2000-F02

Zenit-3SL

CIS

Payload Rollout

   On February 18, the sea Launch team transported the encapsulated ICO communications satellite from the Payload Processing Facility at Home Port to the assembly and command ship, docked nearby. The payload traveled up an extended ramp that leads to the rocket assembly plant along the length of the ship. Here, the payload was mated with the launch vehicle and prepared for transfer to the launch platform.
Integrated Vehicle Transfer

   On Feb. 24th, the Sea Launch team transferred the fully integrated launch vehicle from the assembly and command ship to the launch platform.
Housed in an environmentally controlled hangar atop the platform, the vehicle travels in a horizontal position from the Home Port in Long Beach, Calif., to the launch site at the equator, 154 degrees west longitude.

Lift Test

   The Zenit-3SL vehicle is prepared for a lift test on the launch platform on Feb. 25th.

   Viewed here from the hangar atop the platform, the vehicle is rolled out to the launch pad and automatically raised to a vertical position.



   During the lift test at Home Port, the Sea Launch Team tests all systems for launch readiness. On Feb. 25th, the launch vehicle remained in the vertical position for about 12 hours.
Fully supplied and ready for its mission, the Sea Launch Commander departs from the Home Port on Feb. 26th. It remained outside the breakwater at Long Beach, Calif., overnight to allow for additional communications testing with Odyssey launch platform, still docked at Home Port, three miles away.


Launch Platform Departs


   On February 27, the Odyssey Launch Platfom departed Home Port at Long Beach, Calif., for its voyage to the equator, 154° west longitude, ready for launch.

On the third mission, lifting the 6,050 lb (2,750 kg) ICO F-1 communications satellite to Medium Earth Orbit on March 12, 2000, an anomaly developed during the operation of the second stage. The rocket failed to reach orbital velocity. Approximately eight minutes into the mission, the flight was terminated. An investigation is underway under the Sea Launch Failure Review Oversight Board. Return to Flight is expected in the Summer of 2000.

Ref: #7a, #30 - update: 28.06.01