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Proton-M Launch (WorldSat-3) December 29 by David AF on 29 Nov, 2005 01:53
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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
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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.
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#2 by Justin Space on 05 Dec, 2005 12:25
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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!
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#3 by Chris Bergin on 05 Dec, 2005 21:07
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#4 by DaveS on 05 Dec, 2005 23:18
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According to this ILS press release a new launch has not been set: http://www.ilslaunch.com/newsarchives/newsreleases/rec320/
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#5 by Chris Bergin on 05 Dec, 2005 23:50
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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
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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
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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
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Yep, it's a bigger delay. Dec 30 is the new date being considered.
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#9 by anik on 16 Dec, 2005 19:42
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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
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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
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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
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This launch is scheduled for 02:28:40 (UK time) or 9:28pm US Eastern on the 28th (today).
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#13 by British NASA on 28 Dec, 2005 15:41
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Could this be 5 for 5 for the Russians! What a way to end the year!
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#14 by Mark Max Q on 28 Dec, 2005 22:54
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2 hours 45mins to go.
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#15 by Chris Bergin on 29 Dec, 2005 00:15
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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
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#16 by Chris Bergin on 29 Dec, 2005 00:17
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Hmmm, ILS have the launch expected to lift-off at 9:05pm EST....which is 2:05am UK time.
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#17 by braddock on 29 Dec, 2005 00:22
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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?
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#18 by Flightstar on 29 Dec, 2005 00:51
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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.
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#19 by Chris Bergin on 29 Dec, 2005 01:11
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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 -
#20 by Martin FL on 29 Dec, 2005 01:17
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Two minutes....at least until we get some live images of when they are due to launch
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#21 by Chris Bergin on 29 Dec, 2005 01:22
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T-15 minutes and counting.
Very slick webcast by ILS
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#22 by braddock on 29 Dec, 2005 01:24
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Damn cold.... -19 C. Typical Russian Winter? Eek.
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#23 by Flightstar on 29 Dec, 2005 01:25
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-19C!
The insulation is off, but now we know why it was on in the first place -
#24 by ADC9 on 29 Dec, 2005 01:30
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Very complex launch. Four stages, lots of engine firings for the geo-stationary transfer.
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#25 by Chris Bergin on 29 Dec, 2005 01:30
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That's nice. The ground crew get to sign their names on the fairing.
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#26 by ADC9 on 29 Dec, 2005 01:32
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Chris Bergin - 28/12/2005 8:22 PM
Very slick webcast by ILS
That mess of the VT link wasn't very slick
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#27 by Chris Bergin on 29 Dec, 2005 01:34
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Should be at about T-5 minutes....no countdown clock on the webcast yet.
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#28 by Chris Bergin on 29 Dec, 2005 01:37
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T-30 seconds and counting.
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#29 by braddock on 29 Dec, 2005 01:37
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Launch!
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#30 by Chris Bergin on 29 Dec, 2005 01:38
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Wow, that blew off the pad big time. Powerful launch or what!
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#31 by Chris Bergin on 29 Dec, 2005 01:41
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Flight nominal. Second Stage ignition.
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#32 by braddock on 29 Dec, 2005 01:42
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What's the launch cost on a Proton-M?
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#33 by Andy L on 29 Dec, 2005 01:46
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Chris Bergin - 28/12/2005 8:38 PM
Wow, that blew off the pad big time. Powerful launch or what!
I hear you there! I thought it was going to destroy the pad! -
#34 by Chris Bergin on 29 Dec, 2005 01:46
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Second Stage seperation. Payload fairing seperation.
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#35 by Flightstar on 29 Dec, 2005 01:48
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Bill McMurry of ILS doesn't appear to like that cold weather
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#36 by Chris Bergin on 29 Dec, 2005 01:51
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Third Stage seperation. Briz-M ignition - now heading to a parking orbit before four burns to the geo-transfer. (which will take hours).
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#37 by David AF on 29 Dec, 2005 01:52
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5 for 5 in 8 days from Russia. Has to be congratulated.
