Proton-M/DM-03 - Angosat-2 - Baikonur 81/24 - 12 October 2022 (15:00 UTC)

[Salo]

https://africanews.space/angosat-2-50-per-cent-completed-to-be-launched-in-2022-jose-carvalho-da-rocha/

AngoSat-2 50 Per cent Completed, To Be launched in 2022 -Josι Carvalho da Rocha.
By Ogechi Onuoha - January 7, 2020

AngoSat is 50 per cent completed

Angola’s second satellite, AngoSat-2, a replacement for the inactive AngoSat-1, is 50 per cent completed, according to a statement by the country’s Minister for Telecommunications, Josι Carvalho da Rocha.
...

[Mammutti]

https://twitter.com/katlinegrey/status/1230512877322280960

The production of #AngoSat2, a replacement for AngoSat-1, the contact with which was lost shortly after launch, should be finished in March 2022. In order to meet this deadline, the satellite had been taken away from RSC Energia and given to ISS Reshetnev. https://www.vedomosti.ru/politics/articles/2020/02/18/823343-sputnik-angoli

[owais.usmani]

Confirmation from general director of ISS about launch in 2022:

https://tass.ru/kosmos/9341547

[GWR64]

http://www.iss-reshetnev.ru/media/news/news-221020

Google translate:

AngoSat-2 payload module design

The company "Information Satellite Systems" named after Academician MF Reshetnev "sent to a foreign partner the design of the payload module of the telecommunications spacecraft AngoSat-2.

The structure, manufactured by the Reshetnev company for the AngoSat-2 satellite, was delivered to the European company Airbus. There, relay equipment will be installed on it, with the help of which the spacecraft will provide communication and broadcasting services in the C- and Ku-bands.

After returning to ISS in April 2021, the finished payload module will be integrated with the spacecraft platform.

The specialists of the Reshetnevskaya firm are creating the AngoSat-2 telecommunications satellite in the interests of the Republic of Angola. It will be based on the Express-1000N middle class platform developed by ISS. The guaranteed active life of the satellite is 15 years.

[GWR64]

[zubenelgenubi]

Cross-post; my bold:

https://www.iss-reshetnev.ru/media/newspaper/newspaper-2020/newspaper-505.pdf
Google translate:

... says CEO Nikolay Testoedov

ABOUT EKSPRESS SATELLITES
...
Turin, home to Italy's Thales Alenia Space, has been hit by one of the worst hits of the pandemic. They delayed the delivery of the payload for Ekspress-AMU7 for 1.5 months and for about five months for Ekspress-AMU3.
Everything else is ready or at work, so at best, the launch of satellites in the second quarter of next year, subject to the delivery of the payload in November ...
...
The work on the manufacture of the Angolan satellite AngoSat-2 has been transferred to us, and we confirm the set date for launching the apparatus in March 2022 on the Proton rocket.

[Vahe231991]

https://africanews.space/angosat-2-more-than-60-per-cent-ready/  [article dated February 1]

The Angolan geostationary telecommunications satellite (AngoSat-2), under construction by Airbus Defense and Space, will enter orbit within 17 months, as announced this Friday in Luanda, the general director of the National Space Program Management Office (GGPEN), Zolana Joγo.

According to the director, Angosat-2 is more than 60 per cent complete and is expected to launch in the first half of 2022. With a total weight of 1814kg, he said, Angosat-2 will also be a High Transmission Rate (HTS) satellite and will provide 13 gigabytes in each illuminated region (satellite signal range). The satellite will be based on the Eurostar-3000 platform and its design lifespan will be 15 years. The construction of this new satellite did not bring any cost to the Angolan State, due to the fact that the contract of more than USD 300 million, initiated with the Russian side, for the construction of Angosat-1, protected the interests of Angola, in case of disappearance or destruction of the satellite.

AngoSat-1 was built by the Russian company RSC Energia and was supposed to be operated by Infrasat. The satellite was based on the USP Bus platform and its design lifespan was 15 years. The contract was signed by the Russian and Angolan parties in 2009. In the following years, both parties worked together to organize the financing of the project, which made it possible to proceed with its practical application.

[GWR64]

Will Angosat-2 continue? Are there any new messages?
https://ria.ru/20210615/sputnik-1737011195.html  (June 15, 2021)

Google translate:

MOSCOW, June 15 - RIA Novosti. Production in Russia of the AngoSat-2 communications satellite for Angola was in jeopardy due to US sanctions, a source in the rocket and space industry told RIA Novosti.

"The United States does not give permission to the European company Airbus to supply Russia with a payload module (PLM) with relay equipment for the Angolan satellite AngoSat-2 due to the presence of an American electronic component base in it," the source said.

He attributed this to the fact that since May 2021, the United States has completely banned the supply of its space electronics to Russia, which falls under the requirements of the ITAR rules for the export of defense goods and services.
...

[zubenelgenubi]

https://africanews.space/angosat-2-more-than-60-per-cent-ready/  [article dated February 1]

The Angolan geostationary telecommunications satellite (AngoSat-2), under construction by Airbus Defense and Space, will enter orbit within 17 months, as announced this Friday in Luanda, the general director of the National Space Program Management Office (GGPEN), Zolana Joγo.
<snip>

Announcement on Friday, January 29 (almost February).
February 2021 + 17 months = July 2022

I assume more recent developments have further delayed the project.

[Yiosie]

Belated update:

Russia receives sanctioned components for Angosat-2 satellite [dated Oct. 8]

Google translate (bolds mine):

The European manufacturer has handed over to Russia components for the production of the Angolan communications satellite Angosat-2, Nikolay Testoedov, General Director of the Reshetnev Information Satellite Systems Company, said in an interview with RIA Novosti.

Earlier, a RIA Novosti source in the rocket and space industry spoke about a problem in the manufacture of AngoSat-2 in Russia: Europe could not transfer equipment without US permission due to the presence of American electronics in the payload module with relay equipment. After that, the head of the Airbus Defense and Space office in the Russian Federation and Belarus, Vladimir Terekhov, told the agency that Airbus was awaiting permission from the United States.

"On September 22, the payload of the Angosat-2 spacecraft was delivered by plane to Krasnoyarsk," Testoedov said.

According to him, the delay will not affect the timing of the satellite launch. "We plan to launch in the second quarter of 2022," Testoedov said.

