Proton-M Launch (WorldSat-3) December 29

• Proton-M Launch (WorldSat-3) December 29 by David AF on 29 Nov, 2005 01:53
• The Russian Federal Space Agency has confirmed they are ready for a December 6 launch of the WorldSat-3 communication satellite from the Baikonur space center.
  
  Launch of the satellite will be onboard a Proton-M launch vehicle with Briz-M upper stage - on behalf of US communication giants SES Americom.
  
  http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/content/?id=4074
• #1 by lmike on 05 Dec, 2005 10:18
• Roll out to the pad and the prep: http://www.federalspace.ru/NewsDoSele.asp?NEWSID=1260  Check out the weather.  The Proton is one rugged rocket.
• #2 by Justin Space on 05 Dec, 2005 12:25
• Nice find. Sure is a beast of a rocket and you're not wrong about the weather. Looks a bit chilly to say the least!
• #3 by Chris Bergin on 05 Dec, 2005 21:07
• Flight postponed a day.
  
  http://www.interfax.ru/e/B/politics/28.html?id_issue=11431039
• #4 by DaveS on 05 Dec, 2005 23:18
• According to this ILS  press release a new launch has not been set: http://www.ilslaunch.com/newsarchives/newsreleases/rec320/
• #5 by Chris Bergin on 05 Dec, 2005 23:50
• Hmm, we'll have to check again tomorrow, but the Russian media's going with the one day delay and so are the AP just a few hours ago (although they'll be taking that from the Russian media reports)
  
  Hopefully Anik will be able to get firm info in the morning.
• #6 by lmike on 06 Dec, 2005 03:58
• Quote

  DaveS - 5/12/2005  6:18 PM
  
  According to this ILS  press release a new launch has not been set: http://www.ilslaunch.com/newsarchives/newsreleases/rec320/

  
  Interesting. According to this, the Proton is being moved back into the hangar to inspect the control system of the Breeze-M upper stage that didn't pass a pre-launch test. The Breeze-M's junior, Breeze-KM, was found to have a control system fault during the recent (failed) launch of the Cryosat on a Rockot. Of course, I don't know how much similarity is between the two control systems (they could have same boards/controllers), but it's good that they are double checking. If it's just a bad batch, they could probably just sawp it out. The Proton itself is a beauty of a workhorse machine
• #7 by publiusr on 07 Dec, 2005 19:56
• Proton is their Saturn IB. Where Saturn IB was a LOX-filled Jupiter surrounded by alternating LOX/kero Redstones---UR-500 was a big oxidizer drum surrounded by fuel tanks with engines placed under them and the lip of the oxidant drum and all bolted together to form one big first stage.
  
  They kept their rocket, and we abandoned our Saturns because they were Army rockets. Saturn IB started out with roughly the same lift capability as the over-complicated Titan IV left off--one more reason I can't stand the Air Force. I would have nixed the Titans and kept Saturn IB at the very least.
  
  Proton is now a top selling rocket, Titan IV is extinct, and Delta IV is a dog.
  
  Three jeers for the Air Farce.
• #8 by Chris Bergin on 08 Dec, 2005 14:41
• Yep, it's a bigger delay. Dec 30 is the new date being considered.
• #9 by anik on 16 Dec, 2005 19:42
• Quote

  Chris Bergin - 8/12/2005  6:41 PM
  
  Dec 30 is the new date being considered.

  
  The faulty complex of command devices of the Breeze-M upper stage is already replaced and Proton-M launch is planned on December 29...
• #10 by anik on 24 Dec, 2005 12:42
• 1. ILS Reschedules Proton Launch Of AMC-23 Satellite - Media Advisory - Dec. 22, 2005
  http://www.ilslaunch.com/newsarchives/newsreleases/rec323/
  
  2. Proton-M/AMC-23 Launch Live Webcast [Image 0]
  http://streamvox.streamos.com/vyvx/ils120505/
  
  3. Proton to launch AMC-23 in late December
  http://www.ilslaunch.com/stories/Current_Campaigns/Proton/
  
  December 18, 2005
  The AMC-23 satellite is mated to the Breeze M upper stage inside building 92A-50 of the Baikonur Cosmodrome [Image 1]
  
  December 19, 2005
  A busy day within building 92A-50 of the Baikonur Cosmodrome, engineers complete encapsulation of the AMC-23 spacecraft and the Breeze M upper stage inside the protective payload fairing. [Image 2]
  
  Engineers begin the necessary steps to shroud the spacecraft in the protective payload fairing. [Image 3]
  
  In preparation for encapsulation within the payload fairing, the satellite and the Breeze M upper stage are jointly lowered to a horizontal position. [Image 4]
  
  4. AMC-23 satellite information [Image 5]
  http://www.ses-americom.com/americom/siteSections/satellitesAndTeleports/plannedsatellites/amc23/index.php

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• #11 by anik on 26 Dec, 2005 20:10
• Proton-M rocket with Briz-M upper stage and AMC-23 satellite was transported on Launch Pad 200 today...

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• #12 by Chris Bergin on 28 Dec, 2005 12:37
• This launch is scheduled for 02:28:40 (UK time) or 9:28pm US Eastern on the 28th (today).
• #13 by British NASA on 28 Dec, 2005 15:41
• Could this be 5 for 5 for the Russians! What a way to end the year!
• #14 by Mark Max Q on 28 Dec, 2005 22:54
• 2 hours 45mins to go.
• #15 by Chris Bergin on 29 Dec, 2005 00:15
• I'll post when the live feed starts - good to be able to watch this one as well, I'm thinking Anik etc. will be in bed
• #16 by Chris Bergin on 29 Dec, 2005 00:17
• Hmmm, ILS have the launch expected to lift-off at 9:05pm EST....which is 2:05am UK time.
• #17 by braddock on 29 Dec, 2005 00:22
• Can anyone explain the structure of the satellite faring that gives it that sort of quilted patch-work look?  Is it covered with some sort of insulating pads?
• #18 by Flightstar on 29 Dec, 2005 00:51
• Looks like insulation padding to me. They'll never launch it with those on! I wonder how late they'll leave it before they are removed.
• #19 by Chris Bergin on 29 Dec, 2005 01:11
• Webcast has begun on this link http://streamvox.streamos.com/vyvx/ils120505/
  
  She's not going at 9:05pm EST, as they are starting coverage at about 9:08pm EST