Sea Launch to launch again
Published on Nov 12, 2007 at 3:24 pm.
2 Comments.
Filed under space businesses.
Sea Launch, a joint venture between Boeing, Energia, Aker Kvaevner, and Yuzhnoye is an interesting company. They use Russian Zenit rockets to launch satellites into space. But, unlike other, more standard, launch systems, which use a fixed launch site, Sea Launch launches these rockets from a converted offshore drilling platform.
There are several very reasons that launching from a mobile offshore site is a very good idea. For one thing, the launch platform can be positioned anywhere on Earth that you want to launch. Frequently, that would mean launching from near the equator. That is easy to do if you can move the launch pad anywhere that you want. It is difficult to do if you have to work with a fixed launch site and deal with local governments, and many of the governments along the equator are not so willing to work with foreign companies wanting to launch rockets form their country. So, you can launch from international waters somewhere along the equator. What a great idea! Also, in the event of a launch failure, there is no one around for debris to fall on, so that alleviates some safety concerns. And, in the event of a storm system moving towards the launch site, you just tow the launch facilities away from the storm instead of trying to ride it out. This makes so much sense that you wonder why other companies don’t do it.
Sea Launch has a very good track record, too, with 21 successful launches out of 24 attempts, dating back to 1999. However, they had a rather spectacular failure back on January 30, when their rocket exploded on the launch pad. I imagine that this was particularly embarrassing for them because it happened during a live webcast of the launch. I remember watching the launch live right before heading off to teach a class, only the launch didn’t work right. Instead of the rocket soaring into space, it collapsed into a giant fireball. Seconds later, the webcast cut to the Sea Launch logo. Naturally, within just a sort time, the whole event was posted to Youtube! I’ve got a link to it, here (just click on the picture):
After the launch failure in January, Sea Launch put operations on hold for a while until they determined what caused the launch difficulties. That also let them repair their mobile launch platform (which, amazingly, was not damaged all that badly). However, on Tuesday or Wednesday, they plan to resume launches with the launch of a communications satellite built by Boeing for Thuraya Satellite Telecommunications, a United Arab Emirates company.
The launch pad, rocket, and satellite are already on location and final preparations are being made for liftoff. As before, they will show the launch with a live webcast. I am confident that this launch will likely go off without problems. I’ll try to catch it, though, since it is always interesting to me to watch rockets launch.
-Astroprof
(Image courtesy of Sea Launch)
Darnell Clayton on November 12, 2007 at 7:36 pm: 1
I am actually quite surprised why more companies are not considering doing sea launches.
I have a feeling that as the space race heats up, we may see a lot more of these “sea space ports” off shore, as many companies will try to find inexpensive ways to launch rockets into space (think taxes).
Then again, if you are already bankrolling a billion dollars, you could also buy your own island.
Graham on November 13, 2007 at 8:03 am: 2
Britain has an unusable island called Gruinard that is (probably) contaminated with anthrax from a WW11 experiment and I am sure the British Government would like to sell it (minus its sovereignty). It is about 500 acres and has 50 sheep that are not allowed to be sold in case it causes collywobbles in the local community.
Somewhat larger than an oil rig, it should be stable enough for the largest vehicle although it does not possess equatorial fling.
Plenty of heather, though.