Sea Launch Project

Loading of Zenit-2S LV No SL 4 1st and 2nd stages into ACS and their mating Preparing Upper Stage DM-SL No 13L for tests, test activations of thermostating system and US control system. Integrated tests of US control system. Processing activities on the Rocket Segment integrated systems and processing equipment.

Arrival of the Launch Plat form (LP) to the Home Port On the next day it is requested that maintenance work on the LP-based processing equipment should start.

Testing of the telemetry system, getting ready for pneumatic tests of Zenit-2S LV No SL 4. Test activations of the onboard systems, pneumatic tests of Pneumo-Hydraulic system and US main engine. Processing activities on the Rocket segment integrated systems and processing equipment.

Zenit-2S LV No SL 4 pneumatic tests and electrical tests, its preparation for mating with US. Carrying electric tests to completion, check of onboard tanks, leak checks of Equipment Bay, Pneumo-Hydraulic System for fuel supply and main engine, conduct of US protective operations. Processing activities on the Rocket segment integrated systems and processing equipment.

At the Home Port the scheduled Sea Launch Complex System Readiness Review (SRR) for Intelsat Americas-8 Mission implementation was conducted. Work Readiness Certificate for Intelsat Americas-8 Mission was signed.

Mass characteristics of SC Intelsat Americas-8 put into storage in a fuelled condition at the Assemby and Testing Facilities were formally confirmed.

The first integrated rehearsal of prelaunch processing, involving the Rocket Segment, Sea Segment and Customer’s operational personnel, was conducted. During the rehearsal several off-nominal operations were simulated.

Final operations following testing of Zenit-2S LV No SL 4, getting LV ready for mating with US. Upper Stage DM-SL No 13L tests involved the following: installation of onboard tanks, charging of Equipment Bay with air, filling of US with propellant components and compressed gases. US/LV mating, ILV assembly. Processing activities on the Rocket Segment integrated systems and processing equipment.

Check of the completely assembled Zenit-3SL ILV No SL 4. Preparation for and conduct of ILV electric tests, including Critical Launch Readiness Checklist. ILV reloading from ACS to LP. “Dry” roll-out of ILV to the launch pad, conduct of Critical Launch Readiness Check list of ILV on LP. Intelsat Americas-8 Mission Readiness Review.

LP sailing out from the Home Port to the launch site.

Preparation of the ACS – based Rocket Segment systems and equipment for the transit by sea.

ACS sailing out from the Home Port to the launch site.

Conducting the ACS – based integrated prelaunch processing rehearsal No 2 with all the Sea Launch Segments and subdivisions involved (simulated off-nominal situations)

Conducting the ACS – based real-time final integrated prelaunch processing rehearsal No 3 during its sea transit to the launch site with support from MCC-M (Korolev), operations centers in Dnepropetrovsk, NASA division, SC Customer and Launch Customer, Bruster Center and the TDRSS channels involved.

In the final section of the Sea transit the Rocket segment personnel initiated preliminary activities to get LP and ACS equipment ready for ILV launch (“Zero” launch day activities). LP and ACS arrival at the launch site. Launch Platform ballast trimming.

First launch day activities: making the Rocket Segment systems ready for the activities on the launch site. Review of Intelsat Americas-8 Mission Readiness for the launch site operations and ILV launch (LRR) was conducted.

Second launch day activities: 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 anto the launch pad, PLU stand-alone checks, ILV electrical checks, execution of the Critical Launch Readiness Checklist.

Third launch day activities: Performance of prelaunch processing final operations, including launch personnel delivery by a helicopter to LP, Flight Readiness Checklist execution, ILV fuelling and final evacuation of the Rocket and Sea Segment personnel from LP by the helicopter.

At 18 hours 02 minutes 59, 465 seconds Moscow Time (14 hours 02 minutes 59, 465 seconds Greenwich Mean Time) the seventeenth launch from the Odyssey launch platform under the Sea Launch Program was performed. Spacecraft Intelsat Americas-8 was injected into its target geostationary orbit with a high accuracy.Post-flight operations at LP and ACS.

ACS and LP start their sea transit from the launch site back to the Home Part.