Proton-M/Briz-M launch with Astra-2E satellite - September 30, 2013

[anik]

The launch is planned at 21:43:54 UTC on July 19th.

[Star One]

This launch caught my eye as I see the BBC are major customers on this satellite.

Regular readers will recall that in February 2012, SES retired Astra 2D and BBC services moved to a new temporary home on Astra 1N. Astra 1N is due to take up its permanent position in 2013 (19°East), so the BBC’s services will move to their new permanent home on Astra 2E (28.2°East) when that becomes operational. SES expects Astra 2E to launch in Q2 2013, so we currently expect to transition BBC services to it during summer 2013.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/aboutthebbc/posts/Changes-to-BBC-Satellite-transponders-in-2013

[Artyom.]

Astra 2E satellite was delivered to Baikonur cosmodrome.
http://www.khrunichev.ru/main.php?id=1&nid=2837 (on Russian)

[stephendavion]

One month to go then .... start the counting .... :-)

[Stan Black]

Mission overview
http://www.ilslaunch.com/sites/default/files/pdf/A2E%20Mission%20Overview%20final_0.pdf

[Artyom.]

Briz-M upper stage was delivered to Baikonur cosmodrome today.
http://www.khrunichev.ru/main.php?id=1&nid=2840 (on Russian)

[Artyom.]

ASTRA 2E being unloaded from its transport casing at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.

[beidou]

Astra 2E mission overview

[Satori]

Astra 2E mission overview

Isn't this the same as the one previously posted?

[beidou]

Astra 2E mission overview

Isn't this the same as the one previously posted?

No, the previous one is final_0.pdf, the one I attached is final.pdf, which should be the final of final version

[Stan Black]

Astra 2E mission overview

Isn't this the same as the one previously posted?

No, the previous one is final_0.pdf, the one I attached is final.pdf, which should be the final of final version

The contents appear the same… but in the revised one it has
Title: ProtoStar II Mission Overview
Subject: Rev. 1

[Galactic Penguin SST]

New launch time of 21:43:57 UTC on July 20: http://www.federalspace.ru/main.php?id=10

[beidou]

Any information if this launch will be deferred due to the Proton failure on July 2nd?

[Satori]

Any information if this launch will be deferred due to the Proton failure on July 2nd?

Not yet, but we can expect a long delay.

[xm11]

astra 2e safe

http://www.ilslaunch.com/updates-failure-glonass-july-2013

[russianhalo117]

astra 2e safe

http://www.ilslaunch.com/updates-failure-glonass-july-2013

Here is the full press release:

PRESSER LINK: http://www.ilslaunch.com/updates-failure-glonass-july-2013

UPDATE ON RUSSIAN FEDERAL PROTON GLONASS MISSION FAILURE

July 8, 2013:

The Proton Launch System carrying the Russian Federal GLONASS mission on July 2, 2013 from Launch Pad 24 failed, resulting in the integrated launch vehicle falling back to earth a short distance from the launch pad.
The following is a status update on several items:

Personnel:
Our number one priority at ILS is safety, and we are pleased to report that all personnel associated with the Astra 2E campaign were a safe distance away at the ILS safety area, and are all safe. Additionally, we have been told that there were no injuries or casualties to Russian or Kazakh personnel.

Astra 2E Campaign Status:
The Astra 2E spacecraft is safe and has been configured for short term storage. The spacecraft has not been fueled.  The majority of the team is leaving Baikonur on 5 July 13 and will return after the Russian State Commission and ILS FROB complete their work on root cause and corrective actions.

Launch Pad facilities:
The impact area was a far enough distance from LP24 and LP39 and we understand that neither launch pads were damaged.

Russian Launch Investigation:
The Russian State Commission has been established and will be investigating the potential causes of the failure. Flight and Ground Telemetry was transferred to Moscow and is being reviewed by subject matter experts. As this mission failed very early in flight, the investigation is concentrating on the pre-launch sequence and early flight telemetry data. There are many rumors and much speculation on the internet and through other sources, and you may have your own thoughts and questions as well.  The Russian State Commission will complete their work and release their findings in due time.

