Author Topic: LIVE: Proton-M/Briz-M launch with SES-6 satellite - June 3, 2013 (Read 43939 times)

anik · « **on:** 04/30/2013 01:53 pm »

http://www.interfax.ru/news.asp?id=304723

Briz-M upper stage was delivered to Baikonur cosmodrome today.

russianhalo117 · « **Reply #1 on:** 05/01/2013 07:04 pm »

LINK: http://www.khrunichev.ru/main.php?id=1&nid=2797

Пресс-релизы
Разгонный блок «Бриз-М» для запуска спутника связи «СЭС-6» доставлен на Байконур
30.04.2013
Разгонный блок «Бриз-М», который будет использоваться в составе ракеты космического назначения «Протон-М» для выведения на орбиту спутника связи SES-6, доставлен на космодром Байконур для подготовки к запуску.

Транспортный самолет АН-124-100 «Руслан» российской авиакомпании «Полет» с разгонным блоком на борту приземлился на аэродроме «Юбилейный» космодрома во вторник утром 30 апреля.
Контейнер с разгонным блоком перевезен в монтажно-испытательный корпус площадки 92А-50 космодрома, где «Бриз-М» будет проходить подготовку к предстоящему запуску.

Контракт на запуск космического аппарата SES-6 («СЭС-6») с помощью ракеты-носителя «Протон-М» заключило российско-американским предприятием International Launch Services Inc. (ILS).

Телекоммуникационный спутник SES-6 (с массой около 6 тон) изготовила компания Astrium по заказу оператора спутниковой связи SES (Euronext Paris and Luxembourg Stock Exchange: SESG).

Прибытие космического аппарата на космодром ожидается в начале мая.

Artyom. · « **Reply #2 on:** 05/03/2013 05:34 am »

Quote

SES-6 spacecraft being loading in the transport container at Astrium Toulouse facilities.

https://twitter.com/SES_Satellites/status/330070184436043778/photo/1

Artyom. · « **Reply #3 on:** 05/06/2013 10:41 am »

SES-6 satellite was delivered to Baikonur cosmodrome.

http://www.khrunichev.ru/main.php?id=1&nid=2799 (on Russian)

Adonis1 · « **Reply #4 on:** 05/14/2013 05:20 pm »

SES 6 launch poster

Stan Black · « **Reply #5 on:** 05/22/2013 06:22 pm »

Mission overview
http://www.ilslaunch.com/sites/default/files/pdf/SES-6%20MO.pdf

owais.usmani · « **Reply #6 on:** 05/23/2013 06:05 am »

Separation after 15 hours 31 minutes!!!

Is this the longest ILS mission ever?

anik · « **Reply #7 on:** 05/23/2013 06:13 am »

Quote from: owais.usmani on 05/23/2013 06:05 am

Separation after 15 hours 31 minutes!!! Is this the longest ILS mission ever?

The same was with Intelsat 22 in March 2012.

Artyom. · « **Reply #8 on:** 05/28/2013 10:10 am »

Launcher integration is complete and the Proton-M rocket has moved to the Breeze-M fueling station.
http://www.khrunichev.ru/main.php?id=1&nid=2823 (on Russian)

Artyom. · « **Reply #9 on:** 05/30/2013 06:55 am »

Proton-M rocket was transported to the launch pad today.
http://www.khrunichev.ru/main.php?id=1&nid=2827 (on Russian)

Artyom. · « **Reply #10 on:** 05/30/2013 10:55 am »

http://www.federalspace.ru/

Satori · « **Reply #11 on:** 05/30/2013 01:12 pm »

A few more images from TsENKI at http://www.tsenki.com/news/

Adonis1 · « **Reply #12 on:** 05/30/2013 04:24 pm »

