Sea Launch rocket lofts Eutelsat satellite

Dec 03, 2012

(AP)—Sea Launch AG says it has placed a communication satellite into orbit for global provider Eutelsat.

A Zenit-3SL rocket carrying the Eutelsat-70B satellite lifted off from 's oceangoing platform in the equatorial Pacific at 12:43 p.m. PST (20:43 GMT) Monday.

Sea Launch says the satellite successfully separated and a ground station acquired its first signals from orbit.

The satellite will provide coverage over Europe, Africa, Central Asia and as far as Australia. It's expected to go into service in January and is designed to last more than 15 years.

Switzerland-based Sea Launch sends its self-propelled launch platform and a command ship from their homeