Sea Launch Determined to Return to Flight

[jacqmans]

JOINT PRESS RELEASE

By Sea Launch AG, RSC Energia, NPO Energomash, Yuzhnoye and Yuzhmash


Remaining on a firm course to continue operations of the Sea Launch system

February 6, 2013 - Following the unsuccessful launch of the Intelsat 27 spacecraft on February 1, 2013, participants in and partners of the Sea Launch program are showing their sincere regret to Intelsat about the loss of their spacecraft and are taking all necessary measures to investigate the incident, develop and implement measures directed at increasing the reliability of the launch system.

Investigation of the incident is occurring under the control of the Russian and Ukrainian government. Several failure review boards have been formed including a Russian-Ukrainian committee, as well as committees created at Roscosmos, Sea Launch AG, RSC Energia, Energomash, Yuzhnoye and Yuzhmash in addition to other companies that participate in the launch operations. The committees are aiming to determine the root cause of the incident, develop corrective actions and return to flight as soon as possible.

The foundation of development and operation of the Sea Launch system is dependent upon the cooperation of companies and enterprises from several different countries aimed at utilizing and developing innovative technologies used in aerospace to provide launch services. Sea Launch is a reliable modern launch system that has been providing services to the leading satellite operators of the world for over 12 years.  Participants and partners of the Sea Launch program affirm their commitment to the program and are determined to ensure a quick return to flight.  All interested customers will continue to be engaged in ongoing projects with Sea Launch and development of its prospects. 

[jacqmans]

RSC Energia Pledges Support for Sea Launch


In response to launch failure of Intelsat 27 spacecraft on February 1, 2013
 
MOSCOW, Russia and BERN, Switzerland – February 6, 2013 – S.P. Korolev Rocket and Space Corporation “Energia” (“RSC Energia”) spoke out today about its unfailing commitment to the long-term success of the Sea Launch program following the launch failure of Intelsat 27 spacecraft on February 1, 2013. RSC Energia has been the leader and the operator of the Sea Launch program since 2010.

In a statement, the General Designer and the President of RSC Energia, Vitaly Lopota said:  “We profoundly regret about the last week’s loss of the Intelsat 27 spacecraft. Many people worked hard to build the spacecraft, the launch vehicle and support the launch campaign. As we have been working in the space industry for over 65 years we continuously strive for perfection and reliability in everything that we attempt, but sometimes we fall short. The ocean-based launch system, Zenit launch vehicle and upper stage Block DM are a trusted means of payload delivery which combines the best in rocket-building technology and processes of recent decades. The launch failure is being investigated and analyzed. Its findings will be announced in the near future.”       

Lopota stated “In conjunction with the participants of this program and various interested parties from the business community, we are in the process of creating a strategy that will ensure the long-term viability of the Sea Launch system as well as provide for evolutionary improvements to its performance. We remain confident that the Sea Launch program will continue to remain a key launch service provider to the world’s spacecraft operator community for years to come.”  Lopota continued “I urge all current and potential customers of Sea Launch to be patient, recognizing the strategic importance of launch vehicle diversity to their own business. We can assure you that Sea Launch will continue to launch our customer’s spacecraft on schedule, reliably and with a high level of injection accuracy.” 

[Ben the Space Brit]

Given the scale of their debts and the impending legal action, they probably don't have any choice but to try.  However, I think a lot of people will need guarantees about future Zenit reliability before they're willing to take the risk.

[docmordrid]

That's assuming it, or just. the platform, doesn't get sold first.

[SIM city]

In order to return to flight, you need to have missions on the manifest.  The only order they have is for a backup option in 2014.  Do they have the $50M in cash to maintain operations for a year until a backup option may or may not get exercised?   

[Danderman]

Without a commitment from Roskosmos or someone else with deep pockets, it would be very difficult for Energia to keep this going.

The question is whether Land Launch is done, too.

[Prober]

Without a commitment from Roskosmos or someone else with deep pockets, it would be very difficult for Energia to keep this going.

The question is whether Land Launch is done, too.

very confusing info coming out of Russia etc.   Is it possible that Land Launch has new partners?
 

[SIM city]

Without a commitment from Roskosmos or someone else with deep pockets, it would be very difficult for Energia to keep this going.

The question is whether Land Launch is done, too.

very confusing info coming out of Russia etc.   Is it possible that Land Launch has new partners?
 

Kazakhstan.  They're getting them to pay for maintenance of the pad the Russians rarely use under "Baiterek"

[russianhalo117]

Without a commitment from Roskosmos or someone else with deep pockets, it would be very difficult for Energia to keep this going.

The question is whether Land Launch is done, too.

very confusing info coming out of Russia etc.   Is it possible that Land Launch has new partners?

Kazakhstan.  They're getting them to pay for maintenance of the pad the Russians rarely use under "Baiterek"

Land Launch is currently controlled since bankruptcy by Russian organization SIS.
AFAIK Baiterek is completely different treaty program and Land Launch (Zenit) complex 45/1 and 45/2 are presently governed by a different treaty program that is unrelated to the Baiterek treaty program since Zenit treaty program predates newer Baiterek treaty program. That is the case solved unless they have since been merged through a new treaty program that involves the CIS States of Ukraine, Russia, and Kazakhstan.

[sdsds]

I think there's at least one satellite under construction that could be launched by Sea Launch. Ironically it is Intelsat 29e, which like IS-21, -22, and the ill-fated -27 is based on the Boeing 702MP bus.

Given the desire to keep the Sea Launch operation financially "afloat" its owners could conceivably afford to sell Intelsat the return-to-flight mission at less than cost....

[russianhalo117]

I think there's at least one satellite under construction that could be launched by Sea Launch. Ironically it is Intelsat 29e, which like IS-21, -22, and the ill-fated -27 is based on the Boeing 702MP bus.

Given the desire to keep the Sea Launch operation financially "afloat" its owners could conceivably afford to sell Intelsat the return-to-flight mission at less than cost....

Who do you think will pay the Zenit subsidy for this flight that you are proposing. Pretty much only two reasons why Russia still flies occasionally on Zenit, 1) repeated Proton-M/Briz-M (and Blok DM-03) failures 2) Kazakhstan increasingly limiting number of flights on other launchers unless payed additional monies to reduce the annually recurring limits.

[sdsds]

Who do you think will pay the Zenit subsidy for this flight

I don't know. What is the size of that subsidy, compared with the total cost associated with a SL return to flight?