MEDIA ADVISORY: ILS PROTON TO LAUNCH SES-6
Reston, VA – May 29, 2013
Payload:
SES-6 communications satellite
E3000 Platform
Separated spacecraft mass: 6,100 kg
Launch Vehicle:
Proton M/Breeze M
705,000 kg (1,554,000 lbs), including payload
56.2 m (184 ft)
Launch Date:
June 3, 2013
Launch Time:
15:18:31 Baikonur
13:18:31 Moscow
11:18:31 Luxembourg
09:18:31 GMT
05:18:31 EDT
Launch Site:
Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan
Launch Pad 39
Launch Customer:
SES, Luxembourg
Satellite Manufacturer:
Astrium, France
Launch Vehicle Manufacturer:
Khrunichev State Research and Production Space Center, Russia
Launch Services Provider:
International Launch Services, USA
Satellite Use:
SES-6 is a multipurpose satellite built by Astrium and will be replacing NSS-806 at 319.5° east to provide significant capacity expansion over North America, Latin America and the Caribbean, Europe, and Atlantic Ocean region. The satellite’s expanded Ku-band payload will support DTH platforms, VSAT services and government digital inclusion programs throughout Latin America. The C-band payload will add incremental capacity to support channel growth at this key cable neighborhood.
Satellite Statistics:
__43 C-band 36 MHz equivalent transponders
__48 Ku-band 36 MHz equivalent transponders
__Planned orbital location: 319.5° east longitude
__Anticipated service life: 15 years
Mission Profile:
The Proton M launch vehicle, utilizing a 5-burn Breeze M mission design, will lift off from Pad 39 at Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan, with the SES-6 satellite on board. The first three stages of the Proton will use a standard ascent profile to place the orbital unit (Breeze M Upper Stage and the SES-6 satellite) into a sub-orbital trajectory. From this point in the mission, the Breeze M will perform planned mission maneuvers to advance the orbital unit first to a circular parking orbit, then to an intermediate orbit, followed by a transfer orbit, and finally to a super-synchronous transfer orbit. Separation of the SES-6 satellite is scheduled to occur approximately 15 hours, 31 minutes after liftoff.
Target Orbit at Separation:
Perigee: 4,482km
Apogee: 65,000 km
Inclination: 26.3 degrees
Spacecraft Separation:
Approximately 15 hours, 31 minutes after liftoff
ILS Mission Statistics:
_4th ILS Proton Launch in 2013
_81st ILS Proton Launch Overall
_22nd SES Satellite Launched on ILS Proton
_16th Astrium Satellite Launched on Proton
_2nd Commercial SSTO Mission for Proton
Live Broadcast:
Live Coverage starting at 05:00 EDT/ 09:00 GMT
Launch is scheduled for 05:18 EDT/ 09:18 GMT
Broadcast concludes no later than 06:00 EDT/ 10:00 GMT
Webcast stream seen can be seen at:
http://ses6.imgondemand.com/
Satellite Test Signals:
HD test for US/AMC-9 will begin at 0430 Eastern
Live test for Europe/Baikonur will begin at 0430 Eastern/0830 GMT

In Baikonur and Europe, the Launch Broadcast will be seen on the following (HD):
EUTELSAT 10A (EX W2A) 10 degrees East TXP C05 CHANNEL 36MHZ (Select Service 1 from the menu – SVC01)
Uplink Frequency: 13104.17 MHZ POL X BY MOD3/4 10A C05 UP
Downlink Frequency: 11304.17 MHZ POL Y
HD 1080i 50Hz DVBS2 8PSK 30.0Ms/s FEC 5/6,
P RoF 0.2 (72_MUX MPEG4/H264 420 72.669 Mbps)
AUDIO: 1 SOUND MONO
AUDIO: 2 SOUND MONO
PIDs
Video 512
Audio 1 4112
Audio 2 4128
Approx: 21 Mbps for the service.
In the US, the Launch Broadcast will be seen on the following (HD):
AMC-9, transponder C10, channel C10A
83 degrees West
18 mhz.
Uplink Frequency – 6,116.000 / Horizontal
Downlink Frequency – 3,891.000 Vertical
1080i QPSK
FEC: 3/4
Symbol rate: 13.333, DVB – S, MPEG2 HD 4:2:0
More Information:
Live streaming will begin approximately 20 minutes before liftoff. General mission information and launch status updates are available at www.ilslaunch.com. You can also follow us on Twitter and “like” us on Facebook for mission updates.