[Vahe231991]

Are plans for launching the Angosat-2 satellite affected by the war in Ukraine, or not?

[smoliarm]

Are plans for launching the Angosat-2 satellite affected by the war in Ukraine, or not?

I heard Russia can not produce UDMH in quantity required for launch of Proton.
Therefore it used to buy UDMH in Germany.
In current situation that chemical company refuses to continue the trade.

This is what I heard, but I do not know if it's reliable.

[russianhalo117]

Are plans for launching the Angosat-2 satellite affected by the war in Ukraine, or not?

With the country roughly aligned with Russia it is unaffected unless they issue sanctions against Russia however existing and new Western sanctions may create some delays with the satellite because ISS Reshetnev (Bus) and Airbus Defence & Space (payload) are the contractors and the corporations suspended business between them.

[russianhalo117]

Are plans for launching the Angosat-2 satellite affected by the war in Ukraine, or not?

I heard Russia can not produce UDMH in quantity required for launch of Proton.
Therefore it used to buy UDMH in Germany.
In current situation that chemical company refuses to continue the trade.

This is what I heard, but I do not know if it's reliable.

The country's hypergolic missile fleets are supplied domestically, within the CIS and the Union State so I only see validity at most for the expired joint ventures Eurockot and ISC Kosmotras though I'm unaware of any supporting evidence that backs the rumour in modern day. Back in the early days when the East Germans contributed to the Soviet rocketry programme there was a laboratory in East Germany that did some research on hypergolic propellants.

[smoliarm]

Ok, here is something I know for sure since it is within my professional knowledge.

The country's hypergolic missile fleets are supplied domestically

- Strictly speaking this is NOT true, as it is not "supplied", rather it just "exists".
Details:
This "hypergolic missile fleet" does not USE UDMH - just because these missiles do not fly (typically
All theses missile - they are already fueled with propellants and sealed for guaranteed period of "N years".
After the expiration date they de-tank the propellants and send for recycling.  They flush and clean tanks, purge them with dry N2 and fill them with fresh propellants from strategic stockpile. They seal the fueling lines and put the missile back on duty - for the next "N years".

Production:
The only plant which dealt with UDMH in USSR/Russia is "Salavatnefteorgsintez" in the city Salavat (Bashkortostan, Russia).
It performed TWO different jobs with respect to UDMH:
A.  RECYCLING of UDMH removed from ballistic missiles after the expiration of guaranteed period. This is a relatively simple procedure of staged distillation designed to remove any possible traces of products of oxidation and/or hydrolyses.
Usually the yield of distillation is about 95%, so the losses are quite small, meaning they are well within the strategic stockpile
margin.
B. SYNTHESIS of UDMH from simple components. This brunch "B" was HUGE in comparison with "A" as it was to supply fuel for ALL the orbital launches with Protons, Kosmoses and Tsiklons. It was also huge in terms of negative environmental impact with toxic waste dumps.

ALSO, it should be noted, that UDMH business was NOT the main thing for Salavat plant, a lot of their revenue came from other products.  But in terms of ecology, UDMH production was the worst - by far. As I recall, this was the conclusion of extensive study in late 90s by Lev Fedorov, prominent Russian chemist and ecologist.

So, after the collapse of USSR, as military money for military launches dried out - Salavat plant started to curtail the production of UDMH, and some ten-twelve years later they stopped the production completely.

They still do recycling routine for ICBMs, but this recycled UDMH belongs to strategic stockpile and it can not be used for anything other than ICBMs.

Finally, relatively recent article:
https://pravdapfo.ru/news/95273-gazprom-vlozhit-eshche-2-mlrd-v

«Газпром» вложит еще 2 млрд в производство гептила в Башкортостане
Завод в Салавате является подрядчиком Роскосмоса
...
Реконструкция производства на СХЗ началась в 2014 году, в рамках данного лота победителю предстоит выполнить с 6 по 9 этапы строительства, сообщает rostender.info. В частности, на 6-м этапе планируется построить производства диметиламина (ДМА) и НДМГ, установку сжигания технологических стоков и операторную. Затем будет возведен склад метанола, установка получения товарного сульфата натрия, объединенная операторная цеха гидрирования и проведено техническое перевооружение установки гидрирования НДМА.

Google-translate:

Gazprom to invest another 2 billion in heptyl production in Bashkortostan
The plant in Salavat is a contractor of Roscosmos
...
The reconstruction of production at the SHZ began in 2014, within the framework of this lot, the winner will have to complete construction stages from 6 to 9, reports rostender.info. In particular, at the 6th stage, it is planned to build dimethylamine (DMA) and UDMH production, an incineration plant for process wastewater and an operator room. Then a methanol warehouse, a unit for the production of commercial sodium sulfate, a combined operator room for the hydrogenation shop will be erected, and a technical re-equipment of the NDMA hydrogenation unit will be carried out.

[russianhalo117]

Ok, here is something I know for sure since it is within my professional knowledge.

The country's hypergolic missile fleets are supplied domestically

- Strictly speaking this is NOT true, as it is not "supplied", rather it just "exists".
Details:
This "hypergolic missile fleet" does not USE UDMH - just because these missiles do not fly (typically
All theses missile - they are already fueled with propellants and sealed for guaranteed period of "N years".
After the expiration date they de-tank the propellants and send for recycling.  They flush and clean tanks, purge them with dry N2 and fill them with fresh propellants from strategic stockpile. They seal the fueling lines and put the missile back on duty - for the next "N years".

Production:
The only plant which dealt with UDMH in USSR/Russia is "Salavatnefteorgsintez" in the city Salavat (Bashkortostan, Russia).
It performed TWO different jobs with respect to UDMH:
A.  RECYCLING of UDMH removed from ballistic missiles after the expiration of guaranteed period. This is a relatively simple procedure of staged distillation designed to remove any possible traces of products of oxidation and/or hydrolyses.
Usually the yield of distillation is about 95%, so the losses are quite small, meaning they are well within the strategic stockpile
margin.
B. SYNTHESIS of UDMH from simple components. This brunch "B" was HUGE in comparison with "A" as it was to supply fuel for ALL the orbital launches with Protons, Kosmoses and Tsiklons. It was also huge in terms of negative environmental impact with toxic waste dumps.