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#38 by Chris Bergin on 29 Dec, 2005 02:04
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+19:14 seconds. Launch nominal, webcast ending.
6:48am EST (11:48am UK time) is the expected time for spacecraft seperation.
ILS say they'll post confirmation of that on www.ilslaunch.com -
#39 by Flightstar on 29 Dec, 2005 02:08
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Impressive launch and I hope they stay nominal all the way to the transfer.
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#40 by Space101 on 29 Dec, 2005 03:05
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Russia is showing how it's done at the moment.
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#41 by Sergi Manstov on 29 Dec, 2005 10:45
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Video of launch....
http://www.ilslaunch.com/stories/Current_Campaigns/#
Very powerful
Expecting spacecraft seperation in 10 minutes.
Current article:
http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/content/?id=4161 -
#42 by Chris Bergin on 29 Dec, 2005 11:14
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That's what I call a launch.
Should have been spacecraft seperation by now (in the last 20 mins), nothing on the ILS site yet. -
#43 by Sergi Manstov on 29 Dec, 2005 11:34
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American site might be reason. Still too early there.
I would think a problem would have been reported, so I'm hoping this means it was successful. We will have to wait. -
#44 by Chris Bergin on 29 Dec, 2005 12:36
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Spacecraft seperation confirmed.
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#45 by Sergi Manstov on 29 Dec, 2005 13:34
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Great!
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#46 by publiusr on 29 Dec, 2005 19:38
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Sergi Manstov - 29/12/2005 5:45 AM
Video of launch....
http://www.ilslaunch.com/stories/Current_Campaigns/#
Very powerful
Expecting spacecraft seperation in 10 minutes.
Current article:
http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/content/?id=4161
UR-500 Proton actually has more thrust on lift-off than Saturn IB, which also used a cluster of tanks as a first stage. Our Saturn IB was thought of as an Army rocket, and the Air Force wanted their R-36 Tsyclon class Titan II.
Titan II started off being inferior to R-7 Soyuz launch vehicles, then was over-optimised into the proton class Titan IV--a pad sitter now extinct. If only we kept our Saturns.
In the Soviet Union the artillery men played a great role--similar to what General Medaris wanted for the US Army with ABMA before space was robbed from him.
I think the biggest reason why the Soviet Space Program worked so well--was because they kept their Air Force away from it, where the Air Force in the US botched space due to fighter-jocks and the pilot's union.
Here is to more great Russian launches. Well Done. -
#47 by Colby on 29 Dec, 2005 21:22
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A little late, but here are some screenshots of the launch...
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#48 by Jamie Young on 29 Dec, 2005 23:09
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Nice pictures, thanks.
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#49 by lmike on 30 Dec, 2005 11:22
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braddock - 28/12/2005 8:42 PM
What's the launch cost on a Proton-M?
Last time I checked the (ILS) *price* of a Proton-M/Breeze-M launch out of Baikonour is about $85 million. The *costs* are anybody's guess... a lot of work (transportation/on-site work) is done by practically unpaid military drafted conscripts, Krunichev's personel are not that highly paid either.
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#50 by anik on 30 Dec, 2005 11:46
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Jonathan's Space Report No. 559
http://www.planet4589.org/jsr.html
"SES Global's 5035-kg AMC-23 was launched on Dec 29 by an International Launch Services/Krunichev Proton-M No. 535-13 with a Briz-M upper stage (No. 88514). AMC-23 is an Alcatel Alenia/Cannes Spacebus 4000C3 satellite which was originally built as Americom 13, then Worldsat 3, and is now to provide Ku-band and C-band multimedia and telecom services over the Pacific. The C-band payload will be partly used by the Japanese JSAT system. SES, based in Luxembourg, bought the old RCA (later GE) Americom system in 2001. The Briz-M delivered the satellite to a 6193 x 35615 km x 18.5 deg transfer orbit, leaving its secondary propellant tank in a 311 x 15526 km x 49.6 deg intermediate orbit. The Proton third stage was suborbital on this launch. AMC-23 will use its Astrium S400 apogee engine to reach geostationary orbit."
