SIRIUS FM-5 Blog
+ End of SIRIUS FM-5 Mission
It is the end of another successful mission here at ILS. The ILS launch team members that were planning on returning to the US, have done so. Thanks to everyone who followed along with the blog. Please stay tuned because the next launch is already in preparation.
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+ SIRIUS FM-5 Mission Success!
We have had a successful mission with the Proton M Breeze M
rocket, carrying the SIRIUS FM-5 satellite built by Space
Systems Loral for SIRIUS XM Radio, Inc. We have had
confirmation that the satellite separated from the vehicle
on schedule at 12:24 AM Eastern Time, or 04:24 GMT, 9 hours
and 14 minutes after liftoff.
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+ SIRIUS FM-5 Third and Fourth Burn Completion
We have confirmed that the Breeze M upper stage has successfully completed its 3rd & 4th burns, as well as jettisoning its additional propellant tank. The vehicle is now in a 5-hour coast period, during which we will have nothing to report. The 5th burn is scheduled to start around 12:03 AM EDT, or 04:03 GMT. Separation of the SIRIUS FM-5 spacecraft is scheduled to follow the 5th burn completion by about 15 minutes.
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+ SIRIUS FM-5 Second Burn Completion
As the Breeze M upper stage of our Proton M rocket continues
its climb into space with the SIRIUS FM-5 satellite, we have
received confirmation that the 2nd burn of the upper stage
occurred and shut down as scheduled.
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+ SIRIUS FM-5 First Burn Completion
We have received confirmation of completion of the first
burn. The vehicle is now scheduled to be out of range for
about an hour, after which we will hear confirmation of the
second burn.
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+ SIRIUS FM-5 Stage Separations
We had a successful liftoff about 15 minutes ago of our Proton Breeze M rocket, which is carrying the SIRIUS FM-5 satellite. The three stages of the Proton vehicle have performed as planned, and it is up to the Breeze M upper stage to complete the mission. The upper stage has begun its first burn, which is scheduled to last around 7 minutes.
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+ SIRIUS FM-5 Liftoff!
We have liftoff! of the Proton M Breeze M rocket and the SIRIUS FM-5 satellite.
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+ Joint Operations
Joint operations started with the mating of the spacecraft to the payload adapter and Breeze M upper stage. After a successful tilt into horizontal position, final checks were made of Sirius FM-5, before it was encapsulated by the two halves of the payload fairing. As we say ‘До свидания!’ [da svi∙dan∙ya] to the spacecraft (at least visually), we also say ‘Bon voyage!’ to the Loral mechanical and propulsion teams, who have left the Cosmodrome and are heading back to California. We will miss you all!
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+ Fueling Days
The SC team successfully completed their first day of
propellant loading on Friday. Saturday is a preparation day
for the second day of fueling, which takes place on Sunday.
The Breeze M is also making its way to its fueling station
for fueling on Sunday before making its way back to Hall 101
for the beginning of Joint Operations next week.
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+ Volleyball and Taco Night
Thursday night featured a duo of events for the Launch Team:
an international friendly volleyball game (SS/Loral versus
Khrunichev) and an international cuisine. The report has
come back that the Russians narrowly defeated the Americans
in a tightly fought battle. Unfortunately there is no
photographic record of this match, as there arose some
unexpected camera difficulties. A rematch will take place
sometime in the near future, as our colleagues from DB
Salyut and ZERKT arrive this weekend and will be able to
supplement the Khrunichev squad. As Loral and Khrunichev
were battling it out on the volleyball court, ILS was
cooking up a storm at the Polyot kitchen in preparation for
burrito night in appreciation of all of our Pinkerton
guards. Burrito night was a resounding success and
everyone’s stomach wished that the food was not quite so
good, since more than one person left the table with an
over-full belly.
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