ALSO, it should be noted, that UDMH business was NOT the main thing for Salavat plant, a lot of their revenue came from other products.  But in terms of ecology, UDMH production was the worst - by far. As I recall, this was the conclusion of extensive study in late 90s by Lev Fedorov, prominent Russian chemist and ecologist.

So, after the collapse of USSR, as military money for military launches dried out - Salavat plant started to curtail the production of UDMH, and some ten-twelve years later they stopped the production completely.

They still do recycling routine for ICBMs, but this recycled UDMH belongs to strategic stockpile and it can not be used for anything other than ICBMs.

Finally, relatively recent article:
https://pravdapfo.ru/news/95273-gazprom-vlozhit-eshche-2-mlrd-v

«Газпром» вложит еще 2 млрд в производство гептила в Башкортостане
Завод в Салавате является подрядчиком Роскосмоса
...
Реконструкция производства на СХЗ началась в 2014 году, в рамках данного лота победителю предстоит выполнить с 6 по 9 этапы строительства, сообщает rostender.info. В частности, на 6-м этапе планируется построить производства диметиламина (ДМА) и НДМГ, установку сжигания технологических стоков и операторную. Затем будет возведен склад метанола, установка получения товарного сульфата натрия, объединенная операторная цеха гидрирования и проведено техническое перевооружение установки гидрирования НДМА.

Google-translate:

Gazprom to invest another 2 billion in heptyl production in Bashkortostan
The plant in Salavat is a contractor of Roscosmos
...
The reconstruction of production at the SHZ began in 2014, within the framework of this lot, the winner will have to complete construction stages from 6 to 9, reports rostender.info. In particular, at the 6th stage, it is planned to build dimethylamine (DMA) and UDMH production, an incineration plant for process wastewater and an operator room. Then a methanol warehouse, a unit for the production of commercial sodium sulfate, a combined operator room for the hydrogenation shop will be erected, and a technical re-equipment of the NDMA hydrogenation unit will be carried out.

I understand. I have formally requested a second opinion on the rumour I replied to.

[PM3]

In early March 2022, following Putin's invasion of Ukraine, all work on the Angosat-2 project was reported to be terminated, essentially killing the project.

https://www.russianspaceweb.com/angosat2.html

[Vahe231991]

In early March 2022, following Putin's invasion of Ukraine, all work on the Angosat-2 project was reported to be terminated, essentially killing the project.

https://www.russianspaceweb.com/angosat2.html

Here is the latest update on the Angosat-2 satellite:
https://www.telecompaper.com/news/angolas-angosat-2-satellite-to-go-into-orbit-by-april-2022--1416521

[zubenelgenubi: Opening article requires registration.]

[russianhalo117]

Are plans for launching the Angosat-2 satellite affected by the war in Ukraine, or not?

I heard Russia can not produce UDMH in quantity required for launch of Proton.
Therefore it used to buy UDMH in Germany.
In current situation that chemical company refuses to continue the trade.

This is what I heard, but I do not know if it's reliable.

Merck Schuchardt OHG subsidiary of Merck KGaA et al has supplied fuel and oxidiser to all Russian hypergolic launch vehicle families since no earlier than the 1990s per my extensive searches so far. This is the only exporting producer in Germany. There are others in the EU and EEA and Olin Corporation in the USA.

[matthewkantar]

The Chinese still launch Long March rockets that use UDMH. Where do they get it? There are reports the Chinese refused Russian asks for airliner parts and maintenance, would they sell Russia UDMH?

Edit: Found an NYT article from 2017: "Federal officials, congressional aides and rocket scientists say emerging clues suggest that, over the years, Pyongyang obtained the fuel, its precursors, its secret formula and its manufacturing gear from China"

[russianhalo117]

The Chinese still launch Long March rockets that use UDMH. Where do they get it? There are reports the Chinese refused Russian asks for airliner parts and maintenance, would they sell Russia UDMH?

It is domestically manufactured for military and government use. Supplies are available satellites manufactured in the country otherwise the spacecraft fuels are ordered from abroad for select missions. They do export to a few other countries but I haven't come across any approved for public release documentation yet as to which countries they export to.

Unlikely as they are increasingly not on great terms hence why the inclination was changed for CSS before launch. And declined further joint mars missions after the Phobos-Grunt tug failure. The Central Committee has not approved any formal cooperation on the Moon either only non binding MoU's. China really only wants involvement with Russia if it includes heavy technical exchange and allows positively sanctioned industrial espionage.

[smoliarm]

In early March 2022, following Putin's invasion of Ukraine, all work on the Angosat-2 project was reported to be terminated, essentially killing the project.

https://www.russianspaceweb.com/angosat2.html

Well, here is RIA Novosti's article from October 2021:
https://ria.ru/20211008/angosat-2-1753622217.html

Россия получила попавшие под санкции комплектующие для спутника Angosat-2
...
МОСКВА, 8 окт - РИА Новости. Европейский производитель передал России комплектующие для производства ангольского спутника связи Angosat-2, сообщил в интервью РИА Новости генеральный директор компании "Информационные спутниковые системы" имени Решетнева" Николай Тестоедов.
"22 сентября полезная нагрузка космического аппарата Angosat-2 доставлена самолетом в Красноярск", - сказал Тестоедов.
По его словам, задержка не скажется на сроках запуска спутника. "Мы планируем запуск во втором квартале 2022 года", - отметил Тестоедов.

Google-translate:

Russia receives sanctioned components for Angosat-2 satellite
...
MOSCOW, October 8 - RIA Novosti. The European manufacturer handed over to Russia components for the production of the Angolan communications satellite Angosat-2, Nikolay Testoyedov, general director of the Reshetnev Information Satellite Systems company, said in an interview with RIA Novosti.
"On September 22, the payload of the Angosat-2 spacecraft was delivered by plane to Krasnoyarsk," Testoedov said.
According to him, the delay will not affect the timing of the launch of the satellite. "We plan to launch in the second quarter of 2022," Testoedov said.

So, it looks like the communication payload by Airbus is already at Reshetnev Plant, and it's been there for five months.
What else could "essentially kill the project" ?

