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Waspie_Dwarf

Apr 17 2007, 11:25 AM

RS-20 (Dnepr) Cluster Launch Mission Preparation

29.03.07

The original launch date for the RS-20 (converted SS-18 ICBM, commercially known as Dnepr) cluster launch mission was scheduled for March 27, 2007. The rocket was to lift off from the Baikonur Cosmodrome with the following payloads on-board: EgyptSat-1 (Ukraine/Egypt), SaudiSat-3, SaudiComsat-3, SaudiComsat-4, SaudiComsat-5, SaudiComsat-6 and SaudiComsat-7 (Saudi Arabia) and P-Pod deployers carrying 7 CubSat nanosatellites.

All payloads have successfully passed necessary pre-launch checkout and testing. All tests of the launch vehicle up to the integration with the Space Head Module were successfully completed as well.

Following the integration of the Space Head Module containing 14 satellites with the launch vehicle, the fully assembled rocket underwent a series of final electrical tests. During this phase, the LV diagnostics system detected an anomaly in the 3rd stage telemetry harness.

To date, the faulty cable has been replaced and pre-launch preparations have been resumed.

To ensure the absolute success of this launch mission and to allow for completion of all necessary electrical checkout of the rocket, the State Launch Committee, also mindful of the other launch missions scheduled to fly from the Baikonur Cosmodrome within the same timeframe, has set the new date for this launch on 17-18 April 2007.

Source: ISC Kosmotras

Waspie_Dwarf

Apr 17 2007, 11:29 AM

Dnepr successfully returns to flight

17.04.07

On April 17, 2007 at 10 hours 46 minuets Moscow time (06 hours 46 minutes UTC), a converted RS-20 (SS-18) ICBM (commercially known as Dnepr) was launched from Baikonur Cosmodrome. Shortly thereafter the rocket successfully deployed 14 satellites into a 640 km Sun-synchronous orbit.

The payloads for this launch mission were EgyptSat-1 of the Arab Republic of Egypt, SaudiSat-3 and five SaudiComsats of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and seven CubeSat nanosatellites developed by the universities of the United States of America and Columbia.

Being the 8th commercial launch for Dnepr, this is also its first 'return to flight' mission since the failure encountered on July 27, 2006 during liftoff from Baikonur.

In parallel with the successful completion of its first launch campaign in 2007, ISC Kosmotras continues preparations for the next two Dnepr launch missions scheduled to fly from Baikonur and Yasny launch bases.

ISC Kosmotras has been involved in putting together commercial payload launches utilizing the Dnepr Space Launch System based on RS-20 (SS-18) ICBM technologies since 1997. With the latest successful mission, Dnepr has lofted into space 37 satellites belonging to customers from Columbia, Egypt, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, UK and USA. As a managing company, ISC Kosmotras possesses a good combination of multi-year expertise in development and operation of launcher systems and practical experience in implementation of various international projects.

Source: ISC Kosmotras

Waspie_Dwarf

Apr 20 2007, 12:35 AM

Boeing Pico-Satellite Mission to Advance Miniature Satellite Technology

The Boeing press release is reproduce below:

ST. LOUIS, April 19, 2007 -- A pico-satellite developed by Boeing [NYSE: BA] to evaluate miniature spacecraft technologies was successfully launched to orbit on April 17 by an ISC Kosmotras Dnepr rocket from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.

Initial system checks indicate that the CubeSat TestBed 1 (CSTB1) spacecraft is operational and ready for a series of on-orbit demonstrations that will help Boeing further develop nano-satellites weighing less than 22 pounds.

"Our pico- and nano-satellite activities are part of a broader Boeing effort to enable a more operationally responsive space," said Alex Lopez, vice president of Boeing Advanced Network and Space Systems.

During the CSTB1 demonstrations, Boeing will test several new technologies, software designs and on-orbit operations for nano-satellite functions.

"Our team is excited that CSTB1 is in orbit, and we're ready to proceed with our demonstrations," said Scott MacGillivray, manager of Boeing Nano-Satellite Programs. "These satellites can quickly and inexpensively test miniature, low-power components and subsystems to help reduce the power requirements and weight of larger satellites."

Boeing developed the CSTB1 spacecraft at its new Engineering Development Center in Huntington Beach, Calif., where engineers are exploring new ways to reduce the size, weight and power needs for key satellite components. The new facility includes a Mission Operations Center where on-orbit operations for CSTB1 will be conducted.

"On-orbit tests of CubeSats like CSTB1 can be conducted years earlier than larger satellites and at considerably less cost than Earth-based testing. Nano-satellites also are less costly to develop and deploy than larger satellites and can piggy back on rockets launching larger payloads," added MacGillivray.

Weighing a little more than two pounds, CSTB1 consists of four microcontrollers as the brains, redundant communication systems with two independent radios, two high-capacity lithium-ion rechargeable batteries, a deployable antenna, a sophisticated control system that determines the attitude of the spacecraft using sun and magnetic field sensors, a simple attitude control system using magnetic torque coils and multi-functional boards containing sensors and electronics.

Future missions may test better control accuracy, additional electrical power, more communications bandwidth and higher computational performance.

A unit of The Boeing Company, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems is one of the world's largest space and defense businesses specializing in innovative and capabilities-driven customer solutions. Headquartered in St. Louis, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems is a $32.4 billion business with 72,000 employees worldwide.

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Source: Boeing press release

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