http://www.ilslaunch.com/newsroom/news-releases/media-advisory-ils-proton-launch-ses-6

Artyom. · « **Reply #13 on:** 05/31/2013 07:57 am »

Roscosmos video of roll-out:

Artyom. · « **Reply #14 on:** 05/31/2013 08:00 am »

Khrunichev information about the launch:
http://coopi.khrunichev.ru/main.php?id=649

input~2 · « **Reply #15 on:** 05/31/2013 07:51 pm »

NOTAM for Proton 3rd stage debris

Quote

A2307/13 - QRDCA THE RUSSIAN FEDERAL SPACE AGENCY HAS PLANNED A MISSILE LAUNCH. DEBRIS FROM THIS LAUNCH WILL FALL WITHIN AN AREA BOUNDED BY 2515N/16000E 2600N/16045E 2330N/16335E 2245N/16248E BACK TO THE POINT OF ORIGIN. IN THE INTEREST OF SAFETY ALL NON-PARTICIPATING AIR TRAFFIC ARE ADVISED TO AVOID THE NOTAMED AREA. IFR AIRCRAFT UNDER ATC JURISDICTION SHOULD ANTICIPATE CLEARANCE AROUND THE NOTAMED AREA. SFC - UNL, 0900-1030Z DAILY, 03 JUN 09:00 2013 UNTIL 06 JUN 10:30 2013. CREATED: 31 MAY 13:34 2013

input~2 · « **Reply #16 on:** 05/31/2013 08:03 pm »

This could be a NOTAM intended for Proton 2nd stage and fairing debris, only the start date is 24h late...

Quote

P2548/13 - ATS RTE SEGMENTS CLSD: A814 ARNUL-LANBI, B206 ARNUL-AKTAS, G489 TELRU-AKTAS. SFC - UNL, DAILY 0900-1000, 04 JUN 09:00 2013 UNTIL 06 JUN 10:00 2013. CREATED: 31 MAY 09:43 2013

Lewis007 · « **Reply #17 on:** 06/02/2013 07:37 am »

Some pictures of the SES-6 launch processing can be found on the facebook page of SES.

https://www.facebook.com/SES.YourSatelliteCompany/photos_stream

input~2 · « **Reply #18 on:** 06/02/2013 02:32 pm »

NOTAM for 1st stage debris

Quote

K0269/13 - ATS ROUTE SEGMENTS CLSD: 1.A113 TIROK-GISIR FROM 25 TO 65KM 2.B822 LUGER-BETIK FROM 35 TO 75KM. SFC - UNL, DAILY 0900/1000, 03 JUN 09:00 2013 UNTIL 05 JUN 10:00 2013. CREATED: 01 JUN 17:05 2013

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #19 on:** 06/02/2013 10:15 pm »

Moved for live coverage

sdsds · « **Reply #20 on:** 06/03/2013 01:18 am »

Eight hours to launch!

Artyom. · « **Reply #21 on:** 06/03/2013 04:27 am »

State commission has given "go" for a fuelling of Proton-M rocket.
http://www.khrunichev.ru/main.php?id=1&nid=2828 (on Russian)

Artyom. · « **Reply #22 on:** 06/03/2013 07:18 am »

2 hours for launch...

owais.usmani · « **Reply #23 on:** 06/03/2013 07:55 am »

Finally a daytime launch! Thank God

I hate night launches!

Artyom. · « **Reply #24 on:** 06/03/2013 08:18 am »

Quote from: owais.usmani on 06/03/2013 07:55 am

Finally a daytime launch! Thank God

That's for sure

!

60 minutes for launch...

Satori · « **Reply #25 on:** 06/03/2013 08:20 am »

Khrunichev webcast is on...

Satori · « **Reply #26 on:** 06/03/2013 08:21 am »

...and also TsENKI.

Artyom. · « **Reply #27 on:** 06/03/2013 08:22 am »

And TsENKI webcast

.

Satori · « **Reply #28 on:** 06/03/2013 08:29 am »

50 minutes for launch...

