Sea Launch vehicle explodes on launch pad, Sea Launch Zenit 3SL vehicle, carrying the NSS 8 satellite |
Sea Launch vehicle explodes on launch pad, Sea Launch Zenit 3SL vehicle, carrying the NSS 8 satellite |
Feb 1 2007, 06:28 AM
Post
#31
|
|
Merciless Robot Group: Admin Posts: 8783 Joined: 8-December 05 From: Los Angeles Member No.: 602 |
The main media seems to be picking it up now...it's going to be a lead story on one of the Los Angeles local news channels tonight (possibly because of some local connections, though).
-------------------- A few will take this knowledge and use this power of a dream realized as a force for change, an impetus for further discovery to make less ancient dreams real.
|
|
|
Feb 1 2007, 03:44 PM
Post
#32
|
|
Junior Member Group: Members Posts: 58 Joined: 17-September 06 Member No.: 1150 |
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/070201/lath054.html?.v=88
Sea Launch Assesses Status and Plans for Next Steps Thursday February 1, 8:15 am ET LONG BEACH, Calif., Feb. 1 /PRNewswire/ -- Following the unsuccessful launch of the NSS-8 spacecraft on January 30, and subsequent safing of all systems, Sea Launch is now in the process of securing the Odyssey Launch Platform and taking initial measures to determine the root cause and implement necessary corrective actions. Applications for all necessary permits and licenses required to proceed with these activities are also in process. ADVERTISEMENT A preliminary assessment of the Odyssey Launch Platform indicates that, while it has sustained limited damage, the integrity and functionality of essential marine, communications and crew support systems remains intact. The vessel is operating on its own power and is currently manned by the full marine crew. This team is performing a comprehensive assessment of all aspects of the vessel, including its structural integrity and sea-worthiness, in anticipation of identifying and planning the next steps. The team on the Sea Launch Commander is in excellent condition and is supporting these activities. The Commander incurred no damage during yesterday's launch attempt, as it was positioned four miles from the Launch Platform at the time of lift-off. The Sea Launch partners will be conducting an independent investigation to review relevant data, determine root cause, and develop recommendations for corrective actions. In accordance with established procedures, Sea Launch is establishing a Failure Review Oversight Board (FROB) to review the partners' findings, conclusions and recommendations. Kirk Pysher, vice president and chief systems engineer for Sea Launch, will chair this board. The main activity of the FROB will commence once the partner-led independent investigation is complete. "We deeply regret the loss of the NSS-8 satellite, which was designed to be a significant part of the SES NEW SKIES fleet. We are receiving consistent expressions of confidence in our system and our team from our customers and the insurance community," said Rob Peckham, president of Sea Launch. "We have begun to discuss a plan for a Return to Flight. "The safety of our people is our number one priority. The Sea Launch team is the best in the business and will continue to work diligently to understand the anomaly, identify the root cause and determine a corrective course of action. As we move forward, we are maintaining a positive, progressive mind-set and a dedication to excellence." Sea Launch is an international launch service provider, based in Long Beach, Calif. Using a floating platform, one of two ocean-going vessels, Sea Launch lifts its Zenit-3SL rocket from a position on the equator at 154 degrees West Longitude. The Sea Launch partners include Boeing, RSC Energia, Aker ASA and SDO Yuzhnoye/PO Yuzhmash. For more information, please visit the Sea Launch web site at: www.sea-launch.com. We will continue to post updates on this site, as available. |
|
|
Feb 1 2007, 07:32 PM
Post
#33
|
|
Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 1582 Joined: 14-October 05 From: Vermont Member No.: 530 |
Wow. If anything the fact that a rocket can fail that spectacularly and not severly disable the non-launch capabilities of the platform is a testament to the viability of this model. Whomever insures the platform is thinking, "An excuse to raise the premiums at the same time as realizing less risk than I might have supposed... sweet!"
|
|
|
Feb 1 2007, 09:02 PM
Post
#34
|
|
Member Group: Members Posts: 321 Joined: 6-April 06 From: Cape Canaveral Member No.: 734 |
It wasn't an explosion, there was no shockwave. It was a deflagration, just like the Hollywood effects. SO no real energy to damage things
|
|
|
Feb 7 2007, 12:27 AM
Post
#35
|
|
Senior Member Group: Moderator Posts: 2262 Joined: 9-February 04 From: Melbourne - Oz Member No.: 16 |
Spaceflight Now: Sea Launch vessels set sail for port following explosion.
-------------------- |
|
|
Feb 7 2007, 02:08 AM
Post
#36
|
|
Merciless Robot Group: Admin Posts: 8783 Joined: 8-December 05 From: Los Angeles Member No.: 602 |
Well, Odyssey is seaworthy, then, and the article described its condition as "slightly damaged", though the repairs may be beyond the scope of the Long Beach facility. Overall, seems like it could have been much worse. Thanks, James!:)
-------------------- A few will take this knowledge and use this power of a dream realized as a force for change, an impetus for further discovery to make less ancient dreams real.
|
|
|
Guest_AlexBlackwell_* |
Feb 27 2007, 06:59 PM
Post
#37
|
Guests |
This event got my husband ("space shmace") interested because he's now very worried about the launch of the second DirecTV HD satellite, which he says was to be a SeaLaunch in June or July. He's asking me if the launch date of that satellite is likely to be delayed significantly. I don't know enough to answer his question -- anybody got any insight? There was this news item in the February 26, 2007, issue of Aviation Week & Space Technology:
|
|
|
Feb 27 2007, 07:50 PM
Post
#38
|
|
Administrator Group: Admin Posts: 5172 Joined: 4-August 05 From: Pasadena, CA, USA, Earth Member No.: 454 |
Thanks for this update, Alex. My husband's response:
QUOTE I find this frightening and confusing. please translate into number of high-def channels I will see. What details are "beginning to emerge" about the failure?--Emily -------------------- My website - My Patreon - @elakdawalla on Twitter - Please support unmannedspaceflight.com by donating here.
|
|
|
Guest_AlexBlackwell_* |
Feb 27 2007, 07:53 PM
Post
#39
|
Guests |
What details are "beginning to emerge" about the failure? From the "In Orbit" section of the same issue:
|
|
|
Guest_AlexBlackwell_* |
Jun 20 2007, 11:17 PM
Post
#40
|
Guests |
Sorry for resurrecting a dormant thread, but below is a news tidbit from the June 18, 2007, issue of Aviation Week & Space Technology:
See also the related press release from Sea Launch. |
|
|
Lo-Fi Version | Time is now: 23rd April 2024 - 08:41 AM |
RULES AND GUIDELINES Please read the Forum Rules and Guidelines before posting. IMAGE COPYRIGHT |
OPINIONS AND MODERATION Opinions expressed on UnmannedSpaceflight.com are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of UnmannedSpaceflight.com or The Planetary Society. The all-volunteer UnmannedSpaceflight.com moderation team is wholly independent of The Planetary Society. The Planetary Society has no influence over decisions made by the UnmannedSpaceflight.com moderators. |
SUPPORT THE FORUM Unmannedspaceflight.com is funded by the Planetary Society. Please consider supporting our work and many other projects by donating to the Society or becoming a member. |