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The Telstar-18 spacecraft (SC) is intended to render telecommunication
services including live TV broadcasting, and Internet access
for the users of the Asia Pacific region (South-East Asia,
Australia, New Zealand, the Pacific islands and also Hawaii).
The Telstar-18 SC is manufactured by the Space Systems/Loral
Company on the basis of platform LS1300 and has a mass of
4780 kg. SC is equipped with 16 Ku-band transponders and
38 C-band transponders. The nominal subsatellite point in
geostationary orbit is 138°E Long.
To perform the Telstar-18 SC launch the Zenit-2S launch
vehicle ¹ SL11 and DM-SL Upper Stage ¹11L were used. Zenit-2S
launch vehicle ¹ SL17 and DM-SL Upper Stage ¹13L were used
during the processing as "donors".
CHRONOLOGY OF ACTIVITIES
| May
13-23, 2004 |
Checks for operational status of the complex of automated
control systems of the processing and launch, measurement
complex and automated flight control system of the
Upper Stage (US).DM-SL US ¹11L tests. Preparation
of Zenit-2S LV ¹ SL11 for tests.
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| May
25, 2004 |
System readiness review for the Telstar-18 mission was
made at the Home Port. Based on the meeting results
a report on readiness of all structural units of the
Sea Launch Rocket and Space Complex for operations during
the forthcoming mission was signed. |
| May
24-30, 2004 |
Operations on the integrated systems and processing
equipment of the Rocket Segment:
-routine maintenance of the US automated flight control
system;
-maintenance of the assembly and command ship (ACS)
and launch platform (LP) processing equipment;
-preparation of the US fueling station on ACS;
-quality control of gases (helium, air, nitrogen)
and propellant components by the chemical laboratory
means.
Operations with DM-SL US ¹11L:
-integrated tests under the launch program;
-leak check of the main engine and pneudraulic system;
-mounting of the multiple ignition unit in US and
the onboard batteries installation;
-filling with kerosene and compressed gases;
-filling of the orbital launch system propulsion system
with oxidizer.
Tests of Zenit-2S LV ¹ SL11:
-telemetry system tests;
-LV pneumatic and electrical tests.
In the assembly and test building (facility) of the
Home Port the following was provided: autonomous
operations, tests and filling of the Telstar-18 SC
with the propellant components.
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| May
31 - June 6, 2004 |
Operations with DM-SL US ¹ 11L:
-orbital launch system propulsion system (OLS PS)
fueling;
-US mating with LV.
Operations with Zenit-2S LV ¹ SL11:
-completion of LV electrical tests;-provision of LV
mating with US.
Operations with Payload Unit (PLU):
-PLU assembly and testing in the assembly and test
building (facility);
-PLU roll-out from the assembly and test building
(facility) and delivery with the Telstar-18 SC to
ACS.
Operations with Zenit-3SL Integrated Launch Vehicle
(ILV) ¹SL11:
-autonomous tests of the LV and US digital computer
complex;
-checks of mechanical, electrical and pneudraulic
interfaces of ILV fully assembled.
|
| June
4, 2004 |
Holding of the first integrated rehearsal of the
prelaunch processing. Simulation of 6 off-nominal
situations during the rehearsal including the launch
abort 65 seconds before the Lift-Off command.
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| June 6-22,
2004 |
ILV
reloading from ACS to LP. Performance of operations
under the ILV "dry" roll-out program. LP and
then ACS transfer from the Home Port to the launch area.
During this sea transit the second integrated rehearsal
of the prelaunch processing was held on ACS using all
Sea Launch segments and structures. |
| June
23, 2004 |
During
the sea transfer to the launch area the final integrated
rehearsal of the prelaunch processing was held on ACS
with support of MCC in Korolev. Simulation of nominal
prelaunch processing and launch of the Integrated Launch
Vehicle (ILV) during the rehearsal. |
| June
25, 2004 |
ACS
and LP arrival in the launch area. Launch Platform ballast
trimming LP and ACS equipment preparation for the ILV
launch. |
| June
26, 2004 |
First
launch day activities: making the Rocket Segment
systems ready for activities in the launch area, ILV
processing, activities in the Launch Measurement Complex.
The Sea Launch RSC readiness review for activities in
the launch area and launch of Zenit-3SL ILV ¹ SL11 with
the Telstar-18 SC. |
| June
27, 2004 |
Second
launch day activities: the ILV preparation for roll-out
to the launch pad, LP orientation to the launch position,
ACS transfer to a nominal position w.r.t. LP, ILV roll-out
and erection on the launch pad, PLU autonomous checks,
ILV electrical checks, execution of the critical launch
readiness checklist. |
| June
28, 2004 |
Third launch day activities (Daylight saving Pacific
Time):
- 12:45 launch personnel delivery by a helicopter
to LP to perform the prelaunch operations;
- 14:59:00 "6h to LOC" command implementation;
- 15:59:00 "Program Start" command implementation,
start of nominal launch readiness checklist and
ILV fueling;
- 17:45 evacuation of the last group of the Rocket
and Sea Segments personnel by a helicopter from
LP;
- 20:58:59 17 "Lift-Off Contact" signal
passage.
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| June
29, 2004 |
At 03 h 58 min 59.17 s Greenwich Time (07 h 58 min
59.17 s Moscow Time) the fourteenth launch from the
Odyssey Launch Platform under the Sea Launch program
was performed. The LV I-st stage flight, stage separation,
II-nd stage flight, payload fairing jettison, orbital
module (US + PLU) separation were nominal by telemetry
information. The SC injection into geotransfer orbit
from intermediate suborbit to which the launch vehicle
delivered it together with the Upper Stage; was provided
according to the flight profile with two burns of
the US main engine. Upon implementation of these burns
the Telstar-18 SC was injected into geotransfer orbit
with the decreased apogee altitude. By the Loral Space
& Communication company data the SC onboard systems
operated normally, dynamic operations on deployment
of the solar array panels were performed and the SC
fuel reserves were sufficient enough for transfer
to the final orbital attitude and provision of the
given time required for active existence for no less
than 13 years.Performance of the US escape maneuver
to the storage orbit and its bringing to a safe state.
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| Post-flight
operations on LP and ACS. |
| June 30, 2004 |
Start of
the ACS and LP sea transfer to the Home Port. |
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