Sea Launch Project
High Spots
Thuraya D3 Launch
Preparations for the Thuraya D3 mission started in September 2007.
The launch task was to deliver 5.17 t mass SC to geosynchronous transfer target orbit with an inclination of 6.2њ, estimated perigee altitude of 739.995 km and apogee altitude of 35796.538 km.
Zenit-2S LV ? SL25 and Block DM-SL ? 15L were used to launch the Thuraya D3 SC. Zenit-2S LV ? SL26 was preprocessed as a "donor".
CHRONOLOGY OF ACTIVITIES
| September 6 - October 28, 2007 |
Home Port activities:
- Tests of Zenit-2S LV ? SL25;
- Operations for Zenit-2S LV ? SL26 (donor);
- Tests, filling Block DM-SL ?15L with high-boiling propellant;
- The spacecraft processing;
- Integrated rehearsal ?1 with simulation of processing off-nominal situations;
- ILV integration and tests;
- ILV "dry roll-out" (installation on the launch pad and critical launch readiness checklist);
- Loading propellant components and compressed gases into ships.
|
| October 29 - November 10, 2007 |
Launch Platform and Assembly/Command Ship passage to the launch site. Activities in the sea passage phase:
- Integrated rehearsal ?2;
- Integrated rehearsal ?3 with comprehensive involvement of all the personnel and practically all standard and borrowed launch support and flight tracking facilities.
|
| November 10-27, 2007 |
Launch site activities:
- Making the Rocket Segment systems ready for the launch site activities;
- ILV processing;
- Launch measurement system activities;
- Integrated tests of the Upper Stage automated flight control system;
- ILV preparation for roll-out to the launch pad;
- Bringing the launch platform into the launch position;
- Bringing the assembly/command ship into the launch position;
- ILV roll-out and erection on the launch pad;
- ILV electrical checks;
- Critical launch readiness checklist;
- Operations with SC and PLU after performing protective operations in ILV;
- Testing communication channels;
- Bringing ILV into a safe condition, propellant drain in the launch platform tanks;
- Bringing the Complex systems into the initial condition;
- Because of unfavorable weather and oceanographic conditions preparation for a passage to the Home Port.
|
| December 15-28, 2008 |
Home Port activities:
- Implementation of measures to increase the launch capabilities;
- Rocket Segment systems and equipment preparation (in the reduced volume);
- Propellant components and compresses gases loading;
- ILV "dry roll-out".
|
| December 29, 2007 - January 9, 2008 |
Passage of the launch platform and assembly/command ship to the launch site. Activities in the sea passage phase:
- Integrated rehearsal ?4;
- Integrated rehearsal ?5 with comprehensive involvement of all the personnel and practically all standard and borrowed launch support and flight tracking facilities.
|
| January 9-15, 2008 |
Launch site activities:
- Assessment of oceanographic conditions;
- Making the Rocket Segment systems ready for the launch site activities;
- ILV processing;
- Launch measurement system activities;
- Integrated tests of the Upper Stage automated flight control system;
- ILV preparation for roll-out to the launch pad;
- Bringing the launch platform into the launch position;
- Bringing the assembly/ command ship into the launch position;
- ILV roll-out and erection on the launch pad;
- ILV electrical checks;
- Critical launch readiness checklist;
- Operations with SC and PLU after performing protective operations in ILV;
- Testing communication channels.
|
| January 15, 2008 |
At 03 hr 48 min, Pacific time (14 hr. 48 min, Moscow time) Zenit-3SL ILV ? SL25 with the Thuraya D3 SC was launched. All flight operations were performed nominally with minimum deviations from the schedule. The spacecraft was injected into the design orbit. After performing final operations the ships headed for the Home Port. |
LAUNCH RESULTS
The Thuraya D3 spacecraft has been injected into the calculated orbit:
Perigee altitude,
km |
Apogee altitude,
km |
Inclination,
deg. |
739.995 |
35796.538 |
6.2 |
)
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
