We have had a successful mission with the Proton M Breeze M rocket, carrying the TURKSAT-4A satellite built by Mitsubishi Electric Corporation, (MELCO). We have confirmation that the satellite separated from the vehicle on schedule at 1:22 a.m. EST, or 12:22 GMT, approximately 9 hours and 13 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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We have confirmed that the Breeze M upper stage has successfully completed its 3rd and 4th burn, 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 1:00 a.m. EDT, or 06:00 GMT and last approximately 9 minutes. Separation of the TURKSAT-4A spacecraft is scheduled to follow the 5th burn completion by about 13 minutes.

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As the Breeze M upper stage of our ILS Proton M rocket continues its climb into space with the TURKSAT-4A satellite, 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 about 15 minutes; after that the additional propellant tank will be jettisoned, and the 4th burn will start. All this will happen in a span of about 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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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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We had a successful liftoff about 9 minutes ago of our ILS Proton M Breeze M rocket, which is carrying the TURKSAT-4A 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 4 and a half minutes.

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We have liftoff! of the ILS Proton M Breeze M rocket and the TURKSAT-4A satellite.

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Today is the day!  In approximately T-5 hours the ILS Proton is scheduled to lift off with the TURKSAT-4A satellite. Approval to prepare the launch vehicle has been given and the mission teams are moving into their secure locations. Go Proton!   

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Today, the ILS Proton stands vertical at Launch Pad 24.  With the assistance of the enormous mobile service tower final checks are being made to the Proton rocket.  TURKSAT-4A is safely enclosed and its environment is constantly monitored.   Tests will continue followed by the launch countdown rehearsal and the State Commission to approve the go for launch.  With just over a day to go, the anticipation is building!

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Today, aside from liftoff, is by far the most spectacular sight.  Watching as the Proton rolls to the launch pad and is made vertical is always impressive.  It has taken an enormous amount of effort by the mission teams to get to this point.  The campaign is in single digits as we await the launch of TURKSAT-4A!

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On a very cold February 9th, at approximately 8:00am, the Proton rocket with TURKSAT-4A left Hall 111 via railcar heading for the Breeze M fueling station.  After two days, fueling is now complete and rollout to Launch Pad 24 will take place tomorrow.  Some team members took the opportunity to visit the Gagarin Museum today.  The museum is located within the Baikonur Cosmodrome and houses many artifacts including a Sputnik model, Yuri Gagarin’s uniform as well as a Russian Buran Space Shuttle replica.   

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