23 Nov 2014

Breeze M Fueling

Breeze M Fueling
It’s that time….One A2G ILV ready for BM Fueling.  Today the ILV was transferred out of H111 to the BM Fueling area.  As we know fueling is a hazardous operation so the entire team has been relocated to our respective hotels for the duration of operations. These two days are when most team members take the opportunity to recharge, regroup, and unwind.  Some of the team will head into Baikonur-town for a day trip, catch up over lunch and perhaps even buy some Christmas presents for their loved ones at home. Others however will stay at the hotels, catch up with additional tasks/projects and naturally prepare for the upcoming operations….they are checking their lists….twice!

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20 Nov 2014

Integration of Proton M Ascent Unit and Mating with Breeze M for Astra 2G Launch Completed

Launch operations for the Astra 2G ILS Proton launch continue on schedule. Since late last week, the Khrunichev, ILS, SES and Airbus teams have been in the process of assembling the Ascent Unit (AU) including the mating of the Astra-2G spacecraft with the Breeze M upper stage (US) at the 92-А50 Integration & Testing Facility (ITF). On Monday, the final operations with the AU were carried out including electrical checkouts of the SC+US stack and installation of the payload fairing halves. In accordance with the schedule, the AU was transferred to the assembly hall and was mated with the Proton M launch vehicle.

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19 Nov 2014

Joint Operations Begin!

Joint Operations Begin!
Joint operations have started! What a day it was yesterday. A collective, dedicated team effort along with a well-orchestrated plan provided for smooth transparent operations. The final product is the orbital unit sitting in the tilter in all its glory! Today it will be tilted (very carefully) into the horizontal position.  A plethora of activities will take place over the next few days, all of which will culminate into an Ascent Unit (SC enclosed by the Payload Fairing).

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10 Nov 2014

SC Fueling Operations – Day 1

Success! Day 1 of SC Fueling is complete.
For most of the launch campaign team it was a day to catch up on projects, rest and to recharge the batteries. For the Airbus Propulsion team it was an early start to a long day spent fueling the first tank of the A2G satellite. The team will be back at it again tomorrow to finish up the first of two commodities.

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