09 May 2012

Nimiq 6 | Russian Holiday During the Campaign… Check!

It is May 9, and this is one of the most memorialized days in Russian History.  It is Victory Day, the day that marks the end of World War II.  Just as Memorial Day is in America, this is a day of celebrating the veterans of the war, in particular, the many who were lost.  It was an honor to be a part of this day with our Russian friends and colleagues.

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08 May 2012

Nimiq 6 | Putting It All Together… Check!

As we get closer to our launch date, the number of activities is increasing…
 
One of the more “technical” operations that we have to perform is signing the payload fairing.  The biggest decision is what to write and to whom one dedicates his or her message. Traditionally designees are parents, children and loved ones. All of the names on the fairing are, in essence, tributes from the launch team members.

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07 May 2012

Nimiq 6 | Mobile Service Tower

A great day to head to the 8th floor of the Mobile Service Tower as we conducted a Radio Frequency check between the Control room and Tower simulating the spacecraft. This is essentially a detailed safety exercise and also ensures that data is not compromised.
There was also a couple of nesting hawks taking turns flying off on food runs, while looking at us as if we were were intrusive squatters.
 

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01 May 2012

Nimiq 6 | Stand Alone Operations Complete… Check!

The standalone operations have quickly drawn to a close. The propellant (prop) team has methodically and flawlessly completed the critical operation of fueling the spacecraft (SC). This milestone also signifies the preparations for joint operations. All SC electrical testing was completed, and final pre-launch closeouts and inspections are underway. The spacecraft was then lifted onto the transporter for the short journey from Hall 103A to Hall 101.

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24 Apr 2012

ILS Proton Successfully Launches Y1B Satellite for Yahsat Fourth Proton Launch in Less than 3 Months

BAIKONUR COSMODROME, Kazakhstan, April 24, 2012– International Launch Services (ILS), a leading launch services provider for the global commercial satellite industry, successfully carried the Y1B satellite into geostationary transfer orbit today on an ILS Proton for Al Yah Satellite Communications (Yahsat) of Abu Dhabi. This was third ILS Proton launch so far this year and the 72nd ILS Proton launch overall.

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24 Apr 2012

Y1B | Mission Success

We have had a successful mission with the ILS Proton Rocket, carrying the Y1B satellite built by Thales Alenia Space and Astrium. We have had confirmation that the Y1B satellite separated from the vehicle on schedule at 3:30 a.m. EDT, or 07:30 GMT, 9 hours and 12 minutes after liftoff.
Everything occurred as planned with ignition, shutdown and separation of the Proton’s first three stages. Then the Breeze M upper stage with the satellite continued the mission, igniting five times, and then releasing the satellite into transfer orbit.
 

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23 Apr 2012

Y1B | Stage Separations

We had a successful liftoff about 11 minutes ago of our ILS Proton M Breeze M rocket, which is carrying the Y1B satellite on board. 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 5 minutes.

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23 Apr 2012

Y1B | Breeze M MECO 1

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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23 Apr 2012

Y1B | Breeze M MECO 2

As the Breeze M upper stage of our Proton M rocket continues its climb into space with the Y1B satellite onboard, we have received confirmation that the 2nd burn of the upper stage occurred and shut down as scheduled.
The next events are scheduled for about 2 hours from now. The Breeze M upper stage will ignite for a 3rd time and burn for approximately 11 minutes; after that the additional propellant tank will be jettisoned, and the 4th burn will start and complete. All this will happen in a span of almost 20 minutes while the vehicle is again out of range of a ground station. We should reacquire the vehicle shortly after the 4th burn ends.
 

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