ILS FROB:
Since the Russian State Commission is still in progress, we cannot reliably estimate the timing of the FROB, but based on experience, we estimate that it would not start until late July at the earliest.

Return to Flight and Proton Manifest:
The schedule for the return to flight and subsequent missions will be determined once the Russian State Commission and ILS FROB completes their efforts and the required corrective actions have been implemented.

ILS will provide regular updates as new information develops.

Related Links:
http://www.ilslaunch.com/newsroom/news-releases/investigation-russian-federal-proton-glonass-mission-failure-underway (Investigation into Russian Federal Proton Glonass Mission Failure is Underway)

[russianhalo117]

LINK: http://www.ilslaunch.com/updates-failure-glonass-july-2013

UPDATE ON RUSSIAN FEDERAL PROTON GLONASS MISSION FAILURE

July 12, 2013

Below is an update on the 2 July 2013 Russian Federal Proton M/Block DM-03 GLONASS mission failure.

Astra 2E Spacecraft Status:
The Astra 2E Spacecraft has been configured for short term storage and is being regularly monitored by Astrium specialists and secured by Astrium/ILS security personnel on site.

Astra 2E Campaign Status:
By 9 July, the majority of the Astra 2E team has left Baikonur.  The team will return after the Russian State Commission and ILS FROB complete their work on root cause and required corrective actions and all parties agree to resume operations.

Proton Launch Pad Facility Status:
The impact area was at a safe distance from Launch Pad 24 and Launch Pad 39 and neither launch pad was damaged.

Environmental Status:
Per ILS standard practice, ILS safety personnel began monitoring building 92A50 and the hotel complex for the presence of propellant vapors prior to the GLONASS launch. In addition, several hours after the failure, ILS monitored for the presence of propellant vapors on the road into the town of Baikonur and Krainy Airport. As of today, no propellant vapors have been detected by ILS in or around the ILS facilities, on the road into Baikonur town, or in the town itself. ILS continues to monitor for the presence of propellants.

Russian Investigation:
The Russian State Commission has been established and is actively investigating the potential causes of the failure. The Russian State Commission will release their findings upon completion of the investigation. It is currently estimated that the Russian State Commission will complete their work in late July.  Only after the Russian State Commission completes their work will an official root cause or causes be published.

ILS FROB:
The Russian State Commission is still in progress. We estimate that the FROB may begin in early to mid-August based on a late July completion of the Russian State Commission.

Return to Flight and Proton Manifest:
The schedule for the return to flight and subsequent missions will be determined once the Russian State Commission and ILS FROB complete their efforts and the required corrective actions have been implemented.

We plan to provide you with regular updates as new information develops.

John L. Palmé
Vice President & Chief Technical Officer

Related Links:
GLONASS Failure Update - July 08 (http://www.ilslaunch.com/update-failure-glonass-july-08)
Investigation into Russian Federal Proton Glonass Mission Failure is Underway (http://www.ilslaunch.com/newsroom/news-releases/investigation-russian-federal-proton-glonass-mission-failure-underway)
GLONASS July 2 (http://www.ilslaunch.com/category/tags/glonass-july-2)

[input~2]

Per ILS, launch now planned on September 15
http://www.ilslaunch.com/newsroom/news-releases/ils-frob-concludes-glonass-proton-launch-anomaly-investigation

[Artyom.]

Oops  ...

Roscosmos denies plans to launch Proton rocket from Baikonur on Sept 15
http://www.interfax.ru/russia/news.asp?id=323645 (On Russian)

[Galactic Penguin SST]

Oops  ...

Roscosmos denies plans to launch Proton rocket from Baikonur on Sept 15
http://www.interfax.ru/russia/news.asp?id=323645 (On Russian)

...and ILS refutes, saying that they are pressing on for launch on September 15.

http://ria.ru/science/20130816/956697561.html

I guess either those at Roscosmos are being cautious or that they aren't happy that ILS broke the news first.....