[russianhalo117]

In early March 2022, following Putin's invasion of Ukraine, all work on the Angosat-2 project was reported to be terminated, essentially killing the project.

https://www.russianspaceweb.com/angosat2.html

Well, here is RIA Novosti's article from October 2021:
https://ria.ru/20211008/angosat-2-1753622217.html

Россия получила попавшие под санкции комплектующие для спутника Angosat-2
...
МОСКВА, 8 окт - РИА Новости. Европейский производитель передал России комплектующие для производства ангольского спутника связи Angosat-2, сообщил в интервью РИА Новости генеральный директор компании "Информационные спутниковые системы" имени Решетнева" Николай Тестоедов.
"22 сентября полезная нагрузка космического аппарата Angosat-2 доставлена самолетом в Красноярск", - сказал Тестоедов.
По его словам, задержка не скажется на сроках запуска спутника. "Мы планируем запуск во втором квартале 2022 года", - отметил Тестоедов.

Google-translate:

Russia receives sanctioned components for Angosat-2 satellite
...
MOSCOW, October 8 - RIA Novosti. The European manufacturer handed over to Russia components for the production of the Angolan communications satellite Angosat-2, Nikolay Testoyedov, general director of the Reshetnev Information Satellite Systems company, said in an interview with RIA Novosti.
"On September 22, the payload of the Angosat-2 spacecraft was delivered by plane to Krasnoyarsk," Testoedov said.
According to him, the delay will not affect the timing of the launch of the satellite. "We plan to launch in the second quarter of 2022," Testoedov said.

So, it looks like the communication payload by Airbus is already at Reshetnev Plant, and it's been there for five months.
What else could "essentially kill the project" ?

Most likely the interaction of the joint team during final spacecraft manufacturing and spacecraft testing at the plant and at Baikonur for the launch campaign. Interaction between the payload team and Russian control Centre during LEOPS phase. These interactions and possibly others are prohibited by the EU and other countries. The two companies ceased joint operations and projects. That is all that is known. The outcome of this payload remains to be confirmed as we do not know how far along the timeline is at the plant.

[smoliarm]

...

So, it looks like the communication payload by Airbus is already at Reshetnev Plant, and it's been there for five months.
What else could "essentially kill the project" ?

Most likely the interaction of the joint team during final spacecraft manufacturing and spacecraft testing at the plant and at Baikonur for the launch campaign. Interaction between the payload team and Russian control Centre during LEOPS phase. These interactions and possibly others are prohibited by the EU and other countries. The two companies ceased joint operations and projects. That is all that is known. The outcome of this payload remains to be confirmed as we do not know how far along the timeline is at the plant.

Thank you RH117, we all here benefit from your expertise. Thanks a lot for sharing once again!

[GWR64]

opinion:
Now they seem to be left empty-handed.
After more than 10 years and I belive over 300 Million $, which the project at Energia has cost in total.
Angosat-1 + launch (was originally intended with SEA-Launch together with a other Energia satellite) + ground stations in Angola and Russia + training of Angolan personnel.
When I first read about it (Sea-Launch still existed then) I thought what a rip off for such a weak satellite.
Similar projects like Bangabandhu-1 by TAS or Bulgariasat by Maxar were significantly cheaper.
And these satellites work.
After the failure of Angosat-1, the Angolans should have ended the project and collected the insurance money,
even if it only covers a fraction of the cost.
The money could have been invested in a joint satellite. (similar to Azerspace-2/Intelsat-38 e.g.)

[russianhalo117]

After the country filed a request the launch is back on the cards for NET Fall (Q3) 2022 however it is to be the last foreign commercial launch for the foreseeable future. All is subject to change without notice.

Paywalled article: Proton loses payloads in Ukraine war

[input~2]

[Launch] should take place between the end of July and the beginning of August

https://www.verangola.net/va/en/042022/Telecommunications/30532/Angosat-2-expected-to-enter-orbit-before-elections.htm

[Rondaz]

Ambassador to Angola called the reasons for the postponement of the launch of the Angosat-2 satellite.

Ambassador to Angola Tararov: the launch of the Angosat-2 satellite in March was disrupted due to the actions of Airbus.

10:14 03.05.2022 (updated: 11:26 03.05.2022)

MOSCOW, May 3 - RIA Novosti. The French contractor Airbus, in violation of the contract, refused to supply parts and technical documentation for the Russian-Angolan satellite Angosat-2, as a result of which its launch was delayed until September from March, Russian Ambassador to Angola Vladimir Tararov said in an interview with RIA Novosti.
...
https://ria.ru/20220503/sputnik-1786619684.html

[Rondaz]

The Ambassador told why Russia is building an Angosat-2 satellite in Angola.

Ambassador Tararov called the Angosat-2 satellite a link in the chain of cooperation with Angola in space.

10:21 03.05.2022 (updated: 11:25 03.05.2022)

MOSCOW, May 3 - RIA Novosti. Russian Ambassador to Angola Vladimir Tararov said in an interview with RIA Novosti why Russia is building an Angosat-2 satellite in Angola, which can be launched in the near future.

"The Angosat-2 satellite assumes a larger payload (than Angosat-1), somewhere around 250-300 kilograms. This means that the additional equipment that we will deliver will provide not only the initial tasks that we planned with the launch Angosat-1, but also much broader opportunities that already involve broadband Internet, the use of mechanisms in medicine. And this can be in any corner of Angola , even in the most remote, where sometimes there is even no telephone connection," the ambassador said.
...
https://ria.ru/20220503/sputnik-1786620667.html

[zubenelgenubi]

Cross-post:

Two Proton-M + upper stages delivered April 15 to Baikonur: DM-03 for Angosat-2 and Briz-M for ExoMars:

Source: Arrived at Baikonur "Proton-M" will launch the satellite AngoSat-2.

Proton-M heavy rocket arrived at Baikonur to launch AngoSat-2 satellite into orbit.

03:26 16.04.2022

[Fmedici]

https://twitter.com/katlinegrey/status/1533688460590125056

[Vahe231991]

Does the Angosat-2 satellite have any technological improvements over the Angosat-1, given that the latter experienced a number of problems in establishing contact with ground controllers days after launch in late December 2017?

[russianhalo117]

Does the Angosat-2 satellite have any technological improvements over the Angosat-1, given that the latter experienced a number of problems in establishing contact with ground controllers days after launch in late December 2017?

