Russian Proton Launcher Crash. 2E may be delayed.

montgolfiere · Post by **montgolfiere** » Tue 02 Jul 2013 07:19

The same (type of) Launcher as that which will be used for 2E has 'Crashed' on 'Take Off' with 3 Satellites Destroyed. This could lead to Delays for the Astra 2E launch.... I will post as information is received..

russell · Post by **russell** » Tue 02 Jul 2013 08:43

montgolfiere · Post by **montgolfiere** » Tue 02 Jul 2013 10:54

Unless it is a 'long' Delay...maybe 12 months+ this is a disaster (for me!!) as the uncertainty persists.
The short term delay is very good for anyone with an existing system but a nightmare for anyone requiring a new installation.
Oh well, more 'gardening leave'......

russell · Post by **russell** » Tue 02 Jul 2013 22:23

Yes, it must be a very difficult time for you.

Russell.

montgolfiere · Post by **montgolfiere** » Wed 10 Jul 2013 15:48

Just been informed of the following by ukexpattv:

................ it has now been stated that the rocket crash was due to human error where we have been told that "The angular velocity sensors were wired up with the wrong polarity therefore the rocket was orientated incorrectly".

no info as yet on the 'delay'!!

Sue · Post by **Sue** » Wed 10 Jul 2013 15:56

So they had a disorientated rocket!!

russell · Post by **russell** » Fri 12 Jul 2013 10:28

Don't they check that the control systems are working correctly before firing!

Russell.

rhys · Post by **rhys** » Fri 12 Jul 2013 11:03

Quite an eye-opening programme last night on TV about potential dangers in flights increasingly arising from excessive computerisation / automaticisation of flying...........

So much is done by computers that pilots find it difficult to - as it were - pay attention........... they even nod off...........
if something goes wrong and they need to correct the flight path taken by the computer an apparently simple error - the sort which 'should never be made ' can lead to total disaster.

EG a flight within the US there was a warning in the cockpit that the plane was approaching the airport too slowly : the remedy was to push the plane's nose down a bit to regain lift - instead the co-pilot ( who was tired , as was the pilot ) pulled the joystick in the wrong direction and raised the plane's nose -sufficiently to put it into an unrecoverable stall.

So not really a surprise if something simple caused the satellite launch to go wrong.

montgolfiere · Post by **montgolfiere** » Fri 12 Jul 2013 11:39

Latest news is that the Launch will take place in 'Q3' 2013 so the 'Changeover' is likely to take place in Q4 2013...... my guess will be November......

FORUM