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Brokedownclimber
Trad climber
Douglas, WY
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Topic Author's Original Post - Jun 7, 2016 - 09:22am PT
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On 6/8/2016, the Russian Space Agency, Rocosmos, will launch a Luxembourg based satellite, Intelsat 31. This satellite is carrying transmitters for DirecTV Latin America.
I only mention this because the Russian-built Proton-M is one of the world's most powerful heavy lift launch vehicles. This M model is a developmental outgrowth of a rocket originally built as a heavy payload capacity Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles, one designed to throw 100 Megaton thermonuclear warheads. This rocket is powered by the hypergolic fuel combination of dinitrogen tetroxide and asymmetrical dimethyl hydrazine--a fuel and oxidizer combination that provoked some controversy earlier in the week due to the toxicity of unburned fuels being dumped into the oceans theoretically protected by the Canadian government. A hypergolic fuel is one which is self-igniting, and requires no pyrotechnic components. This rocket will be conducting several burns to enable a heavy satellite to be thrown into a supersynchronys transfer orbit to enable entertainment television for Latin America. The fuel combination is quite powerful and is a direct result of the rocket's military heritage for instant response during hostilities.
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Reilly
Mountain climber
The Other Monrovia- CA
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So, on that note, maybe some good will come out of Kim Il Phat Phace's missile program? ;-)
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Brokedownclimber
Trad climber
Douglas, WY
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Topic Author's Reply - Jun 7, 2016 - 09:53am PT
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Here's an image of the rollout to the launch pad taken yesterday; the rocket is currently vertical and being prepared for final fueling.
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Brokedownclimber
Trad climber
Douglas, WY
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Topic Author's Reply - Jun 9, 2016 - 07:20am PT
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After a 24 Hour delay caused by a faulty electrical connector between stages, the Proton-M/Briz lifted off from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in a flawless launch. After rising vertically for 10 seconds the vehicle executed a roll maneuver to align it with the desired 61 degrees azimuth for orbital insertion of the monster satellite. The first stage, generating over 2,2 million pounds of thrust, passed through maxQ, or maximum dynamic pressure, after going supersonic a few seconds into the second minute of flight.
This vehicle is an improved version of the Proton-M launch vehicle, made lighter for heavier payload capacity.
The Proton rocket family is fueled by the standard Nitrogen Tetroxide/asymmetrical dimethyl Hydrazine hypergolic oxidizer-fuel combination.
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couchmaster
climber
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No coincidence but the US has one of the pad as well. Ours is "TOP SECRET" shhhhh, don't tell anyone. LOL. Launching today (if it goes well). There's a countdown clock in the link. @5 hours, 34 min right now.
http://www.baynews9.com/content/news/baynews9/news/article.html/content/news/articles/cfn/2016/6/9/top_secret_satellite.html
"CAPE CANAVERAL AIR FORCE STATION --
A satellite built for the secretive National Reconnaissance Office is set to launch Thursday afternoon from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station on one of the world’s most powerful rockets.
Liftoff for the Delta IV rocket is set for 1:59 p.m., Thursday.
A top secret payload will be delivered to space for a secretive branch of the federal government that oversees spy satellites for several agencies.
Because of that, the mission’s purpose is classified due to national security concerns."
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Brokedownclimber
Trad climber
Douglas, WY
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Topic Author's Reply - Jun 9, 2016 - 08:38am PT
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Here's some basic information on the Proton-M rocket and it's design.
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Brokedownclimber
Trad climber
Douglas, WY
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Topic Author's Reply - Jun 9, 2016 - 08:52am PT
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Uh oh! There was a performance shortfall by the vehicle's second stage which resulted in it being 28.2 meters per second below the necessary velocity for correct orbital insertion! The "Briz" upper stage has the necessary fuel reserves to extend it's burn by 32.66 seconds to achieve the necessary parking orbit. This has been accomplished, but the mission isn't over yet; it's a total of 15+ hours until the satellite is in final elliptical super-synchronous orbit peaking at some 65,000 km above the Earth.
"Briz," translated to: Breeze.
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brotherbbock
climber
Alta Loma, CA
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That thing is gonna make some major fukn chem trails.
It's a conspiracy man.
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