Day 12 - L-1 Day

 

The star of the show on L-1 day is the rollout of the sleek and powerful Zenit 3SL from its protective hanger on the LP.  This involves the participation of every segment including the spacecraft customer.  The Zenit 3SL is stored horizontally within the environmentally controlled hanger on the LP during its transit from Home Port.  On L-1 Day it is rolled out to the launch pad on top of the TsENKi built and operated Transporter/Erector (TE).  The TE is truly an elegant piece of mechanical equipment which I would describe as gracefully robust during its operation.  Once rolled out to the launch pad and following connections to various umbilicals used for connecting the Zenit 3SL launch vehicle to electrical power, conditioned air, and various gases, the TE will, utilizing 4 powerful hydraulic actuators, rotate the Zenit 3SL into a vertical position and then gently lower it onto the launch pad supports.  Once erect on the launch pad a number of system level tests are performed by all segments to verify that all connections are properly connected and communication links to the launch vehicle and spacecraft are open and functioning per requirements.  The final test of the day for the Rocket Segment is a full on pad system level test known as KNSG and takes 6 hours to complete.  The countdown process is an automated process controlled by the RSC Energia designed CACS-PL software.  Yes, we have a lot of acronyms in this business and due to having two distinct languages, Russian and English, we tend to create new acronyms to ease translation.

A team of RSC Energia engineers headed by Evgeny Shabarov operate and monitor the CACS-PL software which is the brains behind the automatic processing.  Every valve, electrical switch, antenna and actuator is controlled directly or indirectly by Mr. Shabarov’s software and team.  This team is essential for a successful launch and needless to say they put in long hours and are under much stress to perform flawlessly, although you can rarely tell.  Successful completion of the KNSG test is a critical point in the pre-launch processing as it will determine whether we proceed into L-0 Day operations.  Today was a banner day for the CACS-PL team as the KNSG test was able to start 30 minutes early and completed successfully on time around 20:30.  The data obtained from the test is transmitted back to RSC Energia headquarters in Moscow and Yuzhnoye headquarters in Dnepropetrovsk, Ukraine for review over night while the team here on the ACS sleep.  The respective HQ will provide their clearance for launch first thing in the morning.

 

Today was a long day for the Astrium spacecraft team as they ready their satellite for launch.  Astrium Program Director Pierre-Yves Barat and Analysis, Integration and Test (AIT) Manager Florent Fauthous oversaw operations from 9:00 to 01:00 the following day where the team loaded software and verified the readiness of the spacecraft to support launch day operations.  Eutelsat Spacecraft Mission Manager (SMM), Craig Williamson and Backup SMM Peter Newell monitor operations for both the spacecraft and Rocket Segment teams.   The team accomplished their work ahead of schedule without any issues.

 

Of course on top of the work required to get the launch vehicle and spacecraft ready for launch we have helicopter flights transferring crew members between vessels, more weather balloon launches and support from various remote people and organizations across the globe.  One such person is Barney Corgatelli our network consultant.  Barney is the architect for the complex communications network we utilize to perform simple tasks such as email and internet to complex tasks such as ensuring the spacecraft telemetry data is transmitted from the spacecraft on the LP to the ACS up to a satellite back down to a ground station in Brewster, Washington and then on to Eutelsat’s facility in Rambouillet, France.  Barney provides invaluable support to our team as communication is essential and is ready to support no matter the time of day.

Overall L-1 Day operations were completed in full scope without any significant issues and the Mission Director Dr. Valery Aliev confirmed readiness to proceed into L-0 Day operations at his 21:00 status meeting. Next up Launch day with crew transfers starting at 03:58 tomorrow morning.  Time for crew rest…

 

Due to the intense operations today I do not have many photographs to share so please enjoy...

 

 

Zenit 3SL with Eutelsat 70B spacecraft onboard erect on the launch pad and helicopter returning to the ACS

 

ACS Purser Iryna Shylkina checks proper fit of life vest prior to boarding helicopter

Galia Kaplan and Iryna Shylkina work together to ensure smooth crew transfer operations

LP Purser Vitaliy Sokolov awaits crew transfer from the ACS

Photo Optics team onboard the helicopter taking great aerial views

ELUS's Don Domonoske and Larry Trotter await a ride to the LP

Helicopter view of the LP in the background window