See also: Second ILS Proton Launch of 2007


The Khrunichev State Research And Production Space Centre press release is reproduced below:

07.08.2007 JCSAT 11 Telecommunications Satellite Arrives in Baikonur–Khrunichev Prepares its Proton Rocket For the First Time to Launch Satellite For Japan.


Preparations for the next Russian Proton Breeze M commercial launch, the third in this year, to deliver into orbit the JSAT Corp.’s JCSAT -11 satellite – a A2100 –based telecommunications spacecraft built by Lockheed Martin – are under way at cosmodrome Baikonur, Kazakhstan.

The Proton Breeze M launch with the next –generation JSAT satellite scheduled in September will be the first Proton commercial mission for Japan. International Launch Services Inc. will provide the launch services on Khrunichev –built Proton launch vehicle.

The spacecraft and the equipment needed for ground operations arrived at Yubileyny airport of the Baikonur cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, early this morning, 7 August, aboard an Antonov 124 “Ruslan” cargo plane operated by Russian “Polet” carrier.

On arrival, the load was unloaded and transported by rail into the vehicle assembly and testing building, MIK, site 92-50 of the cosmodrome, where in a clean room Lockheed Martin industrial team will perform pre –launch operations with the spacecraft. These will include autonomous checking of all JCSAT-11 systems and subsequent tests on the basic performance of the spacecraft.

The Proton M heavy–class carrier rocket, which will be used for the commercial mission with the JCSAT -11 satellite, arrived at cosmodrome earlier. The Khrunichev engineers began the routine assembly and test operations with the rocket’s stages in mid-June. The rocket is being prepared for launch of the same vehicle assembly building.

All pre–launch preparations are well under way according to schedule.

The Proton M is an upgraded version of the principal heavy-lift vehicle in Russian space programme, the Proton. The Proton vehicle has carried out more than 320 missions for the Russian government and commercial customers over nearly 40 years and it is among the most reliable boosters in the world.

JCSAT-11 is a commercial telecommunications satellite.JCSAT-11 will be a in orbit back up satellite which covering all JCSAT fleet throughout Japan, Asia-Pacific Region and Hawaii.

JSAT Corp is a leading satellite operator in the Asia-Pacific region. JSAT fleet consists of 9 geostationary satellites positioned in 8 orbital slots. JSAT provides communications and broadcasting services that offer a range of unique features made possible by satellite communications which is well suited to support the high-volume, wide-distribution, high-speed networks

ILS-International Launch Services Inc. is a joint venture of Space Transport Inc., Khrunichev State Research and Production Space Center and RSC Energia of Moscow. ILS is incorporated in Delaware in the U.S. and is headquartered in McLean, Va., a suburb of Washington, D.C.

Since 1996, ILS has conducted 41 commercial missions with the Proton vehicle (out of these, 26 launches on Proton K and 15 launches on Proton M). ILS has launched most commercial satellite platforms and worked with all major satellite operators.

Khrunichev Research and Production Space Center (KhSC) is the Moscow-based designer and manufacturer of the Proton vehicle family With over 90 years experience in aerospace technologies, KhSC is a pillar in Russian space industry and one of the world’s major manufacturer of space launch systems and heavy orbital modules.



Source: Khrunichev Press Release

The Khrunichev State Research And Production Space Centre press release is reproduced below:

14.08.2007 JCSAT 11 Launch Campaign Report: Breeze M Upper Stage for Proton M Rocket Delivered to Baikonur.

The Breeze M upper stage, supplied by Khrunichev, for the Proton M integrated launch vehicle - which will be used to launch JCSAT -11 satellite for Japan - has arrived today, on 14 August, at Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan.


The Breeze M was delivered in Jubileyniy airport, Kazakhstan, onboard a heavy transport airplane AN-124-100 Ruslan owned by the prime Russian carrier Polet.


The upper stage will be transported at assembly and testing Building 92A-50, where launch team from Krunichev Space Center - the Moscow based designer and manufacturer of the Russian Proton vehicle family- will start routine preparations to ready the upper stage for integration with the launch vehicle.


The other key components of the integrated space launcher - a core Proton rocket and JCSAT 11 satellite- has been undergoing pre- launch preparations at the same building.


The preparations for the JCSAT -11 launch scheduled on Khrunichev –made Proton rocket in September has been going smoothly.