Artyom. · « **Reply #29 on:** 06/03/2013 08:29 am »

Artyom. · « **Reply #30 on:** 06/03/2013 08:31 am »

Satori · « **Reply #31 on:** 06/03/2013 08:31 am »

Artyom. · « **Reply #32 on:** 06/03/2013 08:38 am »

T-40 mins

Artyom. · « **Reply #33 on:** 06/03/2013 08:48 am »

T-30 mins

Artyom. · « **Reply #34 on:** 06/03/2013 08:50 am »

Artyom. · « **Reply #35 on:** 06/03/2013 08:58 am »

T-20 mins

Satori · « **Reply #36 on:** 06/03/2013 08:59 am »

T-20m

sdsds · « **Reply #37 on:** 06/03/2013 08:59 am »

ILS still playing elevator music....
http://mfile.akamai.com/98707/live/reflector:48760.asx?bkup=48761

EDIT: Started right at the top of the hour, as they indicated they would.

Satori · « **Reply #38 on:** 06/03/2013 08:59 am »

Nice rocket...

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #39 on:** 06/03/2013 09:00 am »

Nice work Artyom!

ILS webcast starting.

Artyom. · « **Reply #40 on:** 06/03/2013 09:03 am »

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #41 on:** 06/03/2013 09:03 am »

Jennifer's up early.

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #42 on:** 06/03/2013 09:05 am »

Englishman!

sdsds · « **Reply #43 on:** 06/03/2013 09:07 am »

Stats for this launch

Artyom. · « **Reply #44 on:** 06/03/2013 09:08 am »

T-10 mins

Satori · « **Reply #45 on:** 06/03/2013 09:09 am »

10 minutes for launch...

Satori · « **Reply #46 on:** 06/03/2013 09:13 am »

Five minutes for launch...

Artyom. · « **Reply #47 on:** 06/03/2013 09:14 am »

T-5 mins...

QuantumG · « **Reply #48 on:** 06/03/2013 09:16 am »

.. and now there's a kiwi talking. I've heard just about every accent on this webcast now.

Satori · « **Reply #49 on:** 06/03/2013 09:16 am »

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #50 on:** 06/03/2013 09:17 am »

T-60 seconds!

Artyom. · « **Reply #51 on:** 06/03/2013 09:19 am »

LAUNCH!!!

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #52 on:** 06/03/2013 09:19 am »

LAUNCH!!

Artyom. · « **Reply #53 on:** 06/03/2013 09:19 am »

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #54 on:** 06/03/2013 09:19 am »

sdsds · « **Reply #55 on:** 06/03/2013 09:19 am »

Shortly after liftoff.

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #56 on:** 06/03/2013 09:20 am »

Wow. Nice view!

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #57 on:** 06/03/2013 09:20 am »

Nominal first stage so far.

Artyom. · « **Reply #58 on:** 06/03/2013 09:21 am »

First Stage Separation

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #59 on:** 06/03/2013 09:21 am »

Staging.

Second Stage ignition.

1-2 Sep.

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #60 on:** 06/03/2013 09:22 am »

All four second stage engines confirmed as up and burning.

Artyom. · « **Reply #61 on:** 06/03/2013 09:24 am »

Second Stage Separation

Artyom. · « **Reply #62 on:** 06/03/2013 09:25 am »

Payload Fairing Jettison

Artyom. · « **Reply #63 on:** 06/03/2013 09:26 am »

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #64 on:** 06/03/2013 09:27 am »

Staging.

2-3 sep.

Third stage ignition.

Artyom. · « **Reply #65 on:** 06/03/2013 09:28 am »

OU Separation

Artyom. · « **Reply #66 on:** 06/03/2013 09:29 am »

Artyom. · « **Reply #67 on:** 06/03/2013 09:30 am »

First Briz-M ignition.

Satori · « **Reply #68 on:** 06/03/2013 09:30 am »

Into first Briz-M ignition...

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #69 on:** 06/03/2013 09:30 am »

Staging.

3-4 Sep.

On to the Briz-M, into the first burn.

