Quote from: Galactic Penguin SST on 01/21/2026 11:57 pmQuote from: russianhalo117 on 01/21/2026 11:11 pmProton-M that rolled out for this flight attempt 1 was Phase-III Proton-M (93568).This was once attributed to the Elektro-L No. 4 launch, but it seems that one used 93570.BTW source for 08:56 UTC launch time is here.I read it differently. I understand it to mean that 93570 has already been used.
Quote from: russianhalo117 on 01/21/2026 11:11 pmProton-M that rolled out for this flight attempt 1 was Phase-III Proton-M (93568).This was once attributed to the Elektro-L No. 4 launch, but it seems that one used 93570.BTW source for 08:56 UTC launch time is here.
Proton-M that rolled out for this flight attempt 1 was Phase-III Proton-M (93568).
Someone on the NK forum has posted a document showing a countdown schedule and launch timeline for Elektro-L N°5. It turns out that there will be a co-passenger labeled OChR (ОЧР). This will be deployed into geostationary orbit at T+6h45m, about eight minutes after Elektro-L. No other details are given about it.OChR is an abbreviation that in the context of satellites refers to “orbit spectrum” (орбитально-частотный ресурс), the frequencies and orbital positions allotted to satellites by the International Telecommunications Union. The term was often used in connection with Skif-D, a demonstrator satellite for the (now canceled) Skif broadband satellite constellation that was launched into an 8000 km orbit in October 2022. Its main role was described as “protecting the orbit spectrum”, that is to secure radio frequencies reserved for Russia that would have been made available to other users if they weren’t used by the deadline in 2022. Similarly, the piggyback payload going up with Elektro-L could possibly occupy a slot in geostationary orbit and transmit in the same frequencies that have been assigned to a Russian geostationary satellite that has suffered significant launch delays. It remains to be seen if the deployment of OChR will be officially announced. The presence of the co-passenger probably explains why Roscosmos released no images of payload processing prior to the first launch attempt in December. It did publish such images during earlier Elektro-L launch campaigns. Looking at those (such as the one of Elektro-L N°3 below), the only place where the passenger satellite can be mounted would seem to be the frame connecting the Blok-DM to Elektro-L. However, the picture of the Elektro-L N°5 Blok-DM published earlier in this thread makes me wonder if it would still fit inside the payload shroud if attached to the side of the frame. For the serial number watchers: the document gives that of Proton-M as 8K82KM nr. 93568 and that of Blok-DM as 11S861-03 nr. 6L.
A beautiful rocket, the fuel is a little toxic.Wasn't the 68 intended for NAUKA before the screws broke? Or am I remembering that incorrectly?
Good! Let's hope Elektro L-5 is put into orbit this time. Does anyone know if it will replace Elektro L-3 at 76 degrees east, and then EL-3 will move to replace the old Elektro OL-2 at 14.5 degrees west? In that case, the new EL-5 will replace EL-3 at 76 degrees east. Some sites say 119 degrees east, but I really don't think so.Regards - IZRZR Max
