commander ship will depart on January 19th.

[Salo]

15 January 2013
Rocket Signing

The Intelsat 27 launch team gathered for the rocket signing ceremony, which traditionally occurs after the fairing and satellite are mated to the rocket. With Intelsat 27 now encapsulated, the team and several customers came together to sign the base of the rocket, near the main engines. Several key customers, including Panasonic and Gogo, were in attendance.

Posted by Jules Trapp at 10:17 AM

http://blog.intelsat.com/2013/01/rocket-signing.html

[Salo]

16 January 2013
Head Start

This morning, the launch platform (LP) Odyssey left Long Beach on its way to the equator (between Hawaii and Tahiti). It was a gorgeous sight and the weather was perfect. Since the LP only travels at 10 knots, we let it get a head start. On Saturday, Jan. 19, the Assembly and Command Ship (ACS), which travels at about 20 knots, will depart. The ACS should be able to catch up to the LP by the following Wednesday if all goes well. We will then travel in tandem to the launch site. Once we arrive, we start the L-72 countdown.

To get a feel for how large the LP is, take a look at the crew member (in blue overalls) standing on the pontoon.

Contributor: Brian Sing, Intelsat’s senior program manager for space systems acquisition
Posted by Jules Trapp at 3:39 PM

http://blog.intelsat.com/2013/01/head-start.html

[jacqmans]

Odyssey launch platform has departed Long Beach yesterday, Sea Launch Commander ship will depart on January 19th.

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

[Salo]

20 January 2013
Bon Voyage

 The Intelsat 27 launch campaign is now fully on its way to the launch site. At precisely 10:00 AM on January 19, the Assembly Command Ship pulled away from the dock. With the Intelsat banner proudly displayed on the railing, the team waves farewell to Long Beach for a trip to the equator.

 Contributor: Brian Sing, Intelsat’s senior program manager for space systems acquisition
 Posted by Jules Trapp  at 11:15 PM

http://blog.intelsat.com/2013/01/bon-voyage.html

[anik]

As per http://msdb.gsfc.nasa.gov/change_log.php, the launch is postponed by one day.

[Salo]

Sea Launch Prepares for the Launch of Intelsat 27

Bern, Switzerland, January 21, 2013 – The Sea Launch vessels have departed Sea Launch Home Port in Long Beach, Calif., for the equator, in preparation for the launch of the Intelsat 27 satellite.  Liftoff is scheduled for 22:56 Pacific Standard Time on January 30, 2013 (06:56 UTC, on January 31st) at the opening of the 58-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 up range of the platform.

On launch day, the Zenit-3SL vehicle will lift the 6,215-kilogram (13,702 lbs.) Intelsat 27 spacecraft into geosynchronous transfer orbit.  Based on the Boeing 702MP platform, Intelsat 27 is designed to provide 15 or more years of satellite service. The satellite will support customers in North America, South America, the Atlantic Ocean region and Europe, and will host a UHF communications payload for use in military applications.  The launch will mark Intelsat's completion of the world's first global broadband mobility platform, which will provide uninterrupted connectivity to customers at sea, on land and in the air.
 
 Intelsat 27 will be located at the 304.5 degrees East orbital position currently occupied by Intelsat 805 and Galaxy 11.

About Sea Launch AG

 Sea Launch AG, headquartered in Bern, Switzerland, provides launch solutions to the industry's satellite operator community based on the Zenit launch system. These services include the provision of all–inclusive launch services incorporating schedule assurance, financing, risk management; insurance and creative contracting solutions to meet the changing demands of the commercial launch market. Sea Launch AG owns and manages the primary technology, patent and other intellectual property and tangible assets of the company. These include the launch platform Odyssey and the Sea Launch Commander vessels located in the Home Port facility in Long Beach, California, and the unique know–how associated with launching satellites from an ocean–based launch platform located directly on the equator.  The Sea Launch system offers the most direct and cost-effective route to geostationary orbit for commercial communications satellites, providing diversity of supply, affordability and flexibility for the industry's satellite operators. For more information, please visit the Sea Launch website at: www.sea-launch.com.

http://www.sea-launch.com/news_releases/2013/nr_130121.html

[anik]

The launch is planned at 06:55:59 UTC on February 1st.

[Galactic Penguin SST]

While the company haven't change the launch date yet (maybe it's in flux and depend on the time needed to reach the designated equator spot?), looks like they have just revamped their company website, and it looks spectacular! 

[Galactic Penguin SST]

The launch is planned at 06:55:59 UTC on February 1st.

I have my doubts on the one day slip: this NOTAM issued 15 hours ago does not show a delay for the launch.

A0026/13 - DUE TO SEA LAUNCH WITHIN: AREA BOUNDED BY: 0012N14610W 0012S14610W 0012S14825W 0012N14825W 0012N14610W AND AREA BOUNDED BY: 0020N14330W 0020S14330W 0020S14620W 0020N14620W 0020N14330W THOSE AREAS ARE DANGEROUS ZONES DURING ACTIVITY ATS ROUTE B454 NOT AVAILABLE. SFC - UNL, 31 JAN 06:10 2013 UNTIL 31 JAN 08:30 2013. CREATED: 25 JAN 18:22 2013