LIVE: Sea Launch - Eutelsat 3B - May 26, 2014 (2110UTC)

[anik]

Launch Coverage Sponsored by ATK:



Sea Launch and Eutelsat Sign New Agreement for Launch Services
http://www.sea-launch.com/news-q11367-Sea_Launch_and_Eutelsat_Sign_New_Agreement_for_Launch_Services.aspx

Bern, Switzerland, June 18, 2013 - Sea Launch AG and Eutelsat today announced the finalization of an agreement to launch the EUTELSAT 3B spacecraft in April 2014 utilizing the Sea Launch Zenit-3SL launch system and launching from the ocean-based Odyssey launch platform.

Currently under construction by Astrium, an EADS company, EUTELSAT 3B is based upon the Eurostar-3000 platform. Operating in C, Ku and Ka-bands, the satellite has been designed with high levels of operational flexibility to serve video, data, Internet and telecom customers across Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Central Asia and parts of South America. It will operate from Eutelsat’s orbital slot located at 3 degrees East longitude in geostationary Earth orbit and have a separated launch mass of more than six metric tonnes.

“This agreement represents a significant expression of customer confidence in Sea Launch program, both in our capability demonstrated to date as well as in our future " said Sergey Gugkaev, chief executive officer of Sea Launch, Kjell Karlsen, president of Sea Launch, added, “We are very pleased with the confidence and trust placed in us by Eutelsat, and look forward to building upon the successful launches of Eutelsat spacecraft in 2011 and 2012.”

Michel de Rosen, Eutelsat CEO, added: “We look forward to working once again with the Sea Launch teams on the EUTELSAT 3B mission following the successful launches of EUTELSAT 70B in 2012 and EUTELSAT 7 West A in 2011. This new contract increases the flexibility we need to pursue our in-orbit expansion plan of six new satellites by end 2015 that will diversify our overall resources, increase our operational flexibility and further raise in-orbit security.”

[anik]

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

Zenit Quarterly Production Review will be conducted by Energia Logistics LLC for Zenit # 37 & 38 on August 13 & 14th at the Yuzhnoye/Yuzhmash facilities in Dnepropetrovsk, followed by Hardware Acceptance of the Block-DM-SL # 36 & 37 at RSC Energia Moscow facilities on August 15th.

[anik]

http://www.sea-launch.com

A Zenit Quarterly Production Review was completed by Energia Logistics LLC for Zenit # 37 & 38 on August 13 & 14th at the Yuzhnoye/Yuzhmash facilities in Dnepropetrovsk. Two Block-DM-SL's (# 36 & 37) were accepted at RSC Energia Moscow facilities on August 15th.

[anik]

Sea Launch on Track for April 2014 Launch
http://www.sea-launch.com/news-q11377-Sea_Launch_on_Track_for_April_2014_Launch.aspx

BERN, Switzerland, January 7, 2014 – 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 EUTELSAT 3B 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 37 vehicle and found that all required acceptance test values were within specification.
 
The Ocean Force sea-based transport vessel carrying the Zenit-2S launch vehicle designated for EUTELSAT 3B departed the port at Oktyabrsky, Ukraine on December 23rd , 2013 and is scheduled to arrive pier-side at Sea Launch’s Home Port facility in Long Beach, California on February 16th, 2014.  The mission’s Block DM-SL upper stages and an undesignated mission’s upper stage provided by RSC Energia will also be included in the shipment to Home Port.  The Payload Accommodations, provided by Boeing Commercial Space Company, is scheduled to arrive on February 12th. The EUTELSAT 3B satellite is planned for launch in April 2014.

Built by Astrium, and based on the Eurostar E3000 platform, EUTELSAT 3B will have a launch mass of approximately 5,967 kilograms (13,155 lbs.) and electrical power of 12 kW. It is expected to arrive at the Sea Launch facility in mid-February in preparation for the start of standalone and combined spacecraft operations.

Sea Trials Underway!
http://www.sea-launch.com/missions-q11384-Sea_Trials.aspx

As Sea Launch prepares for the upcoming launch of the EUTELSAT 3B satellite in April, the Sea Launch vessels have departed Home Port within the Port of Long Beach harbor for three days of operational sea trials. The Launch Platform Odyssey and the Sea Launch Commander departed on January 21, 2014 and are scheduled to return on January 24, 2014.

Participating marine segment personnel from Energia Logistics United States (ELUS) and Barber Moss Ship Management have a number of objectives designed to verify that all vital marine systems, launch platform ground support equipment and integrated systems are performing per established parameters.  Additional activities include the training and certification of existing and new personnel, the testing of various equipment and procedures and complete Dynamic Positioning and Class re-certifications.

