ILS Booth

The booth is a great success with lots of visitors. Stop by for a latte or espresso at our little café, inside the booth.
[img]http://www.ilslaunch.com/assets/Images/Media/Satellite-08-BLOG/boothpic3.jpg[/img]

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And it begins…

It’s here! The biggest satellite industry trade show of the year. This afternoon we had our ceremony for the signing of the Al Yah Satellite Communications Co. (Yahsat) contract. Even though the contract was formally signed at the end of 2007, we decided to celebrate it this week since all parties were going to be in town for the show.

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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. The few parties we have throughout the campaign are a great time for team members to relax, cut loose and bond in activities not directly related to the spacecraft or launch vehicle operations. As with any Russian get-together our party was not complete without a number of toasts made by KhSC, ILS and Orbital. Some team members decided to head out early, while the hardiest of us danced away into the night. [img]http://www.ilslaunch.com/assets/Images/Media/Thor-5/PLAmate2small.jpg[/img] Because standalone operations were at an end, we had no choice but to start joint operations on Jan. 28 with the mating of the THOR 5 Spacecraft to the KhSC payload adapter (or PLA). The PLA allows the spacecraft to rest comfortably on top of the Breeze M, which is the upper stage of the Proton M launch vehicle. The PLA also houses the Saab-built separation system, which will gently separate THOR 5 from the Breeze M when it reaches its destined geostationary orbit. Stay tuned for more updates regarding joint operations; including mating the SC/PLA assembly to the Breeze M, and the encapsulation of the whole structure into what we call the Ascent Unit or AU.

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Takin’ Care of Business

After a leisurely and uneventful 5-hour train ride, the spacecraft and its support equipment made it safe and sound to Building 92A-50. And yes, as the song says, it is now time for “takin’ care of business,” that business being preparation of the SC and the rocket for final assembly together. Many warm and rested personnel were on hand to meet the SC, unpack the train cars and begin a week’s worth of what is commonly known as stand-alone testing. It is a busy time for everyone involved in the campaign as the three stages of the Proton booster have been delivered to Khrunichev.

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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. ILS’ mission is now complete. Thank you for joining us for another successful launch! [url=http://www.ilslaunch.com/ils/news-021108/]Click here[/url] for the press release. [url=http://streamvox.streamos.com/vyvx/ils021008/]Full 45-minute launch broadcast[/url] [url=http://www.ilslaunch.com/ils/thor-cbl.wmv]Click to view launch video clip[/url] [url=http://www.ilslaunch.com/news-020508/]Media Advisory[/url]

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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. Next up – burn Number 3 and subsequent shutdown, which should be in about two hours from now.

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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. We’ll update this blog and the hotline when we receive confirmation of the Breeze M second burn. That should be in about an hour. [url=http://streamvox.streamos.com/vyvx/ils021008/]Full 45-minute launch broadcast[/url] [url=http://www.ilslaunch.com/ils/thor-cbl.wmv]Click to view launch video clip[/url] [url=http://www.ilslaunch.com/ils/news-020508/]Media Advisory[/url]

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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. Most of the team traveled to the pad a few hours after the transportation of the ILV began. We arrived just in time to witness the Russian specialists undertake the monumental task of erecting this huge rocket. Of course, we were not going to miss our chance to take a team photo in front of such an impressive sight. The Orbital, Telenor, ILS and KhSC teams are now completing final closeouts and checks, as well as rehearsing for Sunday’s long-awaited launch of the Proton M/Breeze M and THOR 5. [img]http://www.ilslaunch.com/assets/Images/Media/Thor-5-BLOG/DSC0064small.jpg[/img]

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Contact Us!

For the latest news and information, or if you have a question, please email ILS at contactus@ilslaunch.com