A Russian State Commission concluded that during the September 6 JCSAT-11 mission on Proton, a damaged cable prevented activation of the pyro bolts that were to have separated the first and second stages of the rocket. Proton flights resume this Thursday (October 25) with a Russian federal mission to orbit three Glonass satellites.

ILS' independent Failure Review Oversight Board (FROB) reviewed the conclusions and corrective actions in early October and concurred with the commission's findings. ILS has begun a series of briefings for insurers and customers.

"As we have started the launch campaign for SIRIUS 4, we are focused on performance," said ILS President Frank McKenna. "We acknowledge the diligent effort from the people who enabled such a timely return to flight - the Russian State Commission; our partner, Khrunichev; our customer; the satellite manufacturer; the FROB members; and the U.S. Defense Technology Security Administration.

"With the launch teams now in Baikonur and the arrival of the satellite, we are proceeding steadily with diligence and determination toward a launch on 18 November," McKenna said.

Community
Email This Article
Comment On This Article

Related Links
International Launch Services
Launch Pad at Space-Travel.com