JCSAT-11 is a commercial telecommunications satellite. JCSAT-11, built by Lockheed Martin Corp., will serve as a back up satellite for all JSAT Corporation fleet throughout Japan, Asia-Pacific Region and Hawaii.


International Launch Services will provide launch services on Khrunichev –built Proton rocket. ILS is a joint venture of Space Transport Inc., Khrunichev State Research and Production Space Center and RSC Energia of Moscow. ILS is incorporated in Delaware in the U.S. and is headquartered in McLean, Va., a suburb of Washington, D.C.

Source: Khrunichev Press Release

The Khrunichev State Research And Production Space Centre press release is reproduced below:

29.08.2007 JCSAT 11 Launch Campaign Enters Final Stage

The preparations for Proton M mission with JSCAT 11 telecommunications satellite enters decisive stages when Khrunichev- led international launch team has integrated the Space Head Unit ( made of the spacecraft, adapter, Breeze M upper stage and payload fairing) to Proton rocket and began today routine electrical checks of the Integrated Space Launch Vehicle (a combination of Space Head Unit , Proton Breeze M rocket and JCSAT 11 spacecraft) in Hall 101 of Assembly and Test Building 92-A50 (“MIK”).

According to the launch schedule, tomorrow, on August 30, the fully integrated space launch vehicle will be transferred from Hall 111 to technological fueling station for Breeze M upper stage fueling. The fueling of low -pressure tanks of Breeze M upper stage with propellants will last the next couple of days.

After this stage is completed, the Russian State Commission will be held on September 1st to verify the readiness of the Integrated Launch Vehicle for rolling out to the Launch Pad.

The JSAT Corp.’s JCSAT 11 spacecraft is scheduled to be launched aboard Proton M/Breeze M on September 6.

Source: Khrunichev Press Release

The International Launch Services press release is reproduced below:


Media Advisory: ILS Proton to Launch JCSAT-11

Payload: JCSAT-11, A2100 AX platform

Separated Mass: Approx. 4,000 kg (8,818 lbs)

Launch Vehicle: Proton M/Breeze M

Weight at liftoff: 691,272 kg (1.5 million lbs),including payload

Height: 57.2 m (186.6 ft)

Launch Time: 04:43 Sept. 6 Baikonur; 07:43 Sept. 6 Tokyo; 22:43 Sept. 5 GMT; 18:43 Sept. 5 EDT

Launch Site: Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan; Launch Pad 39

End User: JSAT Corporation, Tokyo, Japan

Satellite Manufacturer: Lockheed Martin Commercial Space Systems, Newtown, Penn.

Launch Vehicle Manufacturer: Khrunichev State Research and Production Space Center, Moscow

Launch Services Provider: International Launch Services (ILS), McLean, Va.

Satellite Use: Multipurpose communications satellite to serve as a backup satellite for the JSAT fleet. It will provide coverage over Japan, the Asia-Pacific region, Oceania and Hawaii.

Satellite Statistics:

• 30 active Ku-band transponders
• 12 active C-band transponders
• In-orbit backup satellite
• Anticipated service life of 15 years

Mission Profile: The Proton launch vehicle will inject the satellite into geosynchronous transfer orbit, using a four-burn Breeze M mission design. The first three stages of the Proton will use a standard ascent trajectory to place the Breeze M fourth stage, with the satellite, into a suborbital trajectory, from which the Breeze M will place itself and the spacecraft into a circular reference, or parking, orbit of 192 km (119.3 miles), inclined at 51.5 degrees. Then the satellite will be propelled to its transfer orbit by additional burns of the Breeze M. Following separation from the Breeze M, the spacecraft will perform a series of liquid apogee engine burns to raise perigee, lower inclination and circularize the orbit at the geostationary altitude of 35,786 km (22,236 miles).

Target Orbit at Separation: Apogee: 35,786 km (22,236 miles); Perigee: 5,032 km (3,139 miles); Inclination: 21.4 degrees

Spacecraft Separation: Approximately 6 hours, 56 minutes after liftoff.

ILS Mission Statistics:

• 1st Proton launch for Japanese customer
• 3rd ILS mission for 2007
• 42nd ILS mission on Proton
• 9th Proton launch of A2100 bus
• 327th Proton launch

Live Broadcast in North America: Galaxy 26, transponder 9, 93 degrees West, C-band, analog NTSC, downlink 3880 MHz (vertical). Test signals start at 6 p.m. EDT.

