Return-to-Flight Communication
Investigation progress; FROB membership complete
April 2, 2008 – The Russian State Commission investigating the recent Breeze M failure reports that it is close to determining a root cause for the incident. The commission has been meeting regularly since March 18.
Meanwhile, all the members have been selected for the ILS Failure Review Oversight Board (FROB). Members include rocket and propulsion experts as well as representatives of the insurance industry, the affected customer and upcoming launch customers. ILS is in the process of submitting requests to the U.S. State Department for the various licenses required for the FROB meetings in Russia and for subsequent briefings to customers and insurers.
State Commission Led by Vladimir Rachouk
March 18, 2008 - Vladimir Rachouk will lead the Russian State Investigation Committee as Chairman. He is currently the General Director of KBKChA (Design Bureau of Chemical Automatics), Voronezh. The design bureau located together with Voronezh Mechanical Plant, manufactures the Proton second and third stage main engines. This committee will serve as the primary evaluation team to determine the cause of the anomaly. The first formal meeting was conducted early today.
Failure Review Oversight Board Formed
March 18, 2008 - ILS is finalizing the selection of members for the Failure Oversight Review Board (FROB). In accordance with standard industry practices, the FROB will review the findings of the Russian State Commission’s investigation and its corrective action plan.
The board will be chaired by Jim Bonner, ILS Vice President of Operations and CTO. Kevin Sloan, ILS launch operations director, will serve as the executive secretary. The remaining members will be comprised of industry specialists, participants from the affected mission and the return to flight mission campaigns, as well as an insurance industry representative.
Return-to-Flight Progress:
