The Sesat commercial satellite launch scheduled for April 6 has been postponed due to possible technical problems with the third stage of the Proton rocket booster.
In the investigation of the October 27, 1999 Proton failure it was discovered that one of the 12 bolts on the cover of a turbopump bearing was not safely wired. The same work crews maintained the bolts on each rocket.
"None of the prelaunch tests of this Proton did determine any malfunctions of the launch vehicle," said Sergey Zhiltsov, the director of the Khrunichev Space Center public relations department. "However, it was decided to replace the vehicle by a similar rocket."
Zhiltsov said the decision was made for three reasons:
First, it was impossible for the commission to ensure the quality of the assembled engine's turbopump lids.
After the recent Proton failures, quality standards were considerably heightened at Khrunichev to eliminate even the slightest possibility of any malfunction.
Finally, Zhiltsov said, since Proton is one of the main "workhorses" of the International Space Station, and also one of the world's major commercial launch vehicles, its operation attracts special attention from the international community.
"Proton enjoys a well-deserved reputation of one of the most reliable launch vehicles in the world -- and it should remain such," said Zhiltsov.
The new date for Proton launch has been set between April 16 and 18, 2000.
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