Artyom. · « **Reply #70 on:** 06/03/2013 09:34 am »

End of first Briz-M burn.

Satori · « **Reply #71 on:** 06/03/2013 09:35 am »

Still a long, long way to go for this one. This is a 15 hour 31 minute mission!!!

MATTBLAK · « **Reply #72 on:** 06/03/2013 09:38 am »

Quote from: Chris Bergin on 06/03/2013 09:27 am

Staging.

2-3 sep.

Third stage ignition.

This lady - Keryn Young - sure sounds like a fellow Kiwi!! Does anyone know for sure if she is? EDIT: Confirmed - Born in Wellington, New Zealand. Bravo, Keryn on doing such a great job!

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #73 on:** 06/03/2013 09:41 am »

Right, need to head out again. ILS webcast will be coming to a close now.

Great work with the coverage guys!

Artyom. · « **Reply #74 on:** 06/03/2013 09:58 am »

Artyom. · « **Reply #75 on:** 06/03/2013 10:01 am »

http://novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/forum/messages/forum12/topic13122/message1079459/#message1079459

xm11 · « **Reply #76 on:** 06/03/2013 10:05 am »

any photo poster astra 2e next launch ?

anik · « **Reply #77 on:** 06/03/2013 10:25 am »

Some statistics:
3103rd launch of space launch vehicle from Russian cosmodromes
1402nd launch of space launch vehicle from Baikonur cosmodrome
143rd launch of space launch vehicle from launch pad No. 39
73rd launch of Proton-M space launch vehicle
70th flight of Briz-M space upper stage

Ian · « **Reply #78 on:** 06/03/2013 10:26 am »

Here is the complete coverage:

Satori · « **Reply #79 on:** 06/03/2013 10:42 am »

Andrey, do you have the times for the next four burns?

aga · « **Reply #80 on:** 06/03/2013 11:00 am »

Quote from: Satori on 06/03/2013 10:42 am

Andrey, do you have the times for the next four burns?

you can find them on page 2 here: http://www.ilslaunch.com/sites/default/files/pdf/SES-6%20MO.pdf

Artyom. · « **Reply #81 on:** 06/03/2013 11:09 am »

Second Briz-M burn.

Satori · « **Reply #82 on:** 06/03/2013 11:16 am »

Quote from: aga on 06/03/2013 11:00 am

Quote from: Satori on 06/03/2013 10:42 am
Andrey, do you have the times for the next four burns?
you can find them on page 2 here: http://www.ilslaunch.com/sites/default/files/pdf/SES-6%20MO.pdf

Of course! Thank you!!!

Artyom. · « **Reply #83 on:** 06/03/2013 11:29 am »

Second Briz-M ended...

anik · « **Reply #84 on:** 06/03/2013 11:40 am »

Quote from: Satori on 06/03/2013 10:42 am

Andrey, do you have the times for the next four burns?

As always, they are on http://www.space-center.ru/ApriEvents.aspx

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #85 on:** 06/03/2013 12:06 pm »

Quote from: anik on 06/03/2013 10:25 am

Some statistics:
3103rd launch of space launch vehicle from Russian cosmodromes
1402nd launch of space launch vehicle from Baikonur cosmodrome
143rd launch of space launch vehicle from launch pad No. 39
73rd launch of Proton-M space launch vehicle
70th flight of Briz-M space upper stage

Wow. That's impressive!

jcm · « **Reply #86 on:** 06/03/2013 01:28 pm »

Do we know the Briz number? Am guessing it is 99540...

The corporate structure of SES continues to challenge me.. some of the material above says this satellite is for SES of Luxembourg (the parent company, formerly SES Global which also holds the original SES Astra). Others say it is for SES World Skies of the Netherlands (corporate successor of New Skies).
But my understanding from http://www.ilslaunch.com/newsroom/news-releases/ses-and-ils-announce-launch-ses-6-ils-proton-2013 is that
the satellite is actually owned currently by SES Satellite Leasing of the Isle of Man, which will deliver it on orbit to SES World Skies.