The team anticipates fair weather as we they head 50 nautical miles West off the coast of southern California.  The uniquely purposed vessels will be conducting practice operations in the waters between Long Beach and Santa Catalina Island south to San Clemente Island. In one verification procedure, the Sea Launch vessels will "park" parallel to each other and "link" the two vessels by performing a link-bridge operation connecting the two vessels by a "bridge" so that personnel can transfer back and forth in performance of their tasks.

The sea trials will end with the Sea Launch Commander returning to Long Beach harbor by Friday evening and the Launch Platform Odyssey to return by Saturday afternoon. Then the fun begins… Sea Launch will officially begin the EUTELSAT 3B launch campaign beginning in mid-February!

[pippin]

Um... Is Zenith 2S the same thing as 3SL or is 3SL a 2S plus Block DM-SL or how do I have to understand all this nomenclature?

[anik]

Um... Is Zenith 2S the same thing as 3SL or is 3SL a 2S plus Block DM-SL or how do I have to understand all this nomenclature?

Zenit-2S + DM-SL = Zenit-3SL.

[pippin]

Thanks!

[anik]

As per http://www.interfax.ru/russia/news/356069, the launch is planned on April 13th.

[anik]

Eutelsat 3B Mission Page
http://www.sea-launch.com/missions-q11373-Mission_Overview.aspx

EUTELSAT 3B Satellite Arrives at Sea Launch Home Port Site
http://www.sea-launch.com/news-q11392-EUTELSAT_3B_Satellite_Arrives_at_Sea_Launch_Home_Port_Site.aspx

BERN, Switzerland, February 19, 2014 – The spacecraft for the EUTELSAT 3B mission contracted for launch by Sea Launch has been delivered on February 19th to the “Home Port” launch complex in Long Beach, California.  Following unloading, the satellite was delivered to the clean room area of the 16-acre payload processing facility, where mission operations and integration efforts are now underway.
After standalone spacecraft operations are completed, EUTELSAT 3B 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 early April. The launch of the EUTELSAT 3B satellite is scheduled for mid-April.
The EUTELSAT 3B communications satellite departed from the Toulouse, France manufacturing facilities of Airbus Defence and Space on February 17th 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, Airbus Defence and Space and Energia Logistics Ltd. on hand to receive the spacecraft.
Based on the Eurostar E3000 platform of Airbus Defence and Space, the EUTELSAT 3B satellite has been designed to operate three commercial payloads in the C, Ku and Ka bands. This tri-band configuration will deliver exceptional levels of in-orbit flexibility and coverage from Eutelsat’s expanding 3° East neighourhood. The satellite will enable Eutelsat to diversify its commercial response to Internet Service Providers, telcos, government agencies and broadcasters operating in Latin America, Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Central Asia. EUTELSAT 3B has a designed in-orbit lifetime exceeding 15 years.

[anik]

As per counter on Sea Launch website, the launch is planned at 23:05:00 UTC on April 15th.

[anik]

As per counter on Sea Launch website, the launch is planned at 23:05:00 UTC on April 15th.

Spaceflight Now has 22:04:55 UTC.

[Adonis1]

As per counter on Sea Launch website, the launch is planned at 23:05:00 UTC on April 15th.

Spaceflight Now has 22:04:55 UTC.

Daylight Saving Time – DST ??

[Targeteer]

From Facebook

EUTELSAT 3B Update
Sea Launch will finish combined operations today in the Payload Processing Facility. EUTELSAT 3B was encapsulated on 3/14/14. The Block-DM-SL fueling will take place tomorrow, 3/18/14 followed by Launch Rehearsal # 1 on 3/19/14.

[Galactic Penguin SST]

As per counter on Sea Launch website, the launch is planned at 23:05:00 UTC on April 15th.

Spaceflight Now has 22:04:55 UTC.

Looks like both times are incorrect..... here's the answer by SL's PAO:

Cosmic Penguin ‏@Cosmic_Penguin
@Sea_Launch What is the launch time for @Eutelsat_SA's Eutelsat 3B?

Sea Launch ‏@Sea_Launch
@Cosmic_Penguin.  Launch time for #EUTELSAT3B is 14:05 PDT 21:05 UTC, 23:05 CET 4/15/14.http://bit.ly/O4WP7W

[Targeteer]

http://www.sea-launch.com/missions-z13529-q11387-v0-Transfer_of_Integrated_Launch_Vehicle.aspx

Transfer of Integrated Launch Vehicle
Early in the morning of March 28, 2014, the Sea Launch Commander was re-positioned on the other side of the pier, directly in front of the Launch Platform Odyssey (LP) to transfer the integrated launch vehicle to the LP. The weather cooperated nicely on a windless, sunny day allowing the operation to be completed a just a couple of hours.

