OFFICIAL CONFIRMATION of Separation of AMC-14 from Breeze M

[ScoBuck]

From the ILS website:

The mission had proceeded nominally until the second burn of the Breeze M upper stage. The Breeze M suffered an anomaly that caused it to shut down early. In accordance with Proton emergency procedures, the spacecraft was then safely separated from the Breeze M upper stage.

The Complete Letter:
AMC-14 Letter to Customers

 

[ScoBuck]

Also from the ILS webiste - regarding the Failure Oversight Review Board that is interesting, as it mentions inclusion of representation from within the insurance industry. Could this in any way mean that no decision on the fate of AMC-14 can take place until the insurance companies decide what to do?

From the letter:

The board will be chaired by Jim Bonner, ILS Vice President of Operations and CTO. Kevin Sloan, ILS launch operations director, will serve as the executive secretary. The remaining members will be comprised of industry specialists, participants from the affected mission and the return to flight mission campaigns, as well as an insurance industry representative.

The entire letter:
Proton Return to Flight Communication

 

[theoak]

Kind of reminds me of health care, at least in the US. You have to check with your insurance company first before you see the doctor for a specific condition to ensure that you are covered.

Perhaps the same kind of logic here. If any time of action is decided upon, they need to first check with their insurance to make sure they are covered.

Or at a bare minimum to figure out what the co-pay is ...

 

[skyviewmark]

Why isn't there a Sticky Post that we can go to for any new info on AMC-14. I'm lazy and want a single place to look.

 

[rocatman]

There were several places where it was posted that the Breeze Upper Stage was separated from the AMC-14 spacecraft a few days ago so this is not news. There are a couple of reasons that there might be an insurance industry representative involved that may have nothing to do with delaying any action taken to place the AMC-14 satellite in the proper orbit. One reason might be that ILS has insurance related to the launch service they provide i.e., they may not receive full compensation from their customer (SES Americom) because of provisions in the launch services contract on performance. If this was the case then there may need to be a determination if ILS was negligent in providing the launch service especially related to a similar launch failure with the Proton vehicle that occurred less than a year ago. A second reason that comes to mind might be related to the insurance industry needing information related to insurance rates for future launches. Just putting out there some possibilities that may put some cold water on what the DirecTV fanboy OP real wants which is a delay of any action on AMC-14 so that Dish's ability to compete with DirecTV is damaged.

 

[ScoBuck]

I have not seen any other posts that officially stated that the 2 were separated, but if the post offended you, sorry.

And no, I am not rooting against AMC-14, but rather for it to get to orbit. Don't be so sensitive.

 

[flyingsquirrel]

A second reason that comes to mind might be related to the insurance industry needing information related to insurance rates for future launches. Just putting out there some possibilities that may put some cold water on what the DirecTV fanboy OP real wants which is a delay of any action on AMC-14 so that Dish's ability to compete with DirecTV is damaged.

That's my Bet. There is an insurance industry rep so that the actuaries can set rates on future launches. They will know how to "rate" the various elements, including ILS, THe vehicles, etc. It's for the next launches. Does not have anything to do with AMC 14 fate.

I think the decision has already been made on that. They will try to save it. If they can't the insurance carrier will pay out. If they can, then there may be a partial payout based on the percentage of use they end up with.

 

[John Kotches]

That's my Bet. There is an insurance industry rep so that the actuaries can set rates on future launches. They will know how to "rate" the various elements, including ILS, THe vehicles, etc. It's for the next launches. Does not have anything to do with AMC 14 fate.

I think the decision has already been made on that. They will try to save it. If they can't the insurance carrier will pay out. If they can, then there may be a partial payout based on the percentage of use they end up with.

I would bet that useful lifetime of the device was a part of this policy so that if some incident occurred which was the fault of the launch that diminished the projected 15 year life cycle that it would be paid out based on that.

SES Americom was planning on leasing this out to Dish for a particular price based on that expected life cycle. Potentially losing 2/3 of the lifetime (estimates on how much fuel is needed to get to correct orbit) would be a significant income issue for the satellite.

It remains to be seen what really happens with the insurance. I don't think the final amount will be determined until the satellite either makes its intended orbit or fails to do so.