More Information: Live webcast and general mission information will be available on the ILS web site at www.ilslaunch.com. Launch status updates are available on the ILS U.S. domestic Launch Hotline at 1-800-852-4980.

Live Feed for Europe and Asia: New Skies NSS-7, transponder NAV6/EUH6, 338 degrees West, Ku-band, digital PAL downlink 11534.65 MHz (horizontal), symbol rate 2.46, fec: 3/4. Test signals start at 2200 GMT.

More Information: Live webcast and general mission information are available on the ILS web site at www.ilslaunch.com. Launch status updates are available on the ILS U.S. domestic Launch Hotline at 1-800-852-4980

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Source: ILS News Release

The International Launch Services press release is reproduced below:

ILS Declares Proton Launch Anomaly

BAIKONUR COSMODROME, Kazakhstan, Sept. 6, 2007 -- Khrunichev and International Launch Services regret to announce the failure of the Proton launch vehicle to put the JCSAT-11 satellite into proper orbit for JSAT Corporation.

The Proton Breeze M rocket lifted off at 4:43 a.m. today from the Baikonur Cosmodrome. The Proton launcher failed to inject JCSAT-11 into orbit due to an anomaly in second-stage operation.

A Russian State Commission is in the process of determining the reasons for the anomaly. ILS will release details when data become available. A copy of the official statement released by Khrunichev, which manufactures the Proton, will also be made available upon translation. In parallel with the State Commission, ILS will form its own Failure Review Oversight Board. The FROB will review the commission's final report and corrective action plan, in accord with U.S. and Russian government export control regulations.

ILS remains committed to providing reliable, timely launch services for all its customers. To this end, ILS will work diligently with its partner Khrunichev to return Proton to flight as soon as possible

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Contact: Fran Slimmer, International Launch Services, McLean, Va.; +1-571-633-7462; mobile: +1-646-229-4801; f.slimmer@ilslaunch.com

Source: ILS News Release

The Khrunichev State Research And Production Space Centre press release is reproduced below:

06.09.2007 Proton Launch Vehicle Fails to Place JCSAT -11 Telecommunication Satellite Into Orbit

The Proton Breeze M rocket carrying JSAT Corp.’s of Japan JCSAT-11 telecommunications satellite lifted off at 4:43 a.m. today (at 2:43 Moscow Time, 6 September) from the Baikonur Cosmodrome. The Proton launcher failed to inject the satellite into orbit due to an anomaly in second-stage operation.

Khrunichev expresses its regret to JSAT Corp. and all partners involved in the mission.


The launch was carried out under the auspices of International Launch Services, a joint venture of Space Transport Inc., Khrunichev and RSC Energia set up to provide marketing, sales and mission management for Proton launches.


Shortly after the failure Russian State Agency formed a State Commission to investigate the anomaly and report on the results of its findings. The commission will determine the causes of the launch failure and work up its recommendations for a corrective action plan to prevent such anomalies in the future.

Khrunichev State Research and Production Space Center– the Moscow -based designer and manufacturer of Proton launch vehicle --remains committed to fulfill in timely and efficient manner its obligations under the framework of federal programmes and international agreements. To this end, Khrunichev will work to return Proton Breeze M to safe flight as soon as possible.

Proton Breeze M is an upgraded version of the principal heavy –lift vehicle in Russia’s space programme, the Proton. With 40 years of its flight history and overall record of over 325 launches, Proton is among the world’s most reliable launch vehicles and has been widely used to insert governmental and commercial payloads into near- Earth orbits and escape trajectories.

Proton Breeze M version, operational since April 2001, is characterized by high power capacity and improved performance. The JCSAT 11 mission was the 17th Proton Breeze M flight overall.


Under ILS auspices Proton Breeze M has carried out 16 commercial missions out of which just two missions resulted in failure, since its inaugural commercial flight in 2002.

Source: Khrunichev Press Release

The International Launch Services press release is reproduced below:

ILS Establishes Failure Review Oversight Board For JCSAT-11 Mission

McLEAN, Va., Sept. 19, 2007 - International Launch Services (ILS) has established its independent Failure Review Oversight Board (FROB) that will review the results of the Russian State Commission's investigation into the Sept. 6 Proton launch vehicle failure.