[Chris Bergin]

Oops:

Mission Status

EUTELSAT 3B Mission Status Update

March 31, 2014

 

During the final “dry” roll-out phase of integrated launch vehicle (ILV) processing at Home Port in support of the EUTELSAT 3B mission, a discrepancy in the nominal movement of the cable-mast and the Zenit-2S LV lateral plate occurred while installing the ILV onto the launch pad. This caused mechanical damage to the lateral plate housing located on the inter-stage truss of the LV.  Resolution of this condition will result in a delay to the planned April 15, 2014 launch date.

A decision was made to de-mate the Payload Unit and Block-DM-SL onboard the Sea Launch Commander to resolve the issue, establish the root cause and perform additional checks of the interface between the launch vehicle and ground support equipment connectors.

Once the above tasks have been completed, Sea Launch will announce an updated schedule and launch day for EUTELSAT 3B.

[anik]

I was told that there will be three week delay.

[Galactic Penguin SST]

I was told that there will be three week delay.

More precisely - new launch date is on May 4.

[Galactic Penguin SST]

Oops it looks like that the rocket may need to ship back to Ukraine for repairs, in which this launch may see a several month delay. 

However there are conflicting reports that repairing on site may be possible, in which the new launch date is NET May 24.

[kq6ea]

Translation of that forum, please?

[edkyle99]

Translation of that forum, please?

Cut and paste the forum link in the earlier message into Google Translate.  That worked quite well for me.  It rendered the forum complete with figures and photos of the connector in question.

 - Ed Kyle

[kq6ea]

Thanks, Ed!

The translation is a little "rough", but understandable.

[Galactic Penguin SST]

Oops it looks like that the rocket may need to ship back to Ukraine for repairs, in which this launch may see a several month delay. 

However there are conflicting reports that repairing on site may be possible, in which the new launch date is NET May 24.

Vitaly Lopota said that the rocket may be repaired in time for launch in mid-May.

[Prober]

Oops it looks like that the rocket may need to ship back to Ukraine for repairs, in which this launch may see a several month delay. 

However there are conflicting reports that repairing on site may be possible, in which the new launch date is NET May 24.

Vitaly Lopota said that the rocket may be repaired in time for launch in mid-May.

He has problems of his own   http://www.themoscowtimes.com/article/498191.html
https://twitter.com/jeff_foust

Found this BBC video excellent     I'm keeping Dnipropetrovsk on my radar screen.

 

[edkyle99]

Found this BBC video excellent    

Funny that the reporter's team was allowed to video the Zenits and even missiles, but NOT the Antares stages!

 - Ed Kyle

[Galactic Penguin SST]

New forward plan approved for launch on May 30: http://novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/forum/messages/forum12/topic13652/message1244216/#message1244216

[Nicolas PILLET]

Funny that the reporter's team was allowed to video the Zenits and even missiles, but NOT the Antares stages!

I've been there, and I was told the same thing. They told me that this secrecy was a request of US.

[Prober]

Funny that the reporter's team was allowed to video the Zenits and even missiles, but NOT the Antares stages!

I've been there, and I was told the same thing. They told me that this secrecy was a request of US.

Wow, you have a blog of your experience there?

Maybe some unpublished pics & videos for L2

[Galactic Penguin SST]

New forward plan approved for launch on May 30: http://novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/forum/messages/forum12/topic13652/message1244216/#message1244216

And now the schedule has moved up a bit - the launch is now targeting May 24-26 with the rocket loading on the Sea Launch platform on May 6 and departing Long Beach on May 9.

Late May may turn out to be very interesting with at least 5 launches targeting May 22-28..... 

[Galactic Penguin SST]

New forward plan approved for launch on May 30: http://novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/forum/messages/forum12/topic13652/message1244216/#message1244216

And now the schedule has moved up a bit - the launch is now targeting May 24-26 with the rocket loading on the Sea Launch platform on May 6 and departing Long Beach on May 9.

Late May may turn out to be very interesting with at least 5 launches targeting May 22-28..... 

Per Andrey the exact target is May 26 @ 21:10 UTC. 

[Galactic Penguin SST]

Sea Launch Resumes EUTELSAT 3B Launch Operations

Nyon, Switzerland, 1 May, 2014 – Following suspension on 31 March of the launch campaign activities of the EUTELSAT 3B satellite, Sea Launch today announced that its prime contractor, Energia Logistics, Ltd., will this week restart testing in preparation for the rollout of the Payload Unit and its integration with the Zenit-3SL launch vehicle before departing to the launch site in mid-May.
 
The launch of the EUTELSAT 3B satellite is now scheduled for 26 May at 14:10 Pacific Daylight Time (21:10 UTC, 23:10 CEST) at the opening of a 54-minute launch window.

Based on the Eurostar E3000 platform of Airbus Defence and Space, the EUTELSAT 3B satellite has been designed to operate three commercial payloads in the C, Ku and Ka bands. This tri-band configuration will deliver exceptional levels of in-orbit flexibility and coverage from Eutelsat’s expanding 3° East neighourhood. The satellite will enable Eutelsat to diversify its commercial response to Internet Service Providers, telcos, government agencies and broadcasters operating in Latin America, Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Central Asia. EUTELSAT 3B has a designed in-orbit lifetime exceeding 15 years.

http://www.sea-launch.com/news/11405

[Galactic Penguin SST]

EUTELSAT 3B Mission Status Update

May 6, 2014

The second transfer of the Zenit-SL Integrated Launch Vehicle (ILV) with the EUTELSAT 3B spacecraft from the Sea Launch Commander to Launch Platform Odyssey took place on the morning of May 6th. 


Dry roll-out phase of integrated launch vehicle (ILV)
The second “dry” roll-out phase of integrated launch vehicle (ILV) processing at Home Port in support of the EUTELSAT 3B mission took place on May 9, 2014, including testing of RF links that are re-radiated between the internal fairing envelope and the external integrated launch vehicle environment.

This follows a discrepancy that occurred on March 29, 2014 during the nominal movement of the cable-mast and the Zenit-2S LV lateral plate occurred while installing the ILV onto the launch pad.  It was subsequently rolled back into the LP hangar and transferred back to the Sea Launch Commander  on March 31, 2014.

http://www.sea-launch.com/missions/11387/13530

[Galactic Penguin SST]

The launch platform has set sailed from Long Beach on May 11: http://www.sea-launch.com/missions/11387/13531

Live webcam here: http://sl.navigon.net/pictures/

[Adonis1]

[Galactic Penguin SST]

The Sea Launch Commander has left Long Beach on May 15 and is in pursuit of the Odyssey launch platform.

http://www.sea-launch.com/missions/11387/13532

[input~2]

Updated navigational warning

EASTERN PACIFIC.
ROCKETS.
1. HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS 261809Z TO 262235Z MAY
IN AREAS BETWEEN:
A. 00-15N 00-15S AND 153-15W 154-20W.
B. 00-12N 00-12S AND 146-12W 148-17W.
C. 00-21N 00-21S AND 143-30W 146-15W.
D. 00-26N 00-26S AND 111-00W 116-55W.
2. CANCEL THIS MSG 262335Z MAY 14.//

Authority: SEA LAUNCH 092021Z MAY 14.

[Targeteer]

Sea Launch Begins Countdown for EUTELSAT 3B Launch

154° West Longitude, Equator, May 23, 2014 – The Sea Launch and Energia Logistics teams have initiated the L-72 hour launch countdown sequence for the EUTELSAT 3B mission following arrival at its equatorial launch site on May 23rd.  Launch operations are now underway at the Equator, at 154 degrees West longitude. The Sea Launch Commander is positioned alongside the Launch Platform Odyssey, with the two vessels periodically connected by a link bridge that facilitates foot traffic between the vessels. A day before liftoff, the Zenit-3SL rocket will be erected on the launch pad for final tests of the launch system and spacecraft, prior to start of the terminal countdown.

The launch of the EUTELSAT 3B communications satellite is presently scheduled for Monday, May 26th at 14:10 Pacific Daylight Time (21:10 UTC, 23:10 CEST) at the opening of a 54-minute launch window.

During final preparations for liftoff, the platform will be evacuated, with all personnel positioned on the ship, three miles up range from the platform. At launch, the rocket will lift the 5,967 kilograms (13,155 lbs.) spacecraft to geosynchronous transfer orbit, on its way to a final orbital location at 3 degrees East longitude.

Sea Launch will carry live coverage of this launch via streaming video on the Sea Launch website (www.sea-launch.com).  Coverage will begin approximately 15 minutes before the scheduled launch time, or 13:55 PDT (20:55 UTC, 22:55 CEST). Details of the Eutelsat spacecraft, its payload, as well as the launch vehicle’s mission profile, launch timelines, groundtrack, injection orbit, launch campaign highlights and mission album images can also be found on the Sea Launch website.

[Galactic Penguin SST]

The Zenit rocket is currently vertical at the launch pad.

T-16 hours.....

[Satori]

Moved for live coverage!

[Satori]

The Zenit rocket is currently vertical at the launch pad.

T-16 hours.....

T-10 hours...

[john smith 19]

Wow. 

I thought these guys were gone for good.

