SEA LAUNCH EXAMINES FLIGHT GUIDELINES FOLLOWING XM MISHAP
In wake of aborted XM launch, Sea Launch said it may change countdown procedures (CD Jan 11 p2) while technicians check spacecraft and satellites for possible flaws that could cause in- orbit problems. Boeing Satellite Systems waited until 24 sec. before liftoff to issue order and 2 sec. before ignition before deciding to stop launch because of apparent out-of-specification condition that later was determined to be within operating parameters, spokesman said. Boeing engineers gave order that halted launch. Once preignition fluid was injected into Sea Launch rocket’s main engine, entire process, including engine refurbishing, must take place before it can be used in another launch attempt. “Once you get an engine wet, it has to be cleaned out,” Sea Launch spokeswoman said: “If we had done it earlier, there could have been a faster turnaround” on relaunch. Sea Launch and its customers would have to agree before change could be made.
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New procedures would allow relaunch in days instead of weeks, spokeswoman said. Under current requirements, aborted launch of XM means 6th liftoff for Sea Launch will be delayed 50 days. Sea Launch believes if there had been deadline, XM satellite could have been flown and company could have been saved money and time because deadline would be set at point in countdown where engineers would be able to shut down system before preignition fluid was released into main engine. Sea Launch spokeswoman said company hadn’t set timetable on making decision on possible changes in launch procedures. Sea Launch system is automated and takes longer to shut down than others, spokeswoman said.
Postponement of XM-1 was first aborted flight for Sea Launch, which had been successful in 4 of 5 earlier launches. New launch date for XM-1 is Feb. 28, with XM-2 due in April. Despite close scrutiny of satellite industry because of relatively new service, Sea Launch doesn’t think problems with XM satellite will have significant impact, spokeswoman said: “We are operational. Every mission we evaluate it.” Spokeswoman wouldn’t confirm industry report that launch delay would cost $5-$10 million, and 3 companies involved still were trying to determine liability.
Boeing and Sea Launch were conducting investigations into launch. Boeing spokesman reiterated company policy of stopping flights when “out-of-specification” condition is detected. “The bottom line is, our customers need to know the spacecraft is healthy when it launches and we'll do that on every launch, if necessary.”