Momentum continues to build at ILS' majority shareholder and manufacturer of the Proton M / Breeze M launch vehicle, Khrunichev State Research and Production Space Center ("Khrunichev") in respect to systemwide quality improvements and launch tempo. Khrunichev was recently chosen by The Boeing Company for one of their 2018 Performance Excellence Awards.
ILS recently organized a Quality Review & Factory Tour on July 10th & 11th in Moscow. The event included participation by Roscosmos State Corporation, Glavkosmos, ILS International Launch Services and RC-Insurance. It was attended by over 85 representatives of the space underwriter, broker, manufacturer and customer communities. Leading industry specialists and insurance market experts discussed issues related to Proton M quality and insurance coverage procurement. Roman Khokhlov, Khrunichev Deputy Director for Production, briefed attendees about the production and operation of the Proton and Angara launch vehicles, while Boris Omigov, Khrunichev Quality, and Certification Deputy Director-General spoke of the Khrunichev Quality Management System that is highly emphasized in the company.
These quality initiatives that were communicated are realizing tangible results. Proton's five-year reliability rate has now improved to 95.7% and launch tempo is increasing. With next week's launch of Proton - it's third mission of 2019 - the vehicle will have flown 3 times in 68 days.
Khrunichev Space Center, which commissioned the Boeing Company’s first block of the International Space Station (ISS), the Zarya Functional Cargo Block (FGB) more than 20 years ago, plans to extend cooperation with Boeing to further support the operation of the module. “Currently work is underway to conclude additional contracts with Boeing to ensure the operation of the module from 2021 to 2024,” stated Khrunichev’s press department.
Negotiations were held in June between Khrunichev and Boeing on fulfilling obligations of the current contract and completing key stages of accepting equipment intended for the full-time operation of FGB Zarya.
Khrunichev was the recipient of Boeing’s 2018 “Performance Excellence Award” award for its work in ensuring the operation, modernization and completion of the Dawn equipment being replaced in orbit. Boeing presents the award to its suppliers for full compliance with the quality standards of production and meeting the deadlines for product delivery. The contract for the creation of the FGB was signed in October 1994 with Lockheed. In 1995 the subcontract for the FGB was transferred to Boeing as the main contractor for the ISS.