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Feb. 01, 2013
Sea Launch AG announced today that approximately 40 seconds after liftoff of the launch of the Intelsat 27 spacecraft, all telemetry was lost indicating a loss of mission. The spacecraft, built by Boeing Satellite Systems was launched on a Zenit-3SL launch vehicle from the equator on the ocean-based Odyssey launch platform, positioned at 154 degrees West longitude.
Zenit-3SL rocket at the launch-pad
A commercial Zenit 3SL rocket operated by Sea Launch fell into the equatorial Pacific Ocean moments after lifting off from a mobile platform Friday, destroying the Ukrainian booster and an Intelsat communications satellite.
Zenit 3SL with Intelsat 27 Launch Failure 06:56 UTC 01.02.13
The Zenit 3SL rocket, loaded with more than 900,000 pounds of flammable propellant, blasted off at 0656 GMT (1:56 a.m. EST) from Sea Launch's Odyssey launch platform stationed in the Pacific Ocean about 1,400 miles south of Hawaii.
But something almost immediately went wrong with the launch, and the three-stage rocket appeared to fly off course before its RD-171 main engine switched off about 25 seconds after liftoff, apparently as a safety measure.
Intelsat 27 spacecraft (destroyed today during the failed launch)
The Intelsat 27 spacecraft aboard the Zenit rocket was insured for about $400 million, according to a company official.
Sea Launch will establish a Failure Review Oversight Board to determine the root cause of the incident and will provide additional information, as it becomes available, on the Sea Launch website at: http://www.sea-launch.com.
Images, Video. Text, Credits: Sea Launch AG / Boeing / Intelsat / Orbiter.ch Aerospace.
Greetings, Orbiter.ch
