5th Dnepr launch

[shoogerbrugge]

from www.kosmotras.ru<br /><br />Two satellites placed into SSO orbit (not into geostationaire as spacedailt reports) here is more on the payload: http://www.jaxa.jp/missions/projects/sat/tsushin/oicets/index_e.html<br /><br />I've highlighted a number of things I found intresting. First its news that 2 launches will be performed from a new site inside Russia. The other is that commercialisation in space means that the biggest nuthead in charge of country has just added a new strange fact to his long list.....<br /><br /><b> 5th Dnepr Mission</b><br /><br />On August 24, 2005 at 01:10 a.m. Moscow time the 5th Dnepr launch mission (a converted SS-18 ICBM) blasted off from the launch silo located at the Baikonur Cosmodrome. This launch mission was prepared by International Space Company (ISC) Kosmotras in cooperation with the Russian Ministry of Defense and the Russian Federal Space Agency. The launch vehicle deployed OICETS and INDEX satellites owned by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) into the Sun-synchronous Orbit. <br /><br />The primary payload on this mission was OICETS designed and built by the prime contractor NEC Toshiba Space Systems, Ltd. (NTSpace) with the piggyback payload being INDEX designed and built by JAXA’s Institute of Space and Astronautical Science (ISAS). On this mission, apart from performing tasks directly related to launch, the following capabilities were provided: <br /><br />Umbilical link between the satellite and its Electrical Ground Support Equipment located in an underground bunker in the vicinity of the launch silo; <br /><br />RF link between the satellite and the Satellite Mission Control Center for commanding the satellite and receiving telemetry during preparation for and launch; <br /><br />Space Head Module Air Purge System to maintain the required temperature and humidity environment

 

[shoogerbrugge]

If you like to see the launch video or the orbital details of the spacecraft I can advise you to visit the following sites:<br /><br />orbital details: http://www.jaxa.jp/press/2005/08/20050824_oicets_index_2_e.html<br /><br />pictures and video: http://www.jaxa.jp/countdown/oicets_index/index_e.html