Baikonur LC250
Site · Russia
Original archive entry. The text, images and links below are kept as they were written.
Energia launch complex.
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Chronology
1 event
1987 May 15
17:30 GMT - . Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: Baikonur LC250. LV Family: Buran. Launch Vehicle: Energia. FAILURE: No orbital insertion due to failure of the FGB attitude control system (Energia performed perfectly). Partial Failure.. Failed Stage: P.- Polyus - .
Payload: Skif-DM. Mass: 80,000 kg (176,000 lb). Nation: Russia.
Agency: UNKS.
Program: Buran.
Class: Military.
Type: Strategic defense satellite. Spacecraft Bus: TKS.
Spacecraft: Polyus.
Decay Date: 1987-05-15 . COSPAR: F870515A.
Due to delays in completion of the enormous static test facility at Baikonur, which could test the entire Energia vehicle stack, it was decided to launch the vehicle without the verification the tests would provide. The launch of 6SL was planned for 11 May 1987 at 21:30 Moscow time. It was delayed five days when a leak was detected in the Block 3A electrical distribution section, then by another hour due to a fault LH2 thermostat. The launch vehicle performed successfully, but the Polyus payload failed to inject itself into orbit due to a guidance system failure. Additional Details: here....