It's good to see them still in the game.  I wish them clear skies and a successful launch.

[Galactic Penguin SST]

A new day arrives in the middle of the Pacific.....

It's the 36th launch day for Sea Launch......and it may its last in its current form. 

[jacqmans]

[jcm]

http://www.sea-launch.com

A Zenit Quarterly Production Review was completed by Energia Logistics LLC for Zenit # 37 & 38 on August 13 & 14th at the Yuzhnoye/Yuzhmash facilities in Dnepropetrovsk. Two Block-DM-SL's (# 36 & 37) were accepted at RSC Energia Moscow facilities on August 15th.

So Zenit # SL 37 for this mission, and is it DM-SL # 36, do we know??

[jacqmans]

2 hours to go

[Prober]

Lox loading should just be starting.

[Chris Bergin]

Article for launch. Nothing in the William Graham realm, but it'll serve the purpose.
http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2014/05/sea-launch-zenit-3sl-eutelsat-3b-launch/

[patchfree]

I experienced slow streaming from the website of Sealaunch. Are there any alternative link for the launch broadcast?

[Prober]

I experienced slow streaming from the website of Sealaunch. Are there any alternative link for the launch broadcast?

have an auto update going on their webcam link....  http://sl.navigon.net/pictures/

[Galactic Penguin SST]

Two new photos from the Sea Launch Instagram account (of all places....) 

[Chris Bergin]

L-60 minutes!

Really like Sea Launch. Hope this goes well.

[frog]

I experienced slow streaming from the website of Sealaunch. Are there any alternative link for the launch broadcast?

try here http://www.justin.tv/static/hls/player.html?channel=sealaunch


Mike

[patchfree]

I experienced slow streaming from the website of Sealaunch. Are there any alternative link for the launch broadcast?

try here http://www.justin.tv/static/hls/player.html?channel=sealaunch


Mike

Thanks but it's similar probably a bottleneck elsewhere in the "pipelines" providing my computer with the streaming...

[jacqmans]

Rocket is venting, so tanking should be ok

[Chris Bergin]

I miss the Sea Launch pre-launch jazz music.

[Chris Bergin]

Music!! But it's like the sort of thing you'd expect at a posh Turkish hotel bar!

[catdlr]

Sea Launch @Sea_Launch  ·  16m
L-0:36:00 @Eutelsat_SA #SeaLaunch #ELUS Mission Director completed poll for final clearance to launch for #Eutelsat3B.

[Chris Bergin]

JAZZ!!! (Well, more big band). God bless you Sea Launch!

Webcast in two minutes. Stream is ok for me.

[A12]

Music!! But it's like the sort of thing you'd expect at a posh Turkish hotel bar!

Sounds better just now :-)

[catdlr]

Twitter account: ELUS_COO  is no longer providing updates.

[Chris Bergin]

Here we go!

[Chris Bergin]

Good commentator, although they've dumped the guy who sounds like a computer.

[A12]

Stream is ok for me.

The viewer in embedded Eutelsat page is saying: You have reached the maximum number of streams for your country.
I had to revert to SFN ... 

[Chris Bergin]

LOX tanking completed.

This commentator is very good.

[Chris Bergin]

Here's the Russian boss. Wouldn't want to be in his bad books.

[Adonis1]

Τ-15

[Galactic Penguin SST]

Twitter account: ELUS_COO  is no longer providing updates.

He has left the company a few months ago and joined competitor ILS, IIRC.

T-12 minutes.

[jacqmans]

[Chris Bergin]

Nice logo....

[jcm]

Here's the Russian boss. Wouldn't want to be in his bad books.

I like the way he is speaking slowly and clearly though, I can actually understand about 50% of the words rather than the 1% I normally get in spoken Russian. (Admittedly the subtitles help)

[Chris Bergin]

Playing the really impressive promo video for this sat. As linked earlier. A bit of dubstep.

[A12]

Playing the really impressive promo video for this sat. As linked earlier. A bit of dubstep.

Hans Zimmer's soundtrack ?

[jacqmans]

[catdlr]

Sea Launch @Sea_Launch  ·  23s
L-0:10:00 @EUTELSAT_SA.  The #Eutelsat3B satellite is on internal power and is "go" for launch!

[Space Lizard]

Stream is ok for me.

The viewer in embedded Eutelsat page is saying: You have reached the maximum number of streams for your country.
I had to revert to SFN ... 

Same for Spain.

[lucspace]

And the Netherlands...

[jacqmans]

[patchfree]

...and for France!

[Chris Bergin]

[Chris Bergin]

T-3 mins.

[William Graham]

On internal power. Range clear of aircraft

[Chris Bergin]

Payload on internal power.

