Spaceflight Now | Sea Launch Mission Report

Sea Launch mission events

SPACEFIGHT NOW
Posted: July 27, 2000

T+0:00:00	Liftoff
The first stage ignites and the Zenit 3SL rocket lifts off from the Odyssey launch platform in the Pacific Ocean. The rocket heads eastward along the equator with the PAS-9 satellite.

T+0:02:23	First stage shutdown
The first stage's RD-171 engine shuts down after its planned firing.

T+0:02:26	Stage separation
The Zenit rocket's first and second stages separate apart with the spent first stage falling back to Earth.

T+0:02:29	Second stage ignition
The second stage continues the push to orbit as its RD-120 engine starts.

T+0:03:10	Payload fairing separation
The payload fairing that protected the PAS-9 satellite during atmospheric ascent is jettisoned after no longer being needed.

T+0:09:05	Second stage separation
Having completed its job, the second stage of the Zenit booster is shut down. Separation occurs .6-seconds later.

T+0:09:15	Third stage ignition
The Russian-built Block DM-SL upper stage is ignited for the first of two planned firings to place the PAS-9 satellite into the desired orbit around Earth.

T+0:14:40	Third stage shutdown
The Block DM-SL third stage engine is commanded to shut down follow its first firing. The stage and attached PAS-9 satellite now enter a long coast period around Earth.

T+0:53:57	Third stage restart
The second firing of the Block DM-SL begins as the stage's engine is reignited to place the PAS-9 satellite into the proper geosynchronous transfer orbit.

T+0:59:40	Third stage shutdown
Block DM-SL shuts down after finishing its second burn. This completes the powered flight to loft the PAS-9 payload.

T+1:09:54	Spacecraft separation
PanAmSat's PAS-9 international communications satellite is released into space from the Block DM-SL upper stage to cover the Atlantic Ocean Region.

Data source: Sea Launch.

Flight Data File
Vehicle: Zenit 3SL
Payload: PAS-9
Launch date: July 28, 2000
Launch window: 2242-2342 GMT (6:42 to 7:42 p.m. EDT)
Launch site: Equator, 154 deg. West, Pacific Ocean

Pre-launch Briefing
Ground track - A map shows the track the Zenit will follow to orbit.

Orbit trace - The orbits PAS-9 will take during the hour-long journey to space.

Rocket - A look at the Zenit 3SL rocket and Block DM-SL upper stage.

The Sea Launch vessels - Overviews of the Sea Launch Commander and Odyssey launch platform.

PAS-9 satellite - The Hughes-built craft for PanAmSat.

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