I'm not sure to what extent I should take seriously these corporate shell games, but I am going to record this satellite as SES-SL (UK) for the launch phase and SES-WS (NL) afterwards.

Another complication for the SES satellites over the US is that I believe the engineering and operations are actually done by SES World Skies (US) in Princeton, the corporate successor of RCA Americom, and indeed SES-1 and SES-2 were registered with the UN by the US. SES-5 for SES Sirius was registered by Sweden, but SES-3 and SES-4 have not been registered by anybody yet.
This one over the Atlantic is probably `owned' (in the non legal sense) by the SES WS folks in the Hague.

Is anyone from SES on the list? - want to chip in here? Does SES Satellite Leasing retain formal ownership? What is the actual role of World Skies here?

Star One · « **Reply #87 on:** 06/03/2013 01:39 pm »

Nice clear views of the launch.

anik · « **Reply #88 on:** 06/03/2013 01:40 pm »

Quote from: jcm on 06/03/2013 01:28 pm

Do we know the Briz number?

99541, as per Rui Barbosa: http://www.zenite.nu/orbita/ses-6-lancado-desde-baikonur/

Artyom. · « **Reply #89 on:** 06/03/2013 01:45 pm »

Third Briz-M burn...

Satori · « **Reply #90 on:** 06/03/2013 01:45 pm »

While we wait for the end of the mission, we can listen this song commemorating the 58th anniversary of Baykonur...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iyWPqyl9YEc&feature=youtu.be

Artyom. · « **Reply #91 on:** 06/03/2013 01:53 pm »

Third Briz-M ended...

Artyom. · « **Reply #92 on:** 06/03/2013 01:55 pm »

Fourth Briz-M burn...

Artyom. · « **Reply #93 on:** 06/03/2013 01:57 pm »

http://www.federalspace.ru/main.php?id=2&nid=20130

Artyom. · « **Reply #94 on:** 06/03/2013 02:04 pm »

Fourth Briz-M ended.

Satori · « **Reply #95 on:** 06/03/2013 04:27 pm »

Exact launch time was 0918:30.969UTC.

jcm · « **Reply #96 on:** 06/03/2013 06:21 pm »

Quote from: anik on 06/03/2013 01:40 pm

Quote from: jcm on 06/03/2013 01:28 pm
Do we know the Briz number?

99541, as per Rui Barbosa: http://www.zenite.nu/orbita/ses-6-lancado-desde-baikonur/

ah, thanks to you and Rui!

Adonis1 · « **Reply #97 on:** 06/03/2013 07:48 pm »

Adonis1 · « **Reply #98 on:** 06/03/2013 07:49 pm »

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #99 on:** 06/04/2013 12:39 am »

Can't be long to go now?

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #100 on:** 06/04/2013 12:42 am »

Ah!

ILS ‏@ILSLaunch 1m
Confirmation Breeze M MECO 5! #SES6

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #101 on:** 06/04/2013 01:05 am »

There we go! Congrats to all!

ILS PROTON SUCCESSFULLY LAUNCHES SES-6 FOR SES

Second Commercial Proton SSTO Mission

BAIKONUR COSMODROME, Kazakhstan, June 4, 2013 – International Launch Services (ILS) successfully placed the SES-6 satellite into a super-synchronous transfer orbit (SSTO) today, for SES of Luxembourg. With this launch, ILS, a leader in providing mission integration and launch services to the global commercial satellite industry, completed its second SSTO mission with the Proton vehicle.

The Proton launch vehicle, carrying the SES-6 satellite, lifted off from Pad 39 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome yesterday at 15:18:31 local time (09:18:31 GMT and 05:18:31 EDT). SES-6, built on Astrium’s reliable E3000 platform, weighed over 6 metric tons at liftoff. After a 15-hour, 31-minute mission, the satellite was placed into the target orbit by the Proton launcher.

