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Proton-K/Oko - Launch Updates
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Oko Satellite successfully delivered to Orbit
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March 30, 2012
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Launched earlier today, a Proton-K Rocket and a Block-DM Upper Stage successfully delivered the final US-KMO or Oko Satellite to Geosynchronous Orbit.
After launching from the Baikonur Cosmodrome (Site 81/24) at 11:49 local time (5:49 GMT), the Proton-K launcher performed a nominal ascent delivering the Payload and Upper Stage in a sub-orbital trajectory. The Block-DM Upper Stage then made several burns to place the vehicle in a initial parking orbit and eventually in its targeted orbit. Spacecraft Separation occurred at 12:27 GMT. The new Satellite has been catalogued as Cosmos 2479 in the Russian Military’s Numbering System. Today’s Proton-K was the last Proton of this Version – ending a 45-year career with a success. The Proton-M, an improved version of the launcher, will make future missions and can be equipped with a variety of Upper Stages as well. It was the 310th Flight of the Proton Launcher Family and the third Proton Mission of 2012. |
Photo: Roscosmos
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Photo: Roscosmos
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The Oko Constellation dates back to 1965 when development on the first Early Warning Satellite began. In 1972, the system started operating. Later, Oko Spacecraft were used as part of the US-K and US-KMO Missile Detection System. A total of four satellites are required to keep the system operational. This Launch is a part of an Government Effort to replenish the fleet of satellites that are part of the US-K/KMO Constellation. Oko satellites operate from geostationary orbits and highly elliptical orbits with an Apogee of 40,000 Kilometers. The most recent Oko launch was on September 30, 2010 aboard a Molniya Booster delivering the Payload to a highly elliptical orbit. A total of 87 launches have been made to support the US-K, US-KMO and SPRN early warning constellations.
The Oko Satellites are 1.7 meters in diameter and 2 meters long. At Liftoff, Oko has a mass of 2,400 Kilograms including 1,150kg of Propellant. The Spacecraft uses a large infrared telescope to detect missile exhaust plumes. The infrared telescope has a mass of 350 Kilograms and is equipped with a conical Solar Shield and associated electronics. Two Solar Arrays provide up to 2.6kW of power. To support the main instrument, several small wide-angle telescopes are mounted on the satellite. The satellite has a propulsion unit to make orbit adjustments and control is attitude in space. The fleet is monitored by a dedicated control center and data from the satellites is relayed in real time. Oko Satellites are built by the Russian Space Manufacturer NPO Lavochkin. |
Proton-K completes nominal Ascent; Mission Underway
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March 30, 2012
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According to Russian Media, the Proton-K carrying the Oko Early Warning Satellite has launched from Site 81/24 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome on time at 5:49 GMT on Friday. Proton-K performed a nominal ascent, beginning powered flight on its first stage that was burning for two minutes before separating. The second stage took over powered flight as expected and the vehicle continued its downrange trajectory. Stage 2/3 separation was reported to be nominal as well. Nine and a half minutes after liftoff, third stage burnout and Orbital Unit Separation were reported – completing 45 Years of Proton-K Flights with a success. The Orbital Unit has placed itself in a preliminary Parking Orbit before its will continue powered flight with several burns. Spacecraft Separation is set for 12:27 GMT on Friday to complete the Flight of the Block-DM2 Upper Stage and send Oko on its way to replenish the US-KMO constellation of Missile Warning Spacecraft.
Photo: Khrunichev State Research and Production Space Center
File Image of a Proton Rocket
Launch remains set for early Friday
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March 29, 2012
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The Launch of the Russian Government’s Oko Early Warning Satellite remains targeted for Friday, March 30, 5:49 GMT from the Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan. Countdown Operations are scheduled to be underway several hours prior to launch with the State Commission giving final permission to launch the Proton-K vehicle. After liftoff, the launcher will perform a Nominal Ascent Mission using its three stages to place the upper composite into a sub-orbital trajectory. Afterwards, the Orbital Unit comprised of the Oko Spacecraft and the Block-DM Upper Stage will begin a several-hour mission featuring several burns of the Upper Stage. The initial burn will place the Vehicle in a preliminary Low Earth Orbit. Several Burns later, Oko will be released to its desired Geostationary Transfer Orbit at 12:27 GMT ready to start its mission that will begin with on-orbit commissioning and final orbit adjust maneuvers.
Russia set to Launch Early Warning Satellite
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March 28, 2012
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Photo: NASA/Roscosmos
File Image of a Proton-K Launch
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The Russian Government is set to Launch an Early Warning Satellite that is part of its Oko Satellite System on March 30, 2012 from the Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan, aboard a Proton-K Launch Vehicle.
The Oko Constellation dates back to 1965 when development on the first Early Warning Satellite began. In 1972, the system started operating. Later, Oko Spacecraft were used as part of the US-K and US-KMO Missile Detection System. A total of four satellites are required to keep the system operational. This Launch is a part of an Government Effort to replenish the fleet of satellites that are part of the US-K/KMO Constellation. Oko satellites operate from geostationary orbits and highly elliptical orbits with an Apogee of 40,000 Kilometers. The most recent Oko launch was on September 30, 2010 aboard a Molniya Booster delivering the Payload to a highly elliptical orbit. A total of 86 launches have been made to support the US-K, US-KMO and SPRN early warning constellations. The Oko Satellites are 1.7 meters in diameter and 2 meters long. At Liftoff, Oko has a mass of 2,400 Kilograms including 1,150kg of Propellant. The Spacecraft uses a large infrared telescope to detect missile exhaust plumes. The infrared telescope has a mass of 350 Kilograms and is equipped with a conical Solar Shield and associated electronics. Two Solar Arrays provide up to 2.6kW of power. To support the main instrument, several small wide-angle telescopes are mounted on the satellite. The satellite has a propulsion unit to make orbit adjustments and control is attitude in space. The fleet is monitored by a dedicated control center and data from the satellites is relayed in real time. Oko Satellites are built by the Russian Space Manufacturer NPO Lavochkin. |
The Proton-K Launcher is a slightly different Version of the Russian Workhorse Proton-M equipped with an advanced avionics system, lighter tank structures and a slightly improved thrust performance. The Proton-K for this flight was built several years ago and was in storage until it was decided to use it for this launch. Previous US-KMO Launches used the now retired Molniya Launcher for missions to elliptical-, also called Molniya Orbits. This is the final Proton-K Flight putting Oko in Geostationary Transfer Orbit. For the mission, the launcher will be equipped with a Block-DM Upper Stage to deliver the Satellite in its desired Orbit. Details on the exact nature of the Spacecraft and its desired orbit have not been disclosed.
The Vehicle was rolled to the Launch Pad at Baikonur Site 81/24 on March 27. Launch is targeted for March 30, 2012 at 5:49 GMT.
The Vehicle was rolled to the Launch Pad at Baikonur Site 81/24 on March 27. Launch is targeted for March 30, 2012 at 5:49 GMT.
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