[FPSPACE] QuickBird 1 launch failed

[Igor Lissov]

Hi all,

> QuickBird 1 should have been launched from Plesetsk Area 132 by
> Kosmos-3M launch vehicle November 20 at 22:00 UTC.
> Intended orbit inclination is 66 deg.

The launch failed. No confirmation was received of objects at intended
orbit.
OIG has the following elset:

QUICKBIRD 1    Decayed: 2000/11/21
1 26617U 00074A   00325.94892426 -.00001935  61190-5  00000+0 0    11
2 26617  65.7786  26.7900 0395802 357.8580   2.0863 15.73746337    05

This corresponds to orbit of 84x616 kilometers. Obviously, second stage
failure to circularize orbit, or large error in velocity vector pointing.
Launch has been delayed one hour due to problems at a U.S. ground station.

Igor Marinin, Igor Lissov
Novosti Kosmonavtiki
Moscow, Russia