The Proton rocket with SES-5 satellite being erected for the second time on July 7 (Credits: Roscosmos).

On July 9, the SES-5 communications satellite launched aboard a Proton-M rocket from Baikonur Cosmodrome. The launch had been repeatedly delayed due to a series of technical issues. SES-5 is slated to provide direct to home capacity over African, Nordic, and Baltic countries.

The satellite was first scheduled for launch in December 2011. A problem with its upper stage, the same Breeze-M whose failure placed the Express-AM4 telecommunication satellite in a useless orbit in August 2011, led to a launch delay until June 2012. International Launch Services (ILS), the launch provider, reported an out of specification telemetry reading from the launch pad on June 19. Although initial attempts were made to correct the problem on the spot, the rocket had to be rolled off the launch pad and one of its hydraulic drives completely replaced.

On June 29, repairs were complete and the rocket seemed ready to launch. Before it made it back out however, it was discovered that during the repairs, a technician had dropped a screw into the rocket’s oxidizer tank. Locating and removing the screw postponed the launch until July 9, when it finally took place.

In addition to SES-5, the launch played host to an EGNOS payload. EGNOS, or European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service, is an ESA and European Commission project to  improve navigation positioning  signals in Europe.

ILS is already commissioned for the launch of SES-6. That 6 ton satellite will  take off in 2013, tasked with enhancing cable coverage in North, Central, and South America.

“The SES-6 satellite is significant for Latin America and the Caribbean as there is rapid growth in these areas and we expect this trend to continue,” noted Romain Bausch, president and CEO of SES.

“At the same time, this launch will allow us to provide an early replacement and a meaningful upgrade to our Americas coverage.,” said Bausch. “We look forward to working with the ILS and Khrunichev teams on the launch of SES-6 mission and our future launches on ILS Proton.”

Watch the launch of SES-5 below:
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Merryl Azriel

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Having wandered into professional writing and editing after a decade in engineering, science, and management, Merryl now enjoys reintegrating the dichotomy by bringing space technology and policy within reach of an interested public. After three years as Space Safety Magazine’s Managing Editor, Merryl semi-retired to Visiting Contributor and manager of the campaign to bring the International Space Station collaboration to the attention of the Nobel Peace Prize committee. She keeps her pencil sharp as Proposal Manager for U.S. government contractor CSRA.

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