[Chris Bergin]

Go for launch.

[William Graham]

T-60 seconds

[jacqmans]

[Chris Bergin]

Terminal count.

[William Graham]

Liftoff

[Chris Bergin]

LAUNCH!!

[Chris Bergin]

Nominal first stage.

[William Graham]

Max-Q

[jacqmans]

gone

[Chris Bergin]

"Flight is nominal"

MaxQ

[William Graham]

Liftoff time was 21:09:59.119 UTC

[Chris Bergin]

.119 is the exact launch time for those who like that

[William Graham]

Staging

[William Graham]

Engine pressures nominal

[Chris Bergin]

Staging. 1-2 sep.

Second stage ignition.

[Chris Bergin]

[William Graham]

Fairing sep confirmed

[Chris Bergin]

There goes the fairing!

[Chris Bergin]

On to second stage flight. She's doing well so far!

[Chris Bergin]

Three minutes to 2-3 sep.

[Chris Bergin]

[William Graham]

Stage 2 main engine cutoff confirmed - vernier still burning. Still about a minute from scheduled sep.

[Chris Bergin]

Their mission clock is a bit off.

Second stage shutdown.

[William Graham]

Staging - Blok-DM and satellite now on their own

[Chris Bergin]

Ah, no - they are on track.

Staging 2-3 sep. Block DM in first burn.

[A12]

Even Airbus selected an impressive soundtrack for their video :-)

[Chris Bergin]

[William Graham]

Blok-DM shutdown confirmed, into the coast phase.

Time was 21:23:12 UTC

[Chris Bergin]

End of the first burn. 30 min coast phase.

[William Graham]

Upper stage appears to be entering a roll, presumably for thermal control

[Mapperuo]

[A12]

Semyorka and Korolev there !

[A12]

What about the second burn ?

[Galactic Penguin SST]

Semyorka and Korolev there !

RSC Energia promos with bombastic soundtrack. 

What about the second burn ?

Still 2.5 minutes away. 

[jcm]

What about the second burn ?

2 minutes to go till MES-2

I liked the Energiya greatest hits video. Especially the Zond-5 turtles.

[Chris Bergin]

Well that was a lot of Russian chest thumping!

Second burn underway!

[William Graham]

Second burn underway at 21:53:45, seven minutes of powered flight remaining.

[jcm]

DM second burn start 2153:45 UTC

[Chris Bergin]

Half way through the second burn.

[Chris Bergin]

[William Graham]

Burn 2 cutoff confirmed

[William Graham]

Nine and a half minutes until s/c sep

Second burn ended at 22:00:38

[Chris Bergin]

MECO.

10 mins to S/C Sep.

[Chris Bergin]

[William Graham]

Using an 1194VS payload adaptor on this mission.

[Chris Bergin]

Nice overview of the separation system.

[William Graham]

Spacecraft separation confirmed

Occurred at 22:10:28 UTC

[Chris Bergin]

S/C Sep. Congrats to all involved!

[William Graham]

Blok-DM now making separation manoeuvres.
Spacecraft AOS expected shortly from South Korea

[A12]

"You can really feel the power"

[William Graham]

AOS has occurred

[D_Dom]

Spacecraft AOS

[A12]

Great !
And great coverage, as usual.

[Chris Bergin]

Now that was a great part of the webcast. Veteran launch guy talking through what AOS is and how it can be early or late. This one was late and he heard AOS live during his interview.

Loved that openness and honesty.

Really good commentator too.

[jcm]

All in all, very nice coverage from Sea Launch, with good technical data on the web site and during the coverage. Congrats on a succesful return to flight!

[Chris Bergin]

Sea Launch Successfully Launches the EUTELSAT 3B Spacecraft

NYON, Switzerland, May 27, 2014 - Sea Launch SA has successfully launched the EUTELSAT 3B satellite today from at its ocean-based Launch Platform Odyssey. This marks the completion of Sea Launch’s first mission in 2014, its third for Eutelsat, one of the world’s leading satellite operators,  and its 36th mission overall.

The Zenit-3SL rocket carrying the spacecraft lifted off at 14:09:59 Pacific Daylight Time (PDT) on Monday, May 26th (21:09:59 UTC, 23:09:59 CEST) from the launch platform, positioned at 154 degrees West longitude in the Pacific Ocean. One hour later, the Block DM-SL upper stage inserted the satellite, weighing 5,967 kilograms (13,155 lbs.) into geosynchronous transfer orbit, on its way to a final orbital position at 3 degrees East longitude.  Eutelsat acquired the spacecraft’s first signals from orbit shortly after spacecraft separation. All systems performed nominally throughout the launch mission.

