BAIKONUR COSMODROME -- On Wednesday, July 12 the work of personnel at the launch pad 23 here in Kazakhstan will determine the future of human spaceflight for the international community for years to come.
Here is the look at the schedule. If all goes as planned, it will lead to a successful liftoff and delivery of the Zvezda service module into orbit (All times Eastern Daylight Time; GMT):
- July 11 -- 5:26 p.m. to 7:26 p.m. (21:26 to 23:26 GMT): The RKK Energia team removes protective covers from the payload section housing the Zvezda module atop the Proton booster. The module is carefully photographed.
- July 11 -- 6:00 p.m. to 6:10 p.m. (22:00 to 22:10 GMT): Military personnel who service the launch pad 23 line up at the base of the complex.
- July 11 -- 6:00 p.m. to 6:26 p.m. (22:00 to 22:26 GMT): The personnel report to their various work stations on the launch complex.
- July 11 -- 6:26 p.m. to 7:56 p.m. (22:26 to 23:56 GMT): The personnel prepare equipment that will be used to load hundreds of tons of highly toxic propellants into the Proton fuel tanks.
- July 11 -- 6:30 p.m. (22:30 GMT): As they do so, the State Commission that oversees the launch convenes to review and give final approval for fueling.
- July 11 -- 7:56 p.m. to 9:36 p.m. (23:56 to July 12 -- 01:36 GMT): Nitrogen tetroxide, oxidizer for the Proton's engines, is pumped into its tanks.
- July 11 -- 9:36 p.m. to 10:46 p.m. (July 12 -- 01:36 to 02:46 GMT): Next, the Proton is filled with unsymmetrical dimethyl hydrazine, which serves as fuel.
- July 11 -- 10:46 p.m. to July 12 -- 12:41 a.m. (July 12 -- 02:46 to 04:41 GMT): The launch sequence is put on hold while special lines providing thermal control inside the payload module are removed and visual inspection of the module's exterior is conducted.
- July 11 -- 11:46 p.m. (July 12 -- 03:46 GMT): The payload module containing Zvezda put into final readiness for launch
- July 12 12:41 a.m. to 12:46 a.m. (04:41 to 04:46 GMT): The launch pad personnel leave the service tower surrounding the rocket and are evacuated from the launch complex.
- July 12 -- 12:46 a.m. (04:46 GMT): The service tower rolls back from the Proton rocket and Zvezda leaving them to stand free on the launch pad.
- July 12 -- 12:51 a.m. to 1:11 a.m. (04:51 to 05:11 GMT): The final corrections are input into the Proton's guidance system.
- July 12 -- 1:11 a.m. (05:11 GMT): The Proton's propulsion system confirmed ready for launch.
- July 12 -- 1:51 a.m. (05:51 GMT): Zvezda confirmed ready for launch.
- July 12 -- 1:56:28 a.m. (05:56:28 GMT): Liftoff.
The first stage of the Proton rocket is expected to separate 125.95 seconds after the launch. It is expected to impact in the region near the city of Karaganda in western Kazakhstan.
Four seconds prior to the separation, the second stage's four engines will ignite. After 182.20 seconds have elapsed the protective payload shroud covering Zvezda should separate.
The third stage's single engine will ignite after 331.10 seconds. Three seconds later the second stage is shed. and will impact in the Altai region.
At 587.645 seconds after the launch, after the third stage of the Proton rocket separates, Zvezda is expected to reach orbit.
Zvezda's initial orbit should range between a low point of 115 miles (185 kilometers) and a high point of 220 miles (355 kilometers) above Earth. The spacecraft will complete a complete orbit once every in 89.61 minutes.
advertisement
