On Saturday, the Thales Alenia Space-built Yamal 402 satellite failed to reach its orbit after the Proton rocket carrying the bird encountered a problem during the fourth and final burn. The US-based International Launch Services and Russia’s Khrunichev State Research and Production Space Center have already begun investigating why the Proton Breeze M’s upper stage engine’s final burn ended four minutes early, and then separated from the Yamal 402.
The Yamal communications satellite was developed for Moscow-based Gazprom Space Systems. Thales is currently looking for a solutions to salvage the spacecraft. Gazprom has been using SES Astra’s 1F satellite since August of last year, awaiting the Yamal 402’s launch into orbit. According to reports, the failed communications satellite was built to service the Middle East, Africa, and Europe.
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