Following acquisition of the spacecraft's signal, Sergey Gugkaev, CEO of Sea Launch, congratulated Eutelsat and the satellite’s prime contractor, Airbus Defence and Space.  "I am very pleased to once again announce the successful launch for our valued Eutelsat customer, our third in a row for them.”  Gugkaev continued, “I wish to express my gratitude to all of our colleagues at the launch site, Home Port and production and maintenance facilities for their hard work and dedication to Sea Launch program.”

Michel de Rosen, Eutelsat Chairman and CEO, added “We are delighted to see EUTELSAT 3B on its way to 3 degrees East and thank Sea Launch and Energia for this flawless launch. EUTELSAT 3B will be a powerful asset to our in-orbit resources, enabling us to increase the operational flexibility and reach we provide customers in a vast service area spanning Brazil, Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Central Asia. ”
Based on the Eurostar E3000 platform of Airbus Defence and Space, the EUTELSAT 3B satellite has been designed to operate three commercial payloads in the C, Ku and Ka bands. This tri-band configuration will deliver exceptional levels of in-orbit flexibility and coverage from Eutelsat’s expanding 3° East neighourhood. The satellite will enable Eutelsat to diversify its commercial response to Internet Service Providers, telcos, government agencies and broadcasters operating in Latin America, Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Central Asia. EUTELSAT 3B has a designed in-orbit lifetime exceeding 15 years.
About Sea Launch SA

Sea Launch SA 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 owns or manages through affiliate agreements the primary technology, patent and other intellectual property and tangible assets required to perform its launch services business. These include the highly specialized vessels Odyssey Launch Platform and the Sea Launch Commander each located in the Home Port facility in Long Beach, California, as well as 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

[Chris Bergin]

Photos:

[averagespacejoe]

This is probably a dumb question but why does a completed Sea Launch flight count toward the number of Russian orbital launches. I understand Russia owns a majority stake (85%ish) of Sea Launch but doesn't Ukraine still build the Zenit why doesn't Ukraine get credit.

[russianhalo117]

This is probably a dumb question but why does a completed Sea Launch flight count toward the number of Russian orbital launches. I understand Russia owns a majority stake (85%ish) of Sea Launch but doesn't Ukraine still build the Zenit why doesn't Ukraine get credit.

Zenit was developed in USSR for RFSR based space program thus they consider it as theirs.

[edkyle99]

This is probably a dumb question but why does a completed Sea Launch flight count toward the number of Russian orbital launches. I understand Russia owns a majority stake (85%ish) of Sea Launch but doesn't Ukraine still build the Zenit why doesn't Ukraine get credit.

I keep two lists of launches by country or region on my web site.  One shows them by builder of the first or core stage, in this case Ukraine.  The other shows launch totals by builder of the upper stage, in this case Russia.  Antares is split in a similar fashion between Ukraine and U.S.A..

So, if you think Antares is a U.S. rocket, than Sea Launch Zenit is a Russian rocket.  If Ukrainian, Ukraine.  If you're just confused, perhaps we could just call these "International" rockets and be done with it!

 - Ed Kyle

[baldusi]

Both Antares and Zenit first stage are made in Ukraine but propulsion is Russian. So if you take total cost it can go anyways. In Antares case, the avionics, TVC and integrator are al USA. In Zenit case is all Ukrainian. And the second stage of Zenit is also 100% Ukrainian. It was still a Soviet design with a lot of Russian content plus Russian ownership. In fact, Ukraine can't sell you a launch on Sea Launch (nor Land Launch, as I understand it). As much as Russia is usually taken as the continuation of the CCCP, Zenit is a Russian launch.

[robertross]

A huge shout-out of congrats to the teams for this successful launch. Hopefully many more to come!
Thanks for the coverage.

[averagespacejoe]

Really awesome and insightful replies. Before the Russian's bought more stake they were labeled International for statistical purposes on Wikipedia and other space blogs. Thanks for the info. It would be pretty cool for the Ukraine to build an indigenous rocket they could launch from their own soil. 

[baldusi]

Really awesome and insightful replies. Before the Russian's bought more stake they were labeled International for statistical purposes on Wikipedia and other space blogs. Thanks for the info. It would be pretty cool for the Ukraine to build an indigenous rocket they could launch from their own soil.

They are land locked, so they can't. But the Cyclone-4 is 100% made in Ukraine. It might launch from Brazil, but the rocket and the GSE is 100% Ukrainian.

[jcm]

Both Antares and Zenit first stage are made in Ukraine but propulsion is Russian. So if you take total cost it can go anyways. In Antares case, the avionics, TVC and integrator are al USA. In Zenit case is all Ukrainian. And the second stage of Zenit is also 100% Ukrainian. It was still a Soviet design with a lot of Russian content plus Russian ownership. In fact, Ukraine can't sell you a launch on Sea Launch (nor Land Launch, as I understand it). As much as Russia is usually taken as the continuation of the CCCP, Zenit is a Russian launch.

