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Paula Korn
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Thursday, 11 September 2008 |
The Sea Launch vessels have departed Sea Launch Home Port and are now on their way to the Equator for the launch of Intelsat’s Galaxy 19 satellite, on September 23.
Liftoff is planned for 2:28am Pacific Daylight Time (9:28 GMT), at the opening of a two-hour launch window.
Upon arrival at the launch site, at 154 degrees West Longitude, the Sea Launch team will initiate a 72-hour countdown. After ballasting the Odyssey Launch Platform to launch depth, the team will rollout and erect a Zenit-3SL rocket on the launch pad, execute final tests and then proceed with fueling operations and launch. Prior to fueling, all personnel on the Launch Platform will transfer to the Sea Launch Commander for the duration of the mission. The team monitors both marine and launch operations remotely from the ship, positioned about four miles uprange of the platform.
On launch day, the Zenit-3SL vehicle will lift the 4,690 kg (10,316 lb) Galaxy 19 spacecraft to geosynchronous transfer orbit. Built by Space Systems/Loral (SS/L), the 1300-series hybrid spacecraft carries a total of 52 physical transponders. The Galaxy 19 satellite will provide Intelsat customers valuable 50-state coverage, as well the Caribbean, Canada and Mexico. It will be located at 97 degrees West Longitude.
About Sea Launch
Sea Launch Company, LLC, headquartered in Long Beach, Calif., offers the most direct and cost-effective route to geostationary orbit for commercial communications satellites. With the advantage of a launch site on the Equator, the robust Zenit-3SL rocket can lift a heavier mass or provide longer life on orbit, offering best value plus optimized spacecraft orbital delivery. Sea Launch also offers launch services for medium weight satellites - Land Launch - originating from the Baikonur Space Center in Kazakhstan. |
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