Astra 2E launch may be delayed (Proton M Launch Failure: Merged)

[M60]

A couple of Russian news agencies have started speculating a new date of 30th September from sources close to the launch teams. Nothing is official from Roscosmos or ILS yet though.

 

[adonis1]

Nothing is official from Roscosmos or ILS yet though.

ILS PROTON LAUNCH OF ASTRA 2E POSTPONED

Reston, VA, September 12, 2013 – The launch of an ILS Proton launch vehicle with the ASTRA 2E satellite was postponed today for technical reasons associated with the launch vehicle. The satellite is being launched for SES of Luxembourg and was built by Astrium. The launch date will be determined at a later time.

On September 11, Khrunichev engineers at the launch site received an out of tolerance reading in the first stage of the vehicle. It was determined that further investigation is necessary, requiring the launch vehicle be returned to the processing hall for additional testing. The vehicle and satellite remain in a safe configuration at the launch site.

http://www.ilslaunch.com/newsroom/news-releases/ils-proton-launch-astra-2e-postponed

 

[M60]

ILS PROTON LAUNCH OF ASTRA 2E POSTPONED

Reston, VA, September 12, 2013 – The launch of an ILS Proton launch vehicle with the ASTRA 2E satellite was postponed today for technical reasons associated with the launch vehicle. The satellite is being launched for SES of Luxembourg and was built by Astrium. The launch date will be determined at a later time.

On September 11, Khrunichev engineers at the launch site received an out of tolerance reading in the first stage of the vehicle. It was determined that further investigation is necessary, requiring the launch vehicle be returned to the processing hall for additional testing. The vehicle and satellite remain in a safe configuration at the launch site.

http://www.ilslaunch.com/newsroom/news-releases/ils-proton-launch-astra-2e-postponed

Spotted this later on today, there's no mention of date but on this press release, as per some other translated ones a source reports a possible return to launch date of the 30th September at the earliest. All speculation I guess, obviously we wait on ILS's official line
http://en.ria.ru/russia/20130912/183387280/Proton-Launch-Delayed-Over-Tech-Glitch--Operator.html

 

[solly]

A3960/13 - QWMLW THE RUSSIAN FEDERAL SPACE AGENCY PLANS TO LAUNCH A MISSILE INTO SPACE AND TO SINK ITS FRAGMENTES IN THE WATERS OF THE PACIFIC OCEAN. CHARACTERISTICS OF IMPACT AREA: N2515.0 E16000.0 N2600.0 E16045.0 N2330.0 E16335.0 N2245.0 E16248.0 N2515.0 E16000.0 IN THE INTEREST OF SAFETY ALL NON-PARTICIPATING AIR TRAFFIC ARE ADVISED TO AVOID THE NOTAMED AREA. IFR AIRCRAFT UNDER ATC JURISDICTION SHOULD ANTICIPATE CLEARANCE AROUND THE NOTAMED AREA. SFC - UNL, DAILY 2130-2300, 17 SEP 21:30 2013 UNTIL 19 SEP 23:00 2013. CREATED: 12 SEP 17:25 2013

 

[Gefiltefish]

"ALL NON-PARTICIPATING AIR TRAFFIC ARE ADVISED TO AVOID THE NOTAMED AREA....". After the last launch, I am sure they need no warnings. Most of us will be hidden under our respective tables wherever we are.

 

[solly]

i belive next weekend will be more info about new date of launch

 

[M60]

i belive next weekend will be more info about new date of launch

I presume you mean by a week today Solly?? Hopefully once Khrunichev engineers at the launch site get to the bottom of the abnormality they'll have a better idea of lead times. I guess there's a fair bit of paid overtime going on at Baikonur by Khrunichev staff this weekend!

ILS have updated the Astra 2E 'Mission status' page with a generic launch date now of just 'September 2013'. They are obviously optimistic of a date still within this Month.

 

[solly]

photo of launch astra 2e

 

[skomedal]

photo of launch astra 2e

Do not think it ( Astra 2E ) is launch yet!
Maybe piccies refer to Astra 2E launch preparations.

Regards

 

[solly]

the launch will be ready for now 30 September

 

[skomedal]

Just a vague date on the ILS website ( september 2013 ).
http://www.ilslaunch.com/mission-control/mission-astra-2e

 

[solly]

also news room astra 2e delay postponed it gone
http://www.ilslaunch.com/newsroom/news-releases/ils-proton-launch-astra-2e-postponed

 

[MARK]

@ solly....getting,You are not authorized to access this page.

 

[skomedal]

So what can you base your theoretic launch date ( 30 september ) on?

 

[skomedal]

@ solly....getting,You are not authorized to access this page.

Same here the page/report has been deleted for some reason, it was there this morning

 

[M60]

Same here the page/report has been deleted for some reason, it was there this morning

I noticed yesterday it had disappeared from the 'News' section of the main site, obviously the hyperlink still worked but they've removed the HTML page the link pointed to now. Maybe a new press release with launch date is imminent, thus wanting to banish any rumour of lengthy delays??

 

[solly]

let see after 18-19 septermber ils give new date
press rusia report it plan late September

 

[skomedal]

Sept. 30 Proton • ASTRA 2E
Launch time: TBD
Launch site: Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan

An International Launch Services Proton rocket with a Breeze M upper stage will deploy the ASTRA 2E satellite. ASTRA 2E will provide Ku-band and Ka-band broadcast and broadband services to Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Delayed from July 19, July 20, Sept. 15 and Sept. 16. [Sept. 12]

Link _http://spaceflightnow.com/tracking/

TBD stands for " to be determined "

Regards

 

[M60]

Sept. 30 Proton • ASTRA 2E
Launch time: TBD
Launch site: Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan

An International Launch Services Proton rocket with a Breeze M upper stage will deploy the ASTRA 2E satellite. ASTRA 2E will provide Ku-band and Ka-band broadcast and broadband services to Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Delayed from July 19, July 20, Sept. 15 and Sept. 16. [Sept. 12]

Link _http://spaceflightnow.com/tracking/

TBD stands for " to be determined "

Regards

This was speculated by a couple of Russian news agencies but nothing has yet been made official, this site appears to have lifted the same information.

Maybe today or tomorrow we'll hear from ILS with news of a revised launch date?

 

[solly]

Baikonur. September 19. INTERFAX.RU - Specialists Khrunichev Center at Baikonur completed the repair of the carrier rocket "Proton-M", where a week ago the fault was detected.

Currently retested system booster, after which the rocket will be transported to the technological gas station for refueling tanks low pressure booster.