AMC-14 Mid March Launch

[Poke]

Spaceflight Now | Tracking Station | Worldwide launch schedule

AMC 14
Launch time: TBD
Launch site: Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan

An International Launch Services Proton rocket with a Breeze M upper stage will launch the AMERICOM 14 communications spacecraft. The Lockheed Martin-built satellite will be used for EchoStar's DISH Network service. [Feb. 14]

 

[Poke]

More Info On AMC 14 Below..

AMC-14

 

[jpdubose]

Someone (don't remember who exactly) posted this link last week:

AMC14

 

[Poke]

Oh ok sorry..

 

[darrencp22]

Oh ok sorry..

I'll believe this when it's in the sky.

Why on earth do the launch these things in 3rd world countries?

 

[pdxsam]

I'll believe this when it's in the sky.

Why on earth do the launch these things in 3rd world countries?

because it's cheaper and they've got the system down. They can launch 'em with a pretty quick turn around.

 

[mdonnelly]

I'll believe this when it's in the sky.

Why on earth do the launch these things in 3rd world countries?

It's not like they're building them in 3rd world countries. They just mount it to the rocket there and light the match.

 

[kennya]

They just mount it to the rocket there and light the match.

Since they launch these in a third world country, wouldnt they have to use a stick and some straw or dry grass? Or maybe a striking two rocks together?

 

[tigerfan33]

I sure hope this and the Direct launch do not run into each other on the way up.

 

[TheKrell]

Why on earth do the launch these things in 3rd world countries?

"Why on earth" indeed! This is all about physics and countries that happen to lie nearest the equator.

To get anything into orbit, you need to get it up to orbital velocity, which for low earth orbit is around 17,000mph. If you launch from the equator, you get a "free" ~1000mph from the earth's rotation. That assumes you want a prograde orbit such as geo.

 

[kennya]

I sure hope this and the Direct launch do not run into each other on the way up.

That would really suck considering how bad we all want new HD on E*, but I must admit, I would laugh my ass off!

 

[darrencp22]

"Why on earth" indeed! This is all about physics and countries that happen to lie nearest the equator.

To get anything into orbit, you need to get it up to orbital velocity, which for low earth orbit is around 17,000mph. If you launch from the equator, you get a "free" ~1000mph from the earth's rotation. That assumes you want a prograde orbit such as geo.

Give this guy a physics degree!

 

[k1wy-bill]

What orbital slot is AMC 14 headed for?

 

[mike123abc]

What orbital slot is AMC 14 headed for?

61.5, probably going to take over for E3 which has some failed transponders.

 

[dogpoobob]

"Why on earth" indeed! This is all about physics and countries that happen to lie nearest the equator.

To get anything into orbit, you need to get it up to orbital velocity, which for low earth orbit is around 17,000mph. If you launch from the equator, you get a "free" ~1000mph from the earth's rotation. That assumes you want a prograde orbit such as geo.

Well, Kazakhstan certainly is not equatorial. It is, in fact, at 48 degrees north, kinda like Michigan.

 

[JohnL]

61.5, probably going to take over for E3 which has some failed transponders.

Some Failed transponders, Echo3 is almost a floating hunk of junk. Its only capable of transmitting less than half of the 32 transponders it should be capable of using.

John

 

[tsduke]

"Why on earth" indeed! This is all about physics and countries that happen to lie nearest the equator.

To get anything into orbit, you need to get it up to orbital velocity, which for low earth orbit is around 17,000mph. If you launch from the equator, you get a "free" ~1000mph from the earth's rotation. That assumes you want a prograde orbit such as geo.

Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan isn't exactly close to the equator.

 

[sparc]

kazakhstan was part of the former soviet union. The baikonur cosmodrome was part of the soviet equivalent of NASA.

The soviets built their launch pads there.

Baikonur Cosmodrome - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

[TheKrell]

Well, Kazakhstan certainly is not equatorial. It is, in fact, at 48 degrees north, kinda like Michigan.

Point --> dogpoobob. Of course I was speaking in generalities, which includes other nations such as French Guiana, or even sea launches. Kazakhstan is about as good as the former Soviet Union could manage while still launching from their own territory. This is a Proton rocket we're talking about.

Before anybody asks... No, I don't know why the Russians didn't put a launch site in Turkmenistan instead.

 

[Pakbackr]

Isn't that where Borat came from