Satellite launch anomoly

This is pretty interesting. A SeaLaunch Zenit launch vehicle carrying the Intelsat 19 suffered an "unusual event" during launch. At 72 seconds into flight, there was an event that registered on microphones and pressure sensors. Intelsat 19 reached proper orbit, but only one solar array deployed. What is interesting is that the same thing happened on the launch of the Telstar/Estrela do Sul 1 satellite, which also only deployed one array and was declared a partial loss, and retired after 5 years. They don't know what caused the noise yet.

A SeaLaunch Zenit launch vehicle experienced an 'unusual' event during the 31 May launch of Intelsat 19. Despite reaching its assigned transfer orbit, the Space Systems Loral LS-1300-based satellite fully deployed only one of its two solar arrays.

"Boeing engineers did note an unexpected, isolated event around 72sec after launch, which registered on microphones and pressure sensors," says Energia, which SeaLaunch contracts to deliver and launch the vehicles. "We have only seen this one other time out of the 31 flights and while it is premature to speculate on its origin until further analysis is complete, it bears a striking resemblance to a prior Space Systems/Loral mission."

Flight

reply to post by Zaphod58


so wait.


they just hear a noise, and then certain parts of the satellite don't work?

reply to post by SoymilkAlaska


It wasn't just a noise. There was a noise, and pressure sensors also registered an event. So there was a change in pressure as well. They said whatever happened, the array probably broke during the event.

Interesting..

"The data available on Intelsat-19 very clearly indicates that this is not the same issue that we had last year," says Intelsat. "Not including Intelsat 19, five more 1300 satellites have been launched with ten successful solar array wing deployments

reply to post by baddmove


It's not the same issue, but it's interesting that both had a similar event, with the same result.

This sounds like an engineering or components problem.

They happen pretty often, and it's really a bummer when it happens to something that is that expensive.

It sounds like Gary Seven is up to his old tricks again.
2nd