Completely different spacecraft bus and payload module by different manufacturers so they aren't really comparable except by quality control and production rate.

[Rondaz]

Launch of satellite for Angola postponed until October — source.

Russia and Angola earlier agreed to build the Angosat-2 satellite to replace the lost Angosat-1 satellite, launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome on December 26, 2017.

26 JUL, 21:19

MOSCOW, July 27. /TASS/. The launch of the Angosat-2 satellite for Angola, scheduled for early September, has been postponed to October, a source in Russia’s rocket and space industry has told TASS.

"The Angosat-2 launch from Baikonur has been postponed to October," the source said.

Russia and Angola earlier agreed to build the Angosat-2 satellite to replace the lost Angosat-1 satellite, launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome on December 26, 2017. Communication with the satellite was lost the next day. The new satellite will be designed and built by Reshetnev Information Satellite Systems.

Earlier, the enterprise sent a payload module for the telecommunication satellite to its foreign partner Airbus. The module includes relay equipment that provide communications and broadcast in C and Ku frequency bands.

https://tass.com/science/1485293

[Rondaz]

Satellite in Angola’s interests to be launched on October 12 — source.

Russia and Angola agreed to build an Angosta-2 communications satellite to replace the lost Angosta-1 satellite, which was launched from Baikonur on December 26, 2017.

3 AUG, 15:58

MOSCOW, August 4. /TASS/. The launch of the Angosat-2 satellite from the Baikonur spaceport is scheduled for October 12, a source in the space industry told TASS on Thursday.

"The launch of the Proton-M carrier rocket with the Angosat-2 satellite in the interests of Angola is scheduled for October 12," the source said.

Russia and Angola agreed to build an Angosta-2 communications satellite to replace the lost Angosta-1 satellite, which was launched from Baikonur on December 26, 2017 but lost contact with Earth of the following day. The new satellite was engineered and manufactured by the Reshetnev Information Satellite Systems Company (part of Russia’s State Space Corporation Roscosmos).

https://tass.com/science/1489039

[Vahe231991]

Satellite in Angola’s interests to be launched on October 12 — source.

Russia and Angola agreed to build an Angosta-2 communications satellite to replace the lost Angosta-1 satellite, which was launched from Baikonur on December 26, 2017.

3 AUG, 15:58

MOSCOW, August 4. /TASS/. The launch of the Angosat-2 satellite from the Baikonur spaceport is scheduled for October 12, a source in the space industry told TASS on Thursday.

"The launch of the Proton-M carrier rocket with the Angosat-2 satellite in the interests of Angola is scheduled for October 12," the source said.

Russia and Angola agreed to build an Angosta-2 communications satellite to replace the lost Angosta-1 satellite, which was launched from Baikonur on December 26, 2017 but lost contact with Earth of the following day. The new satellite was engineered and manufactured by the Reshetnev Information Satellite Systems Company (part of Russia’s State Space Corporation Roscosmos).

https://tass.com/science/1489039

Is there a reason the Angosat-2 launch has been delayed by a month?

[Rondaz]

Angola hopes to launch AngoSat-2 satellite by year-end, ambassador says.

The Ambassador of Angola said that the country hopes to launch the AngoSat-2 satellite before the end of the year.

10:03 08/27/2022 (updated: 10:04 08/27/2022)

MOSCOW, August 27 - RIA Novosti. The launch of the Russian-Angolan satellite AngoSat-2 is scheduled for 2022, the Angolan authorities have not yet heard of a postponement or cancellation of the launch, Augusto da Silva Cunha, the republic's ambassador to Russia, said in an interview with RIA Novosti.

"The launch of the satellite is scheduled for this year. I would like to believe that it will take place before the end of the year. So far, we have not heard a refutation of information about the timing or that something could interfere with the launch. As far as I know, the Russian side met the deadlines," - the ambassador said.

According to him, the project "will improve the national security system in terms of ensuring more thorough control of borders, both land and sea." The launch of the satellite will contribute to the development of telecommunications, broadband Internet, medicine and agriculture, industry and other areas.

"In general, all this will strengthen the country's economy," the diplomat concluded.

In April 2018, Russia and Angola agreed to build AngoSat-2 to replace AngoSat-1. The creation of the AngoSat-2 satellite was entrusted to RSC Energia , but in May 2020 it became known that, at the request of the Angolan side, this work was transferred to the Reshetnev ISS .

https://ria.ru/20220827/sputnik-1812484645.html

[Galactic Penguin SST]

https://twitter.com/katlinegrey/status/1578391533228785664

[xm11]

any time launch ? gmt

[russianhalo117]

any time launch ? gmt

It is a tad to early to be provided however keep checking back for posted updates.

[Galactic Penguin SST]

These notices seems to be related (1st and 3rd stage drop zones?) so launch time seems to be ~15:05 UTC?

K6990/22 NOTAMN
Q) UACN/QRDCA/IV/BO /W /000/999/4715N06629E022
A) UACN B) 2210121455 C) 2210151515
D) DAILY 1455-1515
E) DANGER AREA UAD25 ACTIVATED.
F) GND G) UNL

[NAVAREA Navigational Warnings]
NORTH PACIFIC
NO.22-0346 Date:2022/10/07 12 UTC
NORTH PACIFIC, WESTERN PART.
DANGEROUS TO NAVIGATION AREA DESIGNATED
DUE TO ROCKET CARRIER ELEMENTS FALL.
1500Z TO 1630Z DAILY 12 TO 15 OCT.
IN ELLIPSE SHAPED AREA CENTERED IN
24-23N 161-46E. LARGE AXIS 216 MILES AND
SMALL AXIS 59.4 MILES. AZIMUTH OF LARGE
AXIS 134 DEGREES.
CANCEL THIS MSG 151730Z OCT.

[Alter Sachse]

https://www.roscosmos.ru/38331/

"On Sunday, October 9, 2022, the Proton-M space rocket carrying the Angolan telecommunications spacecraft Angosat-2, created by an enterprise of Roskosmos State Corporation, was transported to the launch pad 81 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome.

After installing the rocket in a vertical position on the launch pad, Roskosmos enterprise specialists began to prepare it for launch.

The Angosat-2 satellite is to be launched by a Proton-M rocket with a Block DM-03 upper stage.

