LIVE: Proton-M/Briz-M – Ekspress-AT1/Ekspress-AT2 – 15th March 2014

[Stan Black]

Assembly of the ascent unit of Proton-M rocket was completed.

http://www.federalspace.ru/20282/ (In Russian)

Is it unusual to have the larger, presumably heavier satellite mounted on top of the smaller one as indicated in two of the pictures"

I do not know why they did not consider two similar sized satellites; as had been planned for the original dual launch partners of Telkom-3 with Yamal-300K. Early references indicate Ekspress-AT1 and -AT2 were to have had identical payloads.

The lower Ekspress-AT2 is based on a new layout/platform/bus Express-1000K. This appears to be a replacement for Khrunichev’s Yakhta. The smaller Yakhta was designed to carry a regular satellite on top. It was offered by I.L.S. as a possible shared launch partner; and is used by the Ekspress-MD1 and -MD2, Kazsat and Kazsat-2. Kazsat was to have flown with Ekspress-AM3 on the first enhanced Proton-M Briz-M (now referred to as phase II); Ekspress-MD2 with Ekspress-AM44 (on the first phase III); and I think I saw reference to Ekspress-MD2 with Ekspress-AM8. Kazsat-2 flew with the I.L.S. arranged launch for SES-3.
I.L.S. is now offering a new dual launch capability but with a Reshtnev satellite partner.
http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=34213.0

Another example of top heavy include Luch-5B with Yamal-300K. The Express-1000A based Luch-5A sat on top of the larger Express-1000H based Amos-5. However what appeared to be a similar pair of Luch-5B with Yamal-300K; posed a problem because Yamal-300K has antennas on top. Luch-5B had to be modified to carry Yamal-300K.

Aonesat-1 is another possible dual launch partner.

[anik]

Ekspress-AT1 has been separated as per http://novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/forum/messages/forum12/topic13359/message1224186/#message1224186

[Stan Black]

Short article for the launch:

http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2014/03/proton-m-lofts-express-satellite-duo/

Sorry to reference the failure again, but the article was too short without it and it notes everything's been fine since

There a couple of things that could be mentioned:-

All indications are that this is the last use of a phase III Proton-M Briz-M.

Reference to the new dual launch offering.

Also the fuss revolving around Ekspress-AMU2 being offered to EADS Astrium.
http://www.themoscowtimes.com/business/article/roscosmos-wants-only-domestic-civilian-satellite-makers/489671.html

[anik]

Ekspress-AT2 has been separated too: http://www.interfax.ru/russia/364940

[Chris Bergin]

Short article for the launch:

http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2014/03/proton-m-lofts-express-satellite-duo/

Sorry to reference the failure again, but the article was too short without it and it notes everything's been fine since

There a couple of things that could be mentioned:-

All indications are that this is the last use of a phase III Proton-M Briz-M.

Reference to the new dual launch offering.

Also the fuss revolving around Ekspress-AMU2 being offered to EADS Astrium.
http://www.themoscowtimes.com/business/article/roscosmos-wants-only-domestic-civilian-satellite-makers/489671.html

Thanks Stan. I'll do that now, as I update the article for post-mission.

[input~2]

"Express-AT1" and "Express-AT2" put on the target orbit
16.03.2014 13:07
March 16, 2014 at 12:10 Moscow time the spacecraft "Express-AT1" cleanly separated from the upper stage (RB) "Breeze-M" on the target orbit. After 18 minutes the second satellite  "Express-AT2" nominally separated from the upper stage.
For the carrier rocket "Proton" this was the second launch of this year and 395th in its history.

Spacecraft "Express-AT1" and "Express-AT2" have been produced by JSC "Information Satellite Systems" Academician MF Reshetnev ". "Express-AT1" is based on a platform  "Express-1000H». SC mass is about 1800 kg. Installed on the spacecraft 32 transponders operating in the Ku-band. It is planned that the spacecraft  will last at least 15 years in orbit, providing a geostationary orbit TV for western and central Russia, as well as western and central Siberia, and almost all of Kazakhstan.
Telecommunications satellite "Express-AT2" is based on a platform "Express-1000K." Its mass is about 1250 kg. On the spacecraft there are 16 transponders operating in the Ku-band. The SC will provide TV services from geostationary orbit to Eastern part of Russia. Lifetime of the spacecraft should be at least 15 years.

http://www.federalspace.ru/20351/

[jcm]

«Экспресс-АТ1» – 1672 кг.
«Экспресс-АТ2» – 1326 кг.

http://www.iss-reshetnev.ru/images/File/newspaper/2014/356.pdf

Although http://eng.rscc.ru/space/future/30/  and http://eng.rscc.ru/space/future/276/
give 1726 kg and 1427 kg respectively. Not entirely sure which source to prefer.

[anik]

Not entirely sure which source to prefer

I think that producer of satellites knows better about their weights than customer.

[Stan Black]

«Экспресс-АТ1» – 1672 кг.
«Экспресс-АТ2» – 1326 кг.

http://www.iss-reshetnev.ru/images/File/newspaper/2014/356.pdf

Although http://eng.rscc.ru/space/future/30/  and http://eng.rscc.ru/space/future/276/
give 1726 kg and 1427 kg respectively. Not entirely sure which source to prefer.

I looked in the archive, and that information appears recent. So payload adapter?

[gwiz]

I think that producer of satellites knows better about their weights than customer.

Perhaps they are fuelled and empty weights?

[input~2]

First object catalogued by USSTRATCOM; could be Briz-M APT
2014-010A/39612 in 393 x 35703 km x 48.62°

[Stan Black]

Launch campaign

Подготовка и запуск ракеты-носителя «Протон-М» и разгонного блока «Бриз-М» с космическими аппаратами «Экспресс-АТ1», «Экспресс-АТ2». Проведение послепусковых работ.

http://www.zakupki.gov.ru/pgz/public/action/contracts/info/common_info/show?contractInfoId=11896039

1st post updated.

Anatoly Zak says this is last PIII that is known to exist at this time.

I hear a rumour to the contrary…

[russianhalo117]

Launch campaign

Подготовка и запуск ракеты-носителя «Протон-М» и разгонного блока «Бриз-М» с космическими аппаратами «Экспресс-АТ1», «Экспресс-АТ2». Проведение послепусковых работ.

http://www.zakupki.gov.ru/pgz/public/action/contracts/info/common_info/show?contractInfoId=11896039

1st post updated.

Anatoly Zak says this is last PIII that is known to exist at this time.

I hear a rumour to the contrary…

oh .... please enlighten me I was going by what he understands.

[Galactic Penguin SST]

Less-lagging version:

[youtube]OFvFDkBtIko[/youtube]

[input~2]

First object catalogued by USSTRATCOM; could be Briz-M APT
2014-010A/39612 in 393 x 35703 km x 48.62°

Still only one object publicly tracked, but 2014-010A/39612 now seems to be Express-AT1
 in 35462 x 35862 km x 0.16° (epoch: March 22 0153UTC)

[input~2]

OK, here we are:
2014-010A/39612 Express-AT1 in 35523 x 35864 km x 0.16°
2014-010B/39613 Express-AT2 in 35405 x 35780 km x0.15°
2014-010C/39614 Briz-M          in 35639 x 41851 km x 0.17°
2014-010D/39615 APT             in     395 x 35701 km x 48.64°

[Lewis007]

The Express AT-2 satellite has started operations following an on-orbit check-out.

Source (in Russian): http://www.roscosmos.ru/20640/