Launch of THURAYA SC by Sea Launch System
On October 21 2000, at 9h 52min, Moscow time (5:52 GMT),
Sea Launch space rocket system launch next Integrated Launch Vehicle
Zenit-3SL.
Launch target – deliver THURAYA spacecraft of 5,1 tons
to the target transfer orbit prior to geosynchronous orbit with parameters:
perigee – 214 km, apogee – 35786 km, inclination – 6,3°.
Injection to the target orbit from the transfer one,
created by LV Zenit-2S, was performed by space upper stage DM-SL.
The THURAYA SC injected to the orbit is designed to support
mobile phone communication in Near-Eastern region on geosynchronous
orbit at 46° eastern longitude.
The launch is performed from the Odyssey launch platform
which is located in the Pacific Ocean at the Equator area at 154°
western longitude close to Christmas Island.
Launches of SCs from sea launch site are performed by
international joint stock venture Sea Launch of the following stockholders:
Boeing company, USA (40% shares), S.P. Korolev Rocket Space Company
Energia (25% shares) Kvaerner Invest Norge AS,Norway and Ukrainian aerospace
companies – PO Yuzhmashzavod (10%) and M.K. Yangel SDO “Yuzhnoye” (5%).
Boeing Commercial Space Company was responsible for development
of Payload Unit and Home Port facilities, where sea launch facilities
are based (Long Beach, USA) and also marketing and interfaces with Customers.
S.P. Korolev RSC Energia – prime company in development
of entire Rocket Segment – was responsible for its equipment and integration
in the space rocket system Sea Launch, supported development and operation
of the Upper Stage, prelaunch processing and launch automated control
systems, US flight control system, measurement system, hyperholic components
and gas filling system, testing and mechanical and support equipment
for US jointly with cooperation, In cooperation with S.P. Korolev RSC
Energia over 30 Russian companies and Ukrainian ones participated in
activities with the Rocket Segment.
Norwegian company Barber Moss Maritime supports operation
of the Launch Platform and Assembly Command Ship.
SDO “Yuzhnoye” and PO “Yuzhmash designed and manufactured
two stages of LV Zenit-2S for ILV Zenit-3SL.
Control of prelaunch processing and launch was performed
via radio links from the control center at Assembly Command Ship. Automated
countdown program was started 5 hours prior to launch. The last group
of specialists servicing the lift-off and Launch Platform crew were
cleared off the Platform by helicopter to the ACS 3 hours prior to lift-off.
Upper Stage DM-SL and SC flight time starting with lift-off
to the separation was about 119 min.
Control of the Upper Stage and SC flight was supported
by MCC-M, Korolev, Moscow Area, real-time control group of RSC Energia
specialists. Yu.P. Semenov, RSC Energia President, General Designer
and Academician of Russian Academy of Science and Managers and specialists
from the Corporation and subcontractors were at MCC-M control room.
Itwas the fifth launch from Odyssey platform. The forth
took place on July 29, 2000, the first – March 28, 1999.
The next launch on the Sea Launch project is scheduled
on January 2001.
