THOR 5 Blog
+ Mission Accomplished
We have confirmation that the fourth, and final, burn
sequence has been completed, and the Proton Breeze M
carrying THOR 5 has injected the satellite into
geostationary orbit.
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+ Third Burn is Done
The Breeze M has just successfully completed its third burn and shutdown phase, including jettison of the Additional Propellant Tank (APT). Now the space unit enters a long, 5-hour coast phase, and there will be nothing to report during that time. Then things will start happening in rapid sequence – check back later.
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+ Second Burn Complete
We have just received word that the second burn and shutdown
of the Breeze M upper stage occurred successfully.
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+ We have Liftoff!
The ILS Team is proud to announce the successful liftoff of
the Proton Breeze M carrying the THOR 5 satellite! Liftoff
occurred at 6:34 a.m. EST (5:34 p.m. Baikonur, 11:34 GMT).
Proton's three stages, including payload fairing jettison,
have performed flawlessly. The Breeze M upper stage has
completed the first of its four burns and is presently in a
circular parking orbit.
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+ Launch postponed
The launch has been postponed. The new launch time is 6:34 a.m. EST Monday, Feb. 11.
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+ Launcher in place
Yesterday the Proton M launch vehicle was transported from
our processing facility to Launch Pad 39 at the Baikonur
Cosmodrome. It began its trip to the pad at exactly 6:30
a.m., which is a Russian tradition because it corresponds to
the time the vehicle for Yuri Gagarin, the first human in
space, rolled out to the pad.
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+ Fairing well
Since the last update to this blog our team has been
extremely busy, as we are growing ever closer to Sunday's
launch of THOR 5. After the spacecraft was mated to the
payload adapter (PLA) the Breeze M was moved into position
on the tilter stand. Shortly after this occurred, the SC/PLA
assembly was moved on top of the Breeze M upper stage,
attached, and the whole assembly was tilted from a vertical
to a horizontal position.
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+ Media Advisory Available
The official Media Advisory has been released for the ILS Proton launch of THOR 5, including satellite coordinates for launch broadcast.
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+ Joint Operations
Jan. 25 marked a major milestone for the THOR 5 team.
Orbital’s propellant team successfully completed loading
the spacecraft with hydrazine fuel. This operation took the
better part of the day and, because it was potentially
hazardous, afforded another day of rest for most of the
team. We all look forward to the successful completion of
propellant loading operations, not just because it signifies
the end of spacecraft standalone operations and a continuing
positive progression of the launch campaign, but also
because it means we get to throw a Post-Fueling Party. This
feast occurred on Jan. 26.
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+ Safety first
This past week the team has been focused on with what we
call standalone operations. During this period Orbital
conducted mechanical and electrical tests on THOR 5 to
confirm that the spacecraft is operational and ready for its
trip into orbit. I am pleased to announce that these tests
were all completed successfully. THOR 5 is now being readied
to have its fuel tanks filled. This is a potentially
extremely hazardous operation, for which the very capable
Orbital propellant team has been carefully preparing.
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