The Proton-M launch vehicle was built by the Khrunichev State Research & Production Space Center, the Block DM-03 upper stage by the Korolev Rocket and Space Corporation Energia and the Angosat-2 satellite was built by the Reshetnev Information Satellite Systems (affiliated with Roskosmos)."

[FutureSpaceTourist]

https://twitter.com/katlinegrey/status/1579030522327896064

#ProtonM with #Angosat2 is vertical on Baikonur.

[Svetoslav]

Is this the same rocket that was supposed to be used for ExoMars?

[Alter Sachse]

Is this the same rocket that was supposed to be used for ExoMars?

Proton 93572 was planned for ExoMars,
93571 for Angosat.
Which one it really is remains a mystery for the time being.

[Alter Sachse]

[Alter Sachse]

[Rondaz]

The launch of the Angosat-2 satellite will take place on October 12.

Roskosmos: Angosat-2 telecommunications satellite will be launched on October 12.

16:46 09.10.2022

MOSCOW, October 9 - RIA Novosti. Roskosmos has confirmed that the Angosat-2 telecommunications satellite, built in Russia for Angola, will be launched into orbit on October 12.

Earlier, the Angolan media wrote about this.

"On October 12, Proton-M will take off from Baikonur, under the fairing of which is the AngoSat-2 spacecraft," the state corporation's Telegram channel said.

The rocket with the Angolan spacecraft was taken to the launch complex of the 81st site of the Baikonur Cosmodrome on Sunday morning. Specialists began to prepare it for launch.

In April 2018, Russia and Angola agreed to build AngoSat-2 to replace AngoSat-1, communication with which was lost shortly after the device entered orbit at the end of 2017. The creation of the second satellite was initially entrusted to the enterprise where the first apparatus was built - RSC Energia , but in May 2020 it became known that, at the request of the Angolan side, this work was transferred to the Reshetnev ISS .

https://ria.ru/20221009/sputnik-1822619239.html

[Alter Sachse]

https://africanews.space/angosat-2-set-to-launch-on-wednesday-12-october-2022/

Angola will launch its second satellite, Angosat-2 on Wednesday, October 12 by 12 am GMT, according to the Angolan Minister of Telecommunications, Information Technologies and Social Communication (MINTTICS), Mαrio Augusto da Silva Oliveira. He disclosed this at the launch of Angola’s activities in commemoration of World Space Week. The launch will take place at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan and through the Russian Federal Space Agency (ROSCOSMOS). The geostationary communications satellite will offer several services and cover the entire African continent, with emphasis on Southern Africa.

Angosat-2, weighing two tons, will be a High-throughput satellite (HTS), providing 13 gigabytes in each illuminated region (satellite signal range zones). The satellite will be based on the Eurostar-3000 platform and have a design lifespan of 15 years. Angosat-2 was developed in Russia by Reshetnev Information Satellite Systems Company, and the construction is at no new cost to Angola due to the insurance package from Angosat-1’s USD 300 million contract.

According to the Director-General of the Angolan National Space Program Management Office (GGPEN), Zolana Joγo, Angosat-2 will be seven times faster than its predecessor as Angosat-1 was a conventional satellite, with a wide communication beam, regardless of location. With this, Angola can minimise the digital divide problem, allowing equal access to all Angolans to the benefits offered by Information and Communication Technologies (ICT).

According to the Minister, Angola intends to improve the Angosat-2 satellite transmission infrastructure and Angola’s Earth Observation programme within the framework of its National Space Strategy. This will also extend to investment in national broadband infrastructure through submarine and terrestrial fibre optics. He also added that investing in space technology will contribute to unifying and developing Africa. “We want to have a strong national space industry that serves the interests of our economy and brings benefits, not only for Angola but as a way to create synergies in our region while fostering the establishment of a united Africa”, he said.

The Minister also noted that the telecommunications services resulting from the launch would benefit Angola and the satellite operators. The services will cover the entire African continent and a significant part of Southern Europe in C Band. The satellite will also provide almost complete coverage of southern Africa in Ku Band. The Minister also noted the intention of the Executive to continue investing in inducing projects for the creation of the television broadcasting market.



Weight 2 tons

launch 12:00 UTC ??

[input~2]

K6991/22 - PROHIBITED AREA ACTIVATED WI 16.2NM  RADIUS
CENTRED ON 460224N 0630155E. GND - UNL, DAILY 1450-1505, 12 OCT 14:50 2022 UNTIL
15 OCT 15:05 2022. CREATED: 05 OCT 08:19 2022

L6954/22  - ATS RTE SEGMENTS CLSD:
A489 TELRU-NIGOR  FL185-FL265,
P983 TELRU-NIGOR  FL265-FL540. FL185 - FL540, DAILY 1500-1540, 12 OCT 15:00
2022 UNTIL 15 OCT 15:40 2022. CREATED: 03 OCT 07:17 2022

L6069/22 - RESTRICTED AREA ACT: UNR1237. GND - UNL, DAILY 1500-1540, 12 OCT 15:00 2022 UNTIL
15 OCT 15:40 2022. CREATED: 22 SEP 00:58 2022

[Josh_from_Canada]

Rollout video

[Galactic Penguin SST]

[xm11]

[Steven Pietrobon]

Proton 93572 was planned for ExoMars,
93571 for Angosat.
Which one it really is remains a mystery for the time being.

The number I see on the first stage is 6302564074.

[Galactic Penguin SST]

The video description says T-0 is 15:00 UTC.

[Alter Sachse]

https://www.roscosmos.ru/38331/

"On Sunday, October 9, 2022, the Proton-M space rocket carrying the Angolan telecommunications spacecraft Angosat-2, created by an enterprise of Roskosmos State Corporation, was transported to the launch pad 81 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome.

After installing the rocket in a vertical position on the launch pad, Roskosmos enterprise specialists began to prepare it for launch.

The Angosat-2 satellite is to be launched by a Proton-M rocket with a Block DM-03 upper stage.

The Proton-M launch vehicle was built by the Khrunichev State Research & Production Space Center, the Block DM-03 upper stage by the Korolev Rocket and Space Corporation Energia and the Angosat-2 satellite was built by the Reshetnev Information Satellite Systems (affiliated with Roskosmos)."

