ILS Proton M launches with Inmarsat-5 F-2

by Chris Bergin

International Launch Services (ILS) opened their 2015 campaign with the successful launch of the Russian Proton-M rocket, this time carrying the Inmarsat-5 F-2 communications satellite – part of the Inmarsat Global Xpress (GX) system – on a multi-hour flight to its transfer orbit. Launch from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan was on schedule at 12:31 GMT.

Proton-M:

The Proton booster that launched the Inmarsat-5 F-2 satellite is 4.1 m (13.5 ft) in diameter along its second and third stages, with a first stage diameter of 7.4 m (24.3 ft). Overall height of the three stages of the Proton booster is 42.3 m (138.8 ft).

The Proton vehicle has a heritage of over 400 launches since 1965 and is built by Khrunichev Research and State Production Center, one of the pillars of the global space industry and the majority owner of ILS.

Z7The first stage consists of a central tank containing the oxidizer surrounded by six outboard fuel tanks. Each fuel tank also carries one of the six RD-276 engines that provide first stage power. Total first stage vacuum-rated level thrust is 11.0 MN (2,500,000 lbf).

Of a conventional cylindrical design, the second stage is powered by three RD-0210 engines plus one RD-0211 engine and develops a vacuum thrust of 2.4 MN (540,000 lbf).

Powered by one RD-0213 engine, the third stage develops thrust of 583 kN (131,000 lbf), and a four-nozzle vernier engine that produces thrust of 31 kN (7,000 lbf).

2015-02-01 11_15_09-www.ilslaunch.com_sites_default_files_I5F2MO.pdf Guidance, navigation, and control of the Proton M during operation of the first three stages is carried out by a triple redundant closed-loop digital avionics system mounted in the Proton’s third stage.

The mission utilized a 5-burn Breeze M Supersynchronous Transfer Orbit mission design, with the first three stages of the Proton using a standard ascent profile to place the orbital unit into a sub-orbital trajectory.

From this point in the mission, the Breeze M performed planned mission maneuvers to advance the orbital unit first to a circular parking orbit, then to an intermediate orbit, followed by a transfer orbit, and finally to a supersynchronous transfer orbit.

Separation of the Inmarsat-5 F2 satellite was scheduled for 15 hours, 31 minutes after liftoff.

2015-02-01 11_16_37-Inmarsat-5 F1 - Google SearchThe Boeing Space and Intelligence Systems built Inmarsat-5 F2 communications satellite is based on the BSS-702HP Platform.

The 6,070 kg bird sports 89 ka-band transponders and will enjoy a busy service life of 15 years at an orbital location of 55 degrees West.

The satellite is part of the Inmarsat Global Xpress (GX) system, which will be the first globally available high-speed broadband network. It will be delivered over three Inmarsat-5 satellites and will offer the unique combination of global coverage from a single operator and the network reliability.

“Based on Ka-band technology, GX will consistently deliver higher performance through more compact terminals at a lower cost than existing VSAT services, making it accessible to many more users,” Inmarsat – based in London – claim.

Inmarsat is investing $1.6 billion in the delivery of Global Xpress, which will create

The first Global Xpress satellite – Inmarsat-5 F1 – was launched in December 2013 and entered regional commercial service in July 2014, covering Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia. Inmarsat-5 F2 will provide superfast broadband Global Xpress or ‘GX’ services covering the Americas and the Atlantic Ocean.

Following the launch of the third Global Xpress satellite – Inmarsat-5 F3 – which is scheduled for the middle of 2015, Inmarsat is planning to commence global commercial GX services early in the second half of the year. The new network, which complements Inmarsat’s existing fleet of L-band communication satellites, will “deliver seamless, superfast mobile broadband services across the planet.”

2015-02-01 11_14_31-www.ilslaunch.com_sites_default_files_I5F2MO.pdf“Global Xpress is a truly transformational technology and, as we complete its global roll-out, 2015 promises to be one of the most significant chapters in our company’s history,” added Rupert Pearce, CEO of Inmarsat.

“Through Global Xpress, the world can move forward from the ‘Internet of Everything’ to the ‘Internet of Everywhere’, in which high-speed, reliable and secure connectivity is available anywhere and at any time – even in the most inaccessible regions – for customers on the move or to fixed locations.

“We believe that our new global network will power innovation, support economic development and help transform social services, from education to healthcare, in regions not adequately served – or not served at all – by terrestrial networks.”

This was the opening launch of 2015 for the ILS proton and the 88th ILS Proton mission overall. It was also the 11th time Inmarsat satellite has ridden on a Proton.

(Images via ILS and Inmarsat)

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