A Proton M/Breeze M launcher, built by ILS partner Khrunichev State Research and Production Space Center of Moscow, failed during second-stage operation, a little more than two minutes into flight. It had lifted off from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan and was carrying the JCSAT-11 satellite. Debris from both launcher and satellite have been recovered from an uninhabited area about 50 kilometers from the town of Dzhezkazgan, Kazakhstan.

The FROB will be led by Jim Bonner, ILS Vice President of Programs and Operations and Chief Technical Officer. Kevin Sloan, ILS Launch Operations Director, will serve as executive secretary. The composition of the FROB includes three industry specialists (voting members), plus representatives from the affected mission and the return-to-flight mission - as well as an insurance industry representative - all of whom serve in an ex-officio, non-voting capacity.

The oversight board will be briefed by representatives of the Russian State Commission in Moscow upon completion of the commission's investigation. The FROB is chartered to independently review the methods, conclusions and corrective action recommendations of the Russian commission's investigation, and to report on the findings. The FROB does not conduct its own investigation.

All FROB activities are subject to U.S. government regulations. ILS is submitting a technical assistance agreement to the U.S. Department of State, which will provide authority to engage in discussions with Khrunichev regarding the mission.

Last week the Russian government announced the members of the official state commission that will investigate the failure. Anatoly Perminov, director of the Russian Space Agency (Roscosmos), will lead the commission. The group is made up of 18 top Russian space, military and other industry and government professionals.

ILS President Frank McKenna noted that "the appointment of such a senior figure in the Russian space sector as Mr. Perminov, along with the size and breadth of the committee itself, shows how committed the Russian government is to conducting a comprehensive investigation. It is clearly a priority of all the involved parties to reach an informed conclusion and return Proton to flight as soon as possible."

After the FROB concludes its review, under a separate licensing authority from the U.S. Department of State, ILS will provide briefings to customers and the insurance underwriting community.

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Contact: Fran Slimmer, International Launch Services, McLean, Va.; +1-571-633-7462; mobile: +1-646-229-4801; f.slimmer@ilslaunch.com

Source: ILS News Release

The International Launch Services press release is reproduced below:

RUSSIAN COMMISSION COMPLETES INVESTIGATION
Proton Launcher Returns to Flight with Glonass Mission

MOSCOW, October 11, 2007 - The Russian State Commission investigating the unsuccessful launch last month of a Proton vehicle carrying the JCSAT-11 satellite, determined that a damaged pyro firing cable on the interstage truss prevented the activation of the pyro bolts that were to have separated the first and second stages of the rocket.

Anatoly Perminov, head of the Russian Space Agency (Roscosmos) and chairman of the 18-member investigative commission, announced the findings after meeting with government officials in Kazakhstan. Proton launches will resume with a Glonass satellite mission for Roscosmos.

Members of the ILS Failure Review Oversight Board (FROB) began their review of the commission's findings in Moscow on Monday. The FROB does not conduct its own investigation, but independently reviews the methods, conclusions and corrective action recommendations of the Russian commission. ILS Vice President and CTO Jim Bonner, Chairman of the FROB, said, "I am very confident that the Russian State Commission was able to conclude its investigation thoroughly and in a timely manner. Having not only telemetry, but recovered hardware from the vehicle itself certainly facilitated the investigation and conclusions."

The FROB includes industry experts, representatives from JSAT Corporation and the next scheduled ILS customer, as well as space insurance representation. If the FROB is satisfied with the investigation and corrective actions, ILS commercial launches could resume as early as mid-November.

After the FROB concludes its review, under a separate licensing authority from the U.S. Department of State, ILS will provide briefings to customers and the insurance community.

ILS President Frank McKenna said, "We appreciate the full support of our customers during this recovery period, as we act with diligence and determination through the investigation and the return-to-flight activities with our partner, Khrunichev. We look forward to resuming launch services in the near term with complete assurance of mission success."

International Launch Services is the U.S.-Russian joint venture between Space Transport Inc. and Khrunichev State Research and Production Space Center with RSC Energia. ILS has the exclusive rights for worldwide commercial sales and mission management of satellite launches on Russia's premier vehicle, the Proton, and the future Angara vehicle. ILS is incorporated in Delaware in the United States, and is headquartered in McLean, Va., a suburb of Washington, D.C.

Source: ILS News Release