A Proton M Breeze M (Briz M) launch vehicle successfully carried the Yamal 601 communications satellite into orbit on its way to a geostationary operating position. However, the final orbit raising did not go as planned after a shutdown of the S-400 apogee kick motor due to a faulty attitude thought to be associated with the engine’s thrust vector related to a thrust chamber or nozzle wall anomaly.
The satellite is having to raise itself slowly to its planned geostationary orbit, employing an alternative plan using its on-board electric and conventional thrusters. Although the operational start has been delayed until July at the earliest, the satellite has enough fuel margin to achieve its full design life and so no claim for insurance loss is expected.
The launch took place from the Baikonur site, near Tyuratam in Kazakhstan, at 1742 GMT on 30 May. The 5,400kg satellite was officially built for JSC Gazprom Space Systems by Russian space manufacturer ISS Reshetnev. However, the Spacebus 4000 C4 bus/platform was supplied by Thales Alenia Space, the franco-italian manufacturer, which also supplied the communications payload of transponders.
Proton launches Yamal 601. Courtesy: Roscosmos