Cheers,

 

[jerryez]

If we have a sticky, it needs to be locked so only mods can reply to it. I am tired of reading thru five pages of negative comments and speculation to get updates on AMC-14. If others get news, they can PM the mods and they could give you credit for the new info.

 

[jdr01930]

Why isn't there a Sticky Post that we can go to for any new info on AMC-14. I'm lazy and want a single place to look.

I second that.
Not because I'm lazy though - I'm on vacation in Florida and have limited internet access and time. Don't ya'll feel sorry for me!

 

[Smith P.]

Sorry for bad news but here ... Lost hope.

 

[goaliebob99]

Sorry for bad news but here ... Lost hope.

Psmith, we were talking about this in the pub. The article has been confirmed to be bougus by SES Americom.

 

[Jeffro34tx]

Just putting out there some possibilities that may put some cold water on what the DirecTV fanboy OP real wants which is a delay of any action on AMC-14 so that Dish's ability to compete with DirecTV is damaged.

I didn't see any indication in his post that would give an impression that he wanted any sort of delay on AMC-14. In fact, if you have been reading any of the other threads on AMC-14 you might have seen that Scobuck was hoping for the best of AMC-14. I even commented on the fact that it was nice to see that he had only the best interest for AMC-14.

As far as if he is a fanboy for DirecTV or not.. maybe. But I don't see how that really makes a difference. I'm a DISH Fanboy... do you have to be a DISH Fanboy to have an interest in Satellite Launches just because it will be used for DISH?

As Scobuck mentioned before, competition only makes them both better.

I just don't see any reason for your comment about him from his original post.

 

[Smith P.]

Psmith, we were talking about this in the pub. The article has been confirmed to be bougus by SES Americom.

By whom ?

That article stated by "SES representatives", you are twisting to official level statement. The source could be in the FROB, BTW.
And Scott not always inform us from ofiicial Dish press releases !

 

[gadgtfreek]

I've dealt in marine cargo damages, and before Lloyds will pay out for damaged goods, you have to show due diligence in salvaging what is salvagable.

Seems that (to me) if they find they can get it into the proper orbit, that the insurance claim would be on the lost life of the satellite. I dont see an insurer letting them just give up on it, unless its written that way.

 

[gadgtfreek]

By whom ?

That article stated by "SES representatives", you are twisting to official level statement. The source could be in the FROB, BTW.
And Scott not always inform us from ofiicial Dish press releases !

Get over it already, you love to accuse people of all sorts of things when you ain't no peach yourself.

 

[Smith P.]

I'm over, don't worry. Now if goalie will also ...

 

[goaliebob99]

By whom ?

That article stated by "SES representatives", you are twisting to official level statement. The source could be in the FROB, BTW.
And Scott not always inform us from ofiicial Dish press releases !

Oh so your saying that the article is based on hearsay and there was no official sources backed up to confirm what the article says. Once again. There is no sources that backs up what the article says. All of the official statements from SES have said that They Can get the satellite into orbit. Other sources that we have heard from from SES Americom complements what the official press releases say. Its not a question of If they can but how to do it while minimizing the fuel expended during the maneuvers. Once again if you can show me the officall press releases where SES Americom, dated the same date as the artical written, and if you can show me where ses americom has offically announced where the satellite cant make it into orbit using its own thrusters and is a total loss along with how much the insurance is paying for the bird, as the articale that you have lifed from the pub, and posted here trying to stirr the pot. Find it and I will personally pay you through paypal 100 dollars! I know my money is safe, because there was no sort of annoucment made.

 

[Smith P.]

Will see ...
You're pointing to outdated SES releases, lets wait for confirmation from them and I'll accept your money ( um, could you send it to Rod ? ).

 

[goaliebob99]

Will see ...
You're pointing to outdated SES releases, lets wait for confirmation from them and I'll accept your money ( um, could you send it to Rod ? ).

OK start finding the releases.. remember they have to be dated the same date as the article was published as stipulated in the original bet. If you want to make a wager on it im all about making a wager. The thing about me, I dont bet unless I know I'm right.