Russia loses satellite

[vodad]

Another Proton rocket failure.

The Russian space agency said the first stages of the launch went smoothly, but communication with the satellite was lost due to a failure of the Briz-M upper stage.


Russia loses contact with $265 million satellite - Technology & science - Space - msnbc.com

 

[nelson61]

If it was the Breze and not the satellute, it will be a long time before quetzsat 1 launches.

The last Breze failure was amc 14 for echostar and that shut them diown for 6-9 months if I remember correct,

 

[Scott Greczkowski]

Not good news.

 

[nelson61]

Failed to separate from the Brize and the satellite is essentially toast.

At least they have the area of failure identified, it took them a long time to identify the last one (a structural burn thru of a duct caused by thin metal and bad metallurgy)


Missing satellite found off designated orbit | Russia | RIA Novosti

 

[navychop]

Too many failures of that upper stage, in various versions. Too bad, because the Proton is such a workhorse. SeaLaunch, anybody?

 

[JSheridan]

I think this is the same ride that Viasat 1 is scheduled for in late September. WildBlue has high hopes for that satellite and they're already making big plans for it.

 

[ralfyguy]

The same happened to AMC-15 a couple of years back. The same BRIZ-M failure. Maybe they just should get some more wodka and sit on the couch.