Yes, I struggle with this. As I understand it launch ops are actually done by ELUS  (Energia Logistics US), a US subsidiary
of Energia. And the launch services are sold by Sea Launch AG, based in Switzerland.
So you can make the case for Russia, US or Switzerland as being the launching state. Am I wrong about ELUS? If I am right, should it legally be a US launch? The integration ops are still done in Long Beach.

The one place that isn't a candidate is Ukraine - they only build stages, not the entire 3-stage Zenit-3SL vehicle. Who
integrates the Blok-DM with the Zenit-2S? I guess it is either RKK Energiya or  ELUS.

Comments?

[jcm]

oh,  and 39774 is cataloged as 2014-030B in a 368 x 35599 km x 0.02 deg orbit.

This suggests the payload is 39773, and some unknown object from another launch
is 39772.

[Stan Black]

http://www.sea-launch.com

A Zenit Quarterly Production Review was completed by Energia Logistics LLC for Zenit # 37 & 38 on August 13 & 14th at the Yuzhnoye/Yuzhmash facilities in Dnepropetrovsk. Two Block-DM-SL's (# 36 & 37) were accepted at RSC Energia Moscow facilities on August 15th.

So Zenit # SL 37 for this mission, and is it DM-SL # 36, do we know??

And it is mission SL51?
http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=22561.msg1076237#msg1076237

Google found this:-

05/193 (A1873/14) - AIRSPACE DCC SL-51 SEA LAUNCH STATIONARY ALTITUDE
RESERVATION WITHIN AREA DEFINED AS 0015N15315W TO 0015S15315W TO
0015S15420W 0015N15420W SFC-UNL. 26 MAY 18:09 2014 UNTIL 26 MAY 22:35 2014.
CREATED: 23 MAY 11:51 2014

[Galactic Penguin SST]

Photos:

I am afraid that the second photo is a stock photo.......probably from the XM-4 launch in 2006. (the colors of the Sea Launch logo was what tipped me)

I have seen several of the correct ones elsewhere....but not at full size. Can you try to ask the PAO again? Thanks! 

[pargoo]

     Did a hi-res launch pic ever appear of Intelsat-27?  I ask only because doing a Google|Images search
turns up an image that looks almost identical to the Intelsat-21 launch.  The image when zoomed
into has what I'm fairly certain looks like '21' on the shroud, not '27'.  It is actually the same image on
the SL site, which frankly I do not trust...

[Prober]

Both Antares and Zenit first stage are made in Ukraine but propulsion is Russian. So if you take total cost it can go anyways. In Antares case, the avionics, TVC and integrator are al USA. In Zenit case is all Ukrainian. And the second stage of Zenit is also 100% Ukrainian. It was still a Soviet design with a lot of Russian content plus Russian ownership. In fact, Ukraine can't sell you a launch on Sea Launch (nor Land Launch, as I understand it). As much as Russia is usually taken as the continuation of the CCCP, Zenit is a Russian launch.

Yes, I struggle with this. As I understand it launch ops are actually done by ELUS  (Energia Logistics US), a US subsidiary
of Energia. And the launch services are sold by Sea Launch AG, based in Switzerland.
So you can make the case for Russia, US or Switzerland as being the launching state. Am I wrong about ELUS? If I am right, should it legally be a US launch? The integration ops are still done in Long Beach.

The one place that isn't a candidate is Ukraine - they only build stages, not the entire 3-stage Zenit-3SL vehicle. Who
integrates the Blok-DM with the Zenit-2S? I guess it is either RKK Energiya or  ELUS.

Comments?

found other questions with this launch.   Boeing was listed, thought they were out of SeaLaunch?   
Only see Boeing was a fairing supplier.

[Galactic Penguin SST]

Photos:

I am afraid that the second photo is a stock photo.......probably from the XM-4 launch in 2006. (the colors of the Sea Launch logo was what tipped me)

I have seen several of the correct ones elsewhere....but not at full size. Can you try to ask the PAO again? Thanks! 

[Artyom.]

New launch photo from the Sea Launch Instagram account 

http://instagram.com/p/ohjmotxtTo/

[input~2]

The spacecraft (2014-030A/39773) was found to-day in the following orbit:
5,580 x 35,620 km x 0.03°

[Lewis007]

Eutelsat-3B poster

[Lewis007]

Eutelsat-3B has become operational.
See: http://spaceref.biz/business-briefs/eutelsat-3b-satellite-fully-fired-up-at-3-east.html