March 17, 2008
TO: ILS Customers
SUBJECT: Unsuccessful Proton Launch of AMC-14; Initial Status Report
I would like to convey what information we have available following the unfortunate failure of the Proton Breeze M to place the AMC-14 spacecraft into the planned orbit on 15 March. This is obviously a significant disappointment for ILS. We share the disappointment with SES AMERICOM, LMCSS (manufacturer of the AMC-14 spacecraft), the end-user EchoStar, and the many others who contributed to this mission. We have extended our apologies to all who worked hard to make this mission happen.
The mission had proceeded nominally until the second burn of the Breeze M upper stage. The Breeze M suffered an anomaly that caused it to shut down early. In accordance with Proton emergency procedures, the spacecraft was then safely separated from the Breeze M upper stage.
Immediately after the incident, a Russian State Commission was formed to review all available data and begin a formal failure investigation. The commission chairman is Vladimir Rachouk, General Director of KBKChA (Design Bureau of Chemical Automatics), Voronezh. This is a design bureau located together with Voronezh Mechanical Plant, manufacturer of the Proton second/third stage main engines.
In the meantime, ILS is establishing its Failure Review Oversight Board (FROB), which will be chaired by Jim Bonner, ILS Vice President of Operations and CTO. The FROB will meet and review the findings and recommendations of the Russian State Commission once these are available. We will be diligent about keeping you informed of events as they occur throughout this review process.
Finally, on behalf of the ILS team and our partner, Khrunichev, I wish to note our true appreciation to ILS customers conveying sympathy and understanding in the immediate aftermath of this failure. ILS will return to flight only after we are completely satisfied that all appropriate measures have been taken and we can once again resume launching Proton Breeze M with full confidence of mission success.
Sincerely,
Frank McKenna
President
