A number of launch-plus-one placements for satellites that are due to be launched on Proton rockets have been put on hold while the market waits for the outcome of the Failure Review Oversight Board’s (FROB) investigation into December’s launch…
A number of launch-plus-one placements for satellites that are due to be launched on Proton rockets have been put on hold while the market waits for the outcome of the Failure Review Oversight Board’s (FROB) investigation into December’s launch anomaly.
One insurer told SatelliteFinance that the package placements that were due to be hit the market at the beginning of 2013 have been shelved until the Proton returns to flight.
In particular, Russian satellite operator RSCC is seeking insurance for its Express-AM5 and –AM6 satellites, while the Mexican government is seeking coverage for its Mexsat-1 and -2 spacecraft. Willis is placing the Express package while Aon/ISB is broker to Mexsat.
How long it will be until the Proton is given the go ahead to launch again is still unclear, although for commercial flights it is thought unlikely until late February / beginning of March at the earliest.
The reason for this is that while the Russian Space Agency Roscosmos recently received and approved the report by the Russian working group investigating the December launch failure, it now needs to clear Russian security in the week beginning 21 January. Once this occurs it will then be released to International Launch Services and the company can finally convene the FROB.
SatelliteFinance understands that the FROB, which comprises ILS, its satellite operator customers and a number of insurers, is likely to meet on 30 January and will take approximately eight days, following which a briefing to the insurance community is scheduled to take place in mid-February.