This SSTO mission utilized a 5-burn Breeze M mission design to advance the orbital unit first to a circular parking orbit, then to an intermediate orbit, followed by a transfer orbit, and finally to a super-synchronous transfer orbit. SSTO missions can provide customers with increased performance enabling them to maximize spacecraft operational lifetime. This was the 22nd SES satellite launched on an ILS Proton and the 16th Astrium-built satellite launched on Proton overall. SES-6 is the fourth mission to be launched by ILS under the Multi Launch Agreement (MLA) signed in June 2007 between SES and ILS.

As a multipurpose satellite, SES-6 consists of both Ku-band and C-band transponders. The satellite is planned to replace NSS-806 at 319.5 degrees east (or 40.5 west) longitude. This orbital location will allow SES to provide enhanced capacity over North and South America, the Caribbean, Europe and the Atlantic Ocean region. The expanded payload will also support DTH and VSAT platforms in emerging markets.

Since its maiden flight in 1965, this was the 387th aggregate launch of the Proton vehicle, including both federal and commercial missions. The Proton Breeze M vehicle is developed and built by Khrunichev Research and Production Space Center (Khrunichev) of Moscow, Russia’s premier space industry manufacturer and majority shareholder in ILS.

ILS President Phil Slack stated, “This is a momentous occasion that we share with SES. Our relationship goes back two decades, starting with the signing of the first commercial Proton launch agreement – for the ASTRA 1F satellite. We thank SES for continuing to entrust us with their business, with this 22nd launch. I also want to thank all of the teams involved at SES, Astrium, Khrunichev and ILS for their tireless work leading up to this successful launch of SES-6.”

Romain Bausch, SES CEO, added “With this launch we are able to fulfil demand in Latin America and the Caribbean, where we are seeing rapid growth. We will also be able to provide uninterrupted coverage for our customers in the Americas and Europe. Our long-standing relationship with ILS and Khrunichev should be attributed to their flexibility, their robust vehicle and their stout determination. We look forward to our continued partnership and future launches.”

About ILS and Khrunichev

ILS is a world leader in providing launch services for global satellite operators and offers a complete array of services and support, from contract signing through mission management and on-orbit delivery. ILS has exclusive rights to market the Proton vehicle to commercial satellite operators worldwide and is a U.S. company headquartered in Reston, VA., near Washington, D.C. For more information, visit www.ilslaunch.com.

Khrunichev, which holds the majority interest in ILS, is one of the cornerstones of the Russian space industry. Khrunichev manufactures the Proton system and is developing the Angara launch system. The Proton launches from facilities at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, and has a heritage of more than 385 missions since 1965. Khrunichev includes, among its branches, a number of key manufacturers of launch vehicle and spacecraft components in Moscow and in other cities of the Russian Federation. For more information, visit www.khrunichev.com.

robertross · « **Reply #102 on:** 06/04/2013 01:13 am »

Congrats. Excellent coverage as always, thanks!

QuantumG · « **Reply #103 on:** 06/04/2013 01:19 am »

super-synchronous transfer orbit (SSTO) == acronym hell

jcm · « **Reply #104 on:** 06/04/2013 01:52 am »

Object 2013-026C, the Briz-M drop tank, cataloged as 39174 in a 360 x 14911 km x 50.8 deg orbit

Artyom. · « **Reply #105 on:** 06/04/2013 03:25 am »

My congratulations!

Artyom. · « **Reply #106 on:** 06/04/2013 03:27 am »

Satori · « **Reply #107 on:** 06/04/2013 10:28 am »

SES-6 separation took place at 0049:31.331UTC on June 4. Congratulations to all involved!

input~2 · « **Reply #108 on:** 06/04/2013 02:12 pm »

First elset for Object A (2013-026A/39172) shows the following transfer orbit:
4484 x 64903 km x 26.34°
epoch: June 4 1252UTC

CriX · « **Reply #109 on:** 06/04/2013 09:23 pm »

Great visualization renderings. Real life Kerbal Space Program.

stephendavion · « **Reply #110 on:** 06/14/2013 11:30 am »

The SES-6 communication satellite is designed and manufactured by Astrium, was launched into geostationary transfer orbit (GTO) and I read here that It will be placed at 319.5° East longitude orbital position and will replace NSS-806 satellite.

And the