Proton-M launch: Telkom-3 and Ekspress-MD2 lost after Briz-M failure
A Russian government
Proton-M rocket launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on
Monday, carrying two telecommunication satellites. The 19:31 GMT launch
of the workhorse of the Russian fleet involved the lofting of the
Telkom-3 and Ekspress-MD2 satellites on a several hour flight to their
orbital destination. However, both satellites were lost due to a
failure of the Briz-M upper stage.
Proton M Launch:
The Proton booster that launched the satellites was 4.1 m (13.5 ft)
in diameter along its second and third stages, with a first stage
diameter of 7.4 m (24.3 ft). Overall height of the three stages of the
Proton booster is 42.3 m (138.8 ft).
The Proton vehicle has a heritage of nearly 400 launches since 1965
and is built by Khrunichev Research and State Production Center. While
this mission was conducted by the Russian government, the Proton is
also used by International Launch Services (ILS).
The
first stage of the vehicle consists of a central tank containing the
oxidizer surrounded by six outboard fuel tanks. Each fuel tank also
carries one of the six RD-276 engines that provide first stage power.
Total first stage vacuum-rated level thrust is 11.0 MN (2,500,000 lbf).
Of a conventional cylindrical design, the second stage is powered by
three RD-0210 engines plus one RD-0211 engine and develops a vacuum
thrust of 2.4 MN (540,000 lbf).
Powered by one RD-0213 engine, the third stage develops thrust of
583 kN (131,000 lbf), and a four-nozzle vernier engine that produces
thrust of 31 kN (7,000 lbf). Guidance, navigation, and control of the
Proton M during operation of the first three stages is carried out by a
triple redundant closed-loop digital avionics system mounted in the
Proton’s third stage.
The Proton-M vehicle launched without issue.
The Briz-M Breeze-M upper stage was the Phase III variant, a recent
upgrade which utilizes two new high-pressure tanks (80 liters) to
replace six smaller tanks, along with the relocation of command
instruments towards the centre – in order to mitigate shock loads when
the additional propellant tank is being jettisoned.
Monday’s launch – delayed several times from May, ironically due to
problems with the Upper Stage – was scheduled to utilize four burns of
the Briz-M (model 99531) to loft its two passengers to their GTO
destination.
However, Russian Space Agency Roscosmos released a statement,
around the time spacecraft separation confirmation was due, noting both
satellites did not make it to the transfer orbit, citing a problem with
one of the Briz-M burns.
A Russian media report, via RIA Novosti, then confirmed both satellites are considered lost, adding to the Briz-M’s failure history that includes the loss of the Ekspress-AM4 satellite last year, although it did enjoy 12 nominal missions since that lost.
The original plan was to launch Telkom-3 with the Yamal-300K
satellite, using the 74·5 degree azimuth to a 48 degree initial orbit.
In turn, Ekspress-MD2 was to be launched with Ekspress-AM8. However, the failure of the JCSAT-11 mission, led to the closure of the 48 degree orbit.
The
Telkom-3 Satellite was built by ISS-Reshetnev with its communication
equipment made by Thales Aleniaspace. It was designed to cater for the
increasing demand of transponder in the development of Indonesia’s
satellite business service, particularly for the Telkom Group who have
invested $200m into the project.
“Telkom-3 Satellite is designated not only for commercial purpose
and for satellite capacity improvement in enhancing ICT infrastructure
quality but also for the government needs such as defense and security
(military) and for the support of operations of state-owned firms as
well,” said Rinaldi Firmansyah, President of Telkom.
The Telkom-3 Satellite had a capacity of 42 active transponders,
consisting of 24 transponders at 36MHz Standard C-band, 8 transponders
at 54 MHz C-band and 4 transponders at 36 MHz, along with 6
transponders at 54 MHz Ku-Band.
This was the first time Indonesia has purchased a satellite from
Russia, adding to their fleet that includes the Telkom-2 satellite,
that was launch by an Ariane 5 in 2005.
The
Express MD2 was a small communication satellite, designed and
fabricated by the Khrunichev State Research and Production Space Center
under a contract with Russian Satellite Communications Company(RSCC)
and Thales Alenia Space of Italy.
The contact was within the framework of the Program of Renovation of
Russian State Civilian Satellite Orbital Constellation and the Federal
Space Program of Russia for 2006-2015.
The satellite was designed to relay, round-the-clock, data streams
to multiple users within the Russian Satellite Communications and
Broadcasting System and sports 8 C-band-transponders and 1 L-band
transponder. The 1,140 kg satellite was expected to have a service life of 10 years.