This is the first launch of LC 81/24 since 2019.

[Alter Sachse]

Launched on time

[Svetoslav]

Blok-DM-03 separated on time from the third stage.

[Alter Sachse]

[FutureSpaceTourist]

twitter.com/nasaspaceflight/status/1580212109774049280

LAUNCH!

https://twitter.com/nasaspaceflight/status/1580213526362456064

The "hot staging" 2-3.

[Rondaz]

Beautiful launch of #ProtonM rocket into the night sky of Baikonur!

https://twitter.com/katlinegrey/status/1580215035699527681

[Rondaz]

Russia launches a Proton-M rocket to put the Angosat-2 communications satellite into geostationary orbit.

https://twitter.com/SpaceNosey/status/1580212297498521606

[Rondaz]

Russia's Proton rocket once was a major player in the global commercial launch market. Then came a string of failures and rise of SpaceX. Now:

https://twitter.com/SciGuySpace/status/1580166170304356352

[Satori]

I'm going to miss those Proton-M ignitions!

[Svetoslav]

And after the cool liftoff coverage, we're back to the informational "Dark Ages" (to quote Anatoly Zak).

We still don't have information whether the first burn of Blok-D went well and whether the spacecraft achieved initial orbit.

People on Novosti-Kosmonavtiki already ask what's going on.

[Vahe231991]

It is possible that there were problems that bedeviled the Angosat-1 satellite that were corrected during fabrication of the Angosat-2, since Angosat-1 contact with ground controllers was lost shortly after the Angosat-1 entered orbit?

[Sam Ho]

It is possible that there were problems that bedeviled the Angosat-1 satellite that were corrected during fabrication of the Angosat-2, since Angosat-1 contact with ground controllers was lost shortly after the Angosat-1 entered orbit?

The two satellites are on totally different busses.  Angosat-1 was an RSC Energia design; Angosat-2 is an ISS Reshetnev.

See this quote from the first page of this thread.

https://twitter.com/katlinegrey/status/1230512877322280960

The production of #AngoSat2, a replacement for AngoSat-1, the contact with which was lost shortly after launch, should be finished in March 2022. In order to meet this deadline, the satellite had been taken away from RSC Energia and given to ISS Reshetnev. https://www.vedomosti.ru/politics/articles/2020/02/18/823343-sputnik-angoli

[ace5]

Proton-M

[Svetoslav]

Anatoly Zak reports that parking orbit has been achieved successfully.

Now onto 7-hour period of coasting and burns

http://www.russianspaceweb.com/angosat2.html

[Rondaz]

Orbital Launch no.136 of 2022

Angosat-2 | Roscosmos | Oct 12 | 1505 UTC

@roscosmos to launch the #Angola's telecom #Angosat2 (replacing Angosat-1) atop its medium-heavy launcher #ProtonM with DM-3 upper stage from Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.

https://twitter.com/SpaceIntellige3/status/1580162917755863040

[russianhalo117]

Orbital Launch no.136 of 2022

Angosat-2 | Roscosmos | Oct 12 | 1505 UTC

@roscosmos to launch the #Angola's telecom #Angosat2 (replacing Angosat-1) atop its medium-heavy launcher #ProtonM with DM-3 upper stage from Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.

https://twitter.com/SpaceIntellige3/status/1580162917755863040

DM-3 and DM-03 are not the same versions.

[ZachS09]

How many more Protons are there to be launched?

[Satori]

Launch images from Roscosmos...

[Steven Pietrobon]

This was posted 6 hours and 14 minutes after launch. Insertion should be about 7 hours after launch, which was about half an hour ago.

https://ria.ru/20221013/kosmos-1823556888.html

Satellite AngoSat-2, launched on the "Proton", entered the calculated orbit
Roscosmos: AngoSat-2 satellite launched at Proton entered the calculated orbit

BAIKONUR COSMODROME, Oct. 13 — RIA Novosti. The AngoSat-2 telecommunications satellite, built in Russia by order of Angola, entered orbit after being launched on a Proton-M rocket from Baikonur, Roscosmos reported.

"AngoSat-2 has arrived at its space destination. On the night of October 13, the Angolan satellite AngoSat-2, created by the Roscosmos enterprise, was put into a given orbit," the state corporation said.

[Steven Pietrobon]

Confirmation of launch success!

https://www.interfax.ru/world/867601

 Worldwide 01:37, 13 October 2022 (UTC)
Angolan communications satellite Angosat-2 launched from Baikonur has been successfully launched into orbit

Moscow. October 13. INTERFAX.RU - The Angolan telecommunications satellite Angosat-2, launched on Wednesday from the Baikonur cosmodrome, was successfully launched into orbit, Roscosmos reported.

"On the night of October 13, the Angolan satellite Angosat-2, created by the Roscosmos enterprise, was put into a given orbit," the state corporation said in a telegram channel.

On the eve of the proton-M launch vehicle launched at 18:00 Moscow time from the site 81 of the Baikonur cosmodrome. The rocket put into orbit the Angosat-2 communication satellite with the DM-03 upper stage.

The spacecraft will be placed in geostationary orbit 36 thousand km from Earth.

[Steven Pietrobon]

DM-3 and DM-03 are not the same versions.

That's correct. My understanding is that DM3 (without the hyphen) used the RD-58S engine up to 2006 with Proton-K and DM-03 used the RD-58MF engine from 2010 with Proton-M.

https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_lau_det/proton-k_blok-dm3.htm
https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_lau_det/proton-m_blok-dm-03.htm

[xm11]

any know tle and norad of satellite >?

[Nicolas PILLET]

That's correct. My understanding is that DM3 (without the hyphen) used the RD-58S engine up to 2006 with Proton-K and DM-03 used the RD-58MF engine from 2010 with Proton-M.

https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_lau_det/proton-k_blok-dm3.htm
https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_lau_det/proton-m_blok-dm-03.htm

You're correct : DM3 and DM-03 are not the same thing.

But RD-58MF is still a distant project and has not flown yet.

[Steven Pietrobon]

But RD-58MF is still a distant project and has not flown yet.

Do you know what engine DM-03 uses? Is it the same as DM3?

[Nicolas PILLET]

But RD-58MF is still a distant project and has not flown yet.

Do you know what engine DM-03 uses? Is it the same as DM3?

