New satellite has fuel leak

Satdude

Satdude

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New satellite has fuel leak

Rascom 1 was launched just nine days ago on a giant Ariane rocket, but now it has major problems.

Rascom is a satellite built by Thales-Alenia Space for the Regional African Satellite Communications Organisation, and designed to bring lower-cost communications access to telcos, ISPs and VSAT users via its 20 transponders (12 Ku-Band and 8 in C-Band). It is intended to be operational at 2.8 degrees West. The plan was that Rascom would allow Africa to "save" up to $500m a year, cash that is currently paid to players like Intelsat and Eutelsat in capacity fees and charges.

The launch from Kourou in French Guiana on Dec 21 was flawless in what was Ariane's sixth dual payload flight of the year. By Dec 29, however, problems were apparent. The satellite's "fuel tank" of helium was leaking. The Helium is used to fuel the satellite's on-board thrusters, crucial for the craft's correct station keeping. Thales says the satellite has been placed in a "stable configuration" for the time being while a detailed analysis of the problem takes place.

The Rascom satellite had a planned life of 15 years. The craft is fully insured (with Aon Explorer of Paris).

Also on board the Ariane on Dec 21 was Horizons-2, a smaller satellite built by Orbital Sciences Corp, and is a j-v satellite for use by Intelsat and Japan's JSAT. There are no reports of problems with this satellite.

Regards Satdude.
 
What techno ignoramus muppet wrote that press release ??

"Helium is used to fuel" ??

I dont think so. Helium is about as inert as you get. Used as reaction material for the thrusters maybe, but deffo not a fuel.

So where did you rip off this wonderful piece of reporting SD??
 
and designed to bring lower-cost communications access to telcos, ISPs and VSAT users via its 20 transponders (12 Ku-Band and 8 in C-Band).
Click to expand...

Tze tze tze you get what you pay for...
 
RASCOM-QAF1 early operation procedures have been stopped

Thales Alenia Space, a joint venture of Thales and Finmeccanica, said a problem with the RASCOM-QAF1 satellite it built for use in trans-African telecommunications has led to a halt in early post-launch operational procedures pending a detailed analysis.

The satellite was launched last week and has been put in a stable configuration. Thales Alenia said the problem involves a leak in the helium sub-system.

Regards Satdude.
 
04 February 2008
Thales Alenia Space announced today that further to the decision of RASCOMSTAR-QAF, the RASCOM-QAF1 satellite has been placed in its final geostationary orbit at 2.85° East.

Cannes, February 4, 2008 -Thales Alenia Space announced today that further to the decision of RASCOMSTAR-QAF, the RASCOM-QAF1 satellite has been placed in its final geostationary orbit at 2.85° East.

This final injection has been made possible thanks to the LEOP procedure established by Thales Alenia Space based on the best possible use of the remaining helium pressurant.

This 4-week process has started by a first apogee boost completed by the main apogee boost motor, followed by 18 additional apogee manoeuvres completed by smaller thrusters. This LEOP strategy has required a sharp technical control from the Thales Alenia Space team.

The satellite's lifetime is subject to further refinement, but is expected to be slightly over 2 years.
 
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