Contamination blamed for Proton failure
Posted: Fri, Apr 28, 2006, 8:40 AM ET (1240 GMT)
The failed launch of a communications satellite on a Proton rocket nearly two months ago has been blamed on contaminants in an upper-stage propellant system, Russian investigators announced this week. The Proton M lifted off March 1 from Baikonur, carrying the Arabsat 4A satellite. The launch initially appeared to go well, but the payload was stranded in an elliptical transfer orbit when the upper stage engine shut down prematurely during the second in a series of planned burns. Russian investigators said they believe the shutdown was caused when a "foreign particle" blocked a nozzle in a hydraulic pump, shutting down the flow of oxidizer to the engine. Corrective actions to prevent the problem from taking place on future launches will be implemented by the end of May. International Launch Services, which markets the Proton to commercial customers, said they hope to resume Proton M launches by July.
The failed launch of a communications satellite on a Proton rocket nearly two months ago has been blamed on contaminants in an upper-stage propellant system, Russian investigators announced this week. The Proton M lifted off March 1 from Baikonur, carrying the Arabsat 4A satellite. The launch initially appeared to go well, but the payload was stranded in an elliptical transfer orbit when the upper stage engine shut down prematurely during the second in a series of planned burns. Russian investigators said they believe the shutdown was caused when a "foreign particle" blocked a nozzle in a hydraulic pump, shutting down the flow of oxidizer to the engine. Corrective actions to prevent the problem from taking place on future launches will be implemented by the end of May. International Launch Services, which markets the Proton to commercial customers, said they hope to resume Proton M launches by July.
Related Links:
| <<previous article | next article>> |
|
news in brief
|
|
|
|
news links
|
|
Tuesday, May 26
SpaceX Targeting Tuesday Morning Falcon 9 Starlink Launch from Vandenberg
KMIR-TV Palm Springs, CA — 3:08 am ET (0708 GMT) Blue Origin gets green light for next flight after New Glenn failure
WFTV Orlando — 3:05 am ET (0705 GMT) SpaceX investors beware: Elon Musk’s Mars plan may be pie in the sky
The Daily Telegraph — 3:04 am ET (0704 GMT) Virgin Galactic Space Flight Start Stays on Track
Orange County (CA) Business Journal — 3:02 am ET (0702 GMT) Opinion: Artemis II Mission Reignites Wonder For Moon Exploration
Aviation Week — 3:00 am ET (0700 GMT) |
