The Ministry of Defense procured the Proton to launch a relay satellite, called Geyzer, this month. But more importantly, the launch is crucial for Rosaviacosmos, since it is designed to validate modified engines on the Proton's second and third stages -- engines that are needed to safely launch Zvezda. If the military and the space agency fail to mend their fences, the launch of Zvezda is in question.
Now, a plan for a June 20 launch for the earlier Proton rocket has all but evaporated because the Geyzer satellite fell behind schedule and has pushed back the launch test of the engines.
Rosaviacosmos, pressed by NASA and its other partners to move forward with the ISS construction schedule, proposed an alternate civilian payload -- an Express A-3 communications satellite -- for a ride on the modified Proton. That would preserve the June 20 launch date.
But so far, the Ministry of Defense has said "nyet" to the plan.
As far as NASA knows
Representatives of the Russian Ministry of Defense who are responsible for the Geyzer launch could not be reached for comment. And Rosaviacosmos representatives would not comment on the status of the satellite, however, they said that an unprecedented four launches of the Proton rocket could take place this month, including one with a military payload.
Counting the Geyzer launch, a total three Proton launches are currently crowded in the last 10 days of June
Two Protons with standard engines are scheduled to take off at the end of the month: on June 22, a Proton with the Express A-3 satellite for the Russian Satellite Communications Company and, on June 30, a Proton with the Sirius 1 satellite for a U.S. broadcasting company.
Kyle Herring, a NASA Johnson Space Center spokesman, said that according to information provided by Rosaviacosmos, the second Proton launch with modified engines still is set for June 30. And NASA documentation still lists Geyzer as a payload for this launch.
According to the latest plans, a review meeting to give the go-ahead for fueling and other "irreversible" pre-launch activities is set to take place between June 26 and 28, before the Phase 2 Proton takes off. This change so far has had no effect on ultimate launch date for the Zvezda service module.
"Russians are telling us [the Zvezda launch] will take place between [the] 10th and 12th of July," Herring said, "It was conveyed to us as recently as yesterday morning."
Firing engines
The new engines were hastily developed in the wake of two Proton crashes last year. Although subsequent Protons were launched successfully in February, Rosaviacosmos decided to keep the already long-delayed Zvezda module on the ground until they were convinced that the improved engines worked well.
For that reason, two Protons equipped with the modified engines and carrying less important payloads were scheduled to fly before the Zvezda launch. On Monday, the first such Proton lifted off and
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