Sea Launch Update Bulletin May 1999 page

The launching of DemoSat is now a successful part of space history. Following the return of personnel aboard Sea Launch Commander to the Long Beach Home Port, the mission operations team reviewed the launch data and confirmed that all aspects of the launch operations were well within our established parameters for a successful mission. Reflecting on the mission, Sea Launch President Allen Ashby characterized it as an overwhelming success. "This is a tremendous way to move our program from the development to the operational phase," Ashby said.

Sea Launch's inaugural launch validated the overall program concept and demonstrated system capability. This is the culmination of four years of intense development work performed by thousands of aerospace and marine professionals throughout the world. As part of their analysis, the operations team verified that all environments - including acoustic, vibration and thermal - were right on the money, as well. The feat is even more impressive considering DemoSat is the largest commercial satellite structure ever launched into geosynchronous transfer orbit. The payload for the first launch was designed to mimic the mass properties of a 4,500 kg commercial spacecraft. The mission injected the satellite into a nominal geostationary transfer orbit with 4,900 kg of equivalent performance, which allowed the perigee to be lofted from 200 to 650 km.

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The launch window opened at 2:15 p.m. PST, Saturday, March 27. After a brief delay in initiating the final countdown software, the five-hour terminal count proceeded without interruption. Liftoff occurred 3.9 sec after engine ignition with a gross liftoff weight of I million lb and thrust of 1.6 million lb. Maximum dynamic pressure of 5,200 kgf/m2 was experienced 62 sec into flight. First stage separation occurred at 2 min, 26 sec. Fairing separation occurred at 3 min, 20 sec. Third-stage ignition occurred at 204.1 km attitude, completing the transition into the initial injection orbit. For this mission, the third stage performed a second burn for placement into the final transfer orbit. For other missions, specific profiles are designed to maximize performance via tailored staging, burn duration, and multiple third stage burns as required.

"WE HAVE LIFTOFF OF SEA LAUNCH" Sea Launch partners at the consoles in the Launch Control Center

The inaugural flight of Sea Launch reflects the efforts of the world's most internationally integrated launch team. Through the harmonized efforts of Boeing, Energia, SDO Yuzhnoye/P0 Yuzhmash, and Kvaerner employees, this launch demonstrates the tremendous feats that can be achieved through global cooperation, serving a global market. Sea Launch will provide cost-effective, reliable, and high-performance launch services for many years to come.

Demonstrating the performance of a standard commercial mission, DemoSat executed a precisely controlled flight profile as one of the most highly instrumented test missions ever flown. More than 130 sensors measured payload environments, validating Sea Launch's ability to safely and accurately deliver the payload to its orbit. Sensor telemetry data was transmitted in real-time from the payload directly to the command ship during line of sight communications, and then via TDRSS relay to North American land-based relay stations and back to the command ship via INTELSAT. A quick-look analysis was performed by team members at the launch site aboard the command ship and by the Seattle-based

payload integration and mission analysis team. Analysis results to date indicate this launch was an outstanding success. Injection accuracy was within 1.27 sigma of the target, and environments met all success criteria.

"The launch vehicle (Zenit-3SL) performed in an outstanding manner, proving our flight predictions, and the injection accuracy of DemoSat was near perfect. The Data Acquisition System performance was excellent. We received over 16 gigabytes of data, and the analysis of that data so far indicates that all spacecraft environments were within our specified requirements. From an operational standpoint, all systems performed exceptionally well. We started the countdown on schedule (March 25) with the ballasting of the Odyssey and launched within our window of opportunity 48 hours later (March 27). Post-launch inspections of the launch platform show it to be in excellent condition with no significant damage. All in all, we couldn't be happier with the results of our first launch!" Tim Hansen, Sea Launch Program Manager.

"We inspected the platform immediately following the launch," said Eric Laursen, Odyssey captain. "It was in magnificent shape; better than you could have hoped for. There were some plates on the flame trench that will have to be re-welded, but otherwise it was in super shape."

Both vessels have since returned to Home Port where preparations are underway for the first commercial launch in the August-September 1999 time frame.


Congratulations and welcome home to Seattle for Program Manager, Tim Hansen	Thumbs up from an inspired Mary Bejmuk and Lisa Stickles at the Home Port	At the Home Port, Hughes Space & Communications celebrants Jack Murphy, CR Johnson, Steve & Kathy Archer, and Dahl Lee
The highly anticipated first launch was viewed with world-class food and overwhelming enthusiasm as Sea Launch employees gathered to watch history in the making. Viewing events in Long Beach, Seattle, and the Cayman Islands were packed with well-wishers gathered to watch years of hard work and international cooperation come to fruition. Approximately 500 customers, dignitaries, media, and Sea Launch employees watched from Home Port where a warehouse was converted to a reception hall of a grand scale. Elsewhere, approximately 700 employees and their families gathered at Boeing headquarters in Seattle, while Caymans employees celebrated at an offsite location. Other employees and space enthusiasts tuned into the launch on the World Wide Web.

"This was an absolutely unforgettable event," said Amy Buhrig, Sea Launch vice president of marketing and sales. "It was great watching the rocket perform and to view the emotions and realization of dreams coming true; we're glad Sea Launch employees around the world were able to share in the moment."

A Message from Allen Ashby, President/General Manager of Sea Launch "First, let me say it's good to be back from the launch site with a success story to tell. Secondly, I would like to thank each and every Sea Launch employee and customer whose support contributed to making this first launch a resounding success. While many have focused on the technical aspects of what we collectively accomplished, this launch was about people, global cooperation, and the sincere belief in our capabilities as a team. Bringing people together from around the world and getting them to successfully perform as a team is a remarkable accomplishment and one we should all be proud of. As we begin preparations for our first commercial launch, we fully intend to build on this momentous first launch. Our journey is underway and this represents a tremendous start. Thanks again for your continued support." Allen