11D58M.

[owais.usmani]

That's correct. My understanding is that DM3 (without the hyphen) used the RD-58S engine up to 2006 with Proton-K and DM-03 used the RD-58MF engine from 2010 with Proton-M.

https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_lau_det/proton-k_blok-dm3.htm
https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_lau_det/proton-m_blok-dm-03.htm

You're correct : DM3 and DM-03 are not the same thing.

But RD-58MF is still a distant project and has not flown yet.

Then it looks like these Wikipedia articles need to be updated, as they mention DM-03 version using RD-58MF engine.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RD-58
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blok_DM-03

[Alter Sachse]

How many more Protons are there to be launched?

There should still be about a dozen Proton (phase 3 and phase 4)
But there are hardly any satellites for the Proton.
On the list are:
Electro L No. 4
Electro L No. 5
Ekspress AMU 4 (?)
Luch 5/Olimp

[input~2]

any know tle and norad of satellite >?

2022-131A/54033 in 233 x 36201 km x 48.87° epoch Oct 12 20:37 UTC
(reflecting upper assembly, not satellite orbit)

[Rondaz]

Blastoff! Russia launches Angosat-2 atop Proton-M rocket

[Rondaz]

AngoSat-2 satellite, launched on Proton, entered the calculated orbit.

Roskosmos: AngoSat-2 satellite, launched on Proton, entered the calculated orbit.

01:14 10/13/2022 (updated: 01:19 10/13/2022)

BAIKONUR COSMODROME, Oct 13 - RIA Novosti. The telecommunications satellite AngoSat-2, built in Russia by order of Angola, went into orbit after being launched on a Proton-M rocket from Baikonur, Roskosmos reported.

"AngoSat-2 arrived at its space destination. On the night of October 13, the AngoSat-2 Angolan satellite, created by the Roscosmos enterprise, was launched into a given orbit," the state corporation said.

The rocket was launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome at 18.00. After 10 minutes, she launched the upper stage DM-03 with a satellite onto a suborbital trajectory. To deliver the device to the calculated orbit, the "accelerator" had to turn on its main engine three times.

AngoSat-2 will be placed in a geostationary orbit at a height of 36 thousand kilometers at a point of 23 degrees east longitude. The device, weighing about 1.7 tons, will be able to cover the entire African continent, as well as European countries, with telecommunications services .

Angola will be able to take the satellite into operation after carrying out all the necessary technical and technological procedures. This will happen approximately three months after launch.

AngoSat-2 is designed to provide fixed and mobile communication services, digital TV and radio broadcasting and high-speed Internet access. The satellite is designed for 15 years of operation.

On the eve of the launch, the Minister of Telecommunications, Information Technology and Public Relations of Angola, Mario Augusto Da Silva Oliveira, told reporters that AngoSat-2 will connect all corners of the big territory of Angola with high-quality communication.

As Russian Ambassador to Luanda Vladimir Tararov said earlier in an interview with RIA Novosti , the satellite will provide not only civilian, but also military needs, for example, border protection. Also, the African country will be able to provide telecommunications services through AngoSat-2 to neighboring states. To work with the apparatus in Angola, a mission control and satellite control center was built.

In April 2018, Russia and Angola agreed to build AngoSat-2 to replace AngoSat-1. The creation of the second satellite was initially entrusted to the enterprise where the first apparatus was built - RSC Energia , but in May 2020 it became known that, in agreement with the Angolan side, this work was transferred to the Reshetnev ISS .

https://ria.ru/20221013/kosmos-1823556888.html

[Nicolas PILLET]

How many more Protons are there to be launched?

Twelve. Ten of them are already built. The other two will be built in 2023.

There are payloads already assigned to fiev of these twelve launchers.

https://tass.ru/kosmos/16038235

[Rondaz]

CelesTrak has GP data for 1 object from the launch (2022-131) of ANGOSAT-2 atop a Proton-M rocket from Baikonur Cosmodrome on Oct 12 at 1500 UTC:

https://twitter.com/TSKelso/status/1580316826356981760

[owais.usmani]

Do we know if the satellite is communicating successfully and has been taken over by ground controllers?

[input~2]

Satellite now drifting West above GEO to planned orbital slot

2022-131A/54033 in 36179 x 36195 km x 0.03°
Epoch: Oct 14, 14:27 UTC

[input~2]

Do we know if the satellite is communicating successfully and has been taken over by ground controllers?

https://rna.ao/rna.ao/2022/10/14/angosat-2-e-controlado-a-partir-da-funda-por-equipa-de-jovens-angolanos/

[russianhalo117]

Do we know if the satellite is communicating successfully and has been taken over by ground controllers?

http://russianspaceweb.com/angosat2.html

At a post-launch press-conference, Head of Roskosmos Yuri Borisov said that Angosat-2 had established communications with ground control, deployed its solar panels and began establishing three-axis orientation in space. According to Angolan officials, the routine operation of Angosat-2 was scheduled to begin 90 days after launch.

[Rondaz]

One object cataloged so far from the Angosat-2 launch, in a 36179 x 36194 km x 0.03 deg orbit, 400 km above GEO and drifting 5 deg west per day, currently over 71 deg E.  This may be the payload, drifting to its target location at 23E, with the Blok DM-03 not yet tracked..

https://twitter.com/planet4589/status/1581504501332447232

[GWR64]

... This may be the payload, drifting to its target location at 23E, with the Blok DM-03 not yet tracked..

Blok DM is still not found.
Also the Fregat upper stage from the Glonass launch is lost, presumably after the 2nd burn for the 'graveyard orbit'.
Too many new objects for US SPACETRACK, i think.

[Rondaz]

Angosat-2 reached its planned position in the geostationary orbit. The Russian-built communications satellite for Anogola was launched on a Proton rocket on October 12.

https://twitter.com/RussianSpaceWeb/status/1588544740764811265

[input~2]

ANGOSAT-2 satellite is now operational
https://ggpen.gov.ao/?p=7417

[FutureSpaceTourist]

https://twitter.com/russianspaceweb/status/1598760282897223680

Angosat-2 satellite, built by Russian company ISS Reshetnev for the government of Angola and launched on a Proton rocket on Oct. 12, is declared fully operational today: russianspaceweb.com/angosat2.html