Sea Launch Project
High Spots
Inmarsat-4 Launch
The Inmarsat-4 mission preparation began in September 2005 even before the completion of operations on annual maintenance of the Rocket Segment systems and equipment. The use of Zenit-2S LV ¹SL19 and Block DM-SL ¹20L was planned to launch the Inmarsat-4 SC.
CHRONOLOGY OF ACTIVITIES
September 5 – October 24, 2005 |
Activities at the Home Port:
- Rocket Segment systems and equipment processing for activities at the Home Port and in the launch area;
- Block DM-SL ¹20L processing, testing and fueling;
- Zenit-2S LV ¹SL19 processing and testing;
- Block DM-SL ¹14L (donor US) processing and testing;
- Zenit-2S LV ¹SL15 (donor LV) processing and testing;
- Assembly and testing of ILV as a part of Zenit-2S LV ¹SL19, Block DM-SL ¹20L and PLU with the Inmarsat-4 SC;
- Block DM-SL ¹14L is transferred to the storage mode on ACS;
- Check of the Rocket Segment with ILV “dry roll-out”.
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October 25-31, 2005 |
ACS and LP passage to the launch area. Activities in the sea passage phase:
- system and assembly parameter monitoring on LP and ACS;
- ntegrated demonstration tests on ACS with involvement of all the Sea Launch Segments and structures.
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November 1, 2005 |
ACS and LP arrival in the launch area. |
November 2-7, 2005 |
Activities in the launch area:
- equipment prelaunch maintenance;
- Rocket Segment systems bringing to readiness for activities in the launch area;
- ILV processing;
- processing of the Upper Stage (as a part of ILV);
- ILV roll-out and its installation on the launch pad;
- ILV electrical checks and provision of critical launch readiness checklist, results analysis.
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November 8, 2005 |
- ILV prelaunch processing and launch;
- communication sessions with US;
- systems and assemblies bringing to the initial state.
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November 8, 2005 |
At 17h 07 min, Moscow time (06h 07 min, Pacific standard time) a launch was performed from the Odissey launch platform. The Inmarsat-4 spacecraft was injected into the calculated orbit. |
Postfligth operations, a start of passage to the Home Port. |
LAUNCH RESULTS
The Inmarsat-4 spacecraft was injected into the calculated orbit:
Perigee altitude, km |
Apogee altitude, km |
Inclination, deg. |
310 |
35786 |
3 |