Astra problems...

[alexpgp]

The Alcatel Espace launch of the Astra-1K from Baikonur (via International Launch Services) did not go as planned. According to a report published on Rambler.ru, the 5-ton telecom satellite separated prematurely from its booster, leaving it in an orbit that will soon cause it to reenter the atmosphere and burn up.

Later on in the report, a possible "save" is described, entailing the use of the satellite's maneuvering thrusters to loft it into a geosynchronous orbit, which sounds interesting, but I get the feeling the idea won't fly (then again, that's just a gut feeling).

I found the last paragraph of the report interesting:

Между тем, телекоммуникации, в том числе и космические, - это, прежде всего, бизнес. Инвесторы проекта будут решать судьбу "Астры" с точки зрения интересов дела. Спутник был застрахован на 217 миллионов долларов. С другой стороны, на его создание было потрачено 5 лет, и сам аппарат не пострадал. Вероятнее всего, судьба спутника-гиганта больше зависит не от баллистических, а от бухгалтерских расчетов.

Meanwhile, telecommunications - including space telecom - is, before anything else, a business. Project investors will decide the fate of the Astra on the basis of business interests. The satellite was insured for US$217 million. On the other hand, it took 5 years to build the Astra, and the satellite itself is not damaged. Most likely, the giant satellite's fate will depend not so much on ballistic analysis, as it will on analysis done by beancounters.

Side note: My initial review of the text as a subject for translation noted that it was a shame that the alliteration of "баллистических" (ballistic) and "бухгалтерских" (accounting) would be lost. Fortunately, I think the use of "beancounter" (an acceptable term for "accountant" in the register of a business news article) patches that hole quite nicely.

I wonder if the follow-on launches will be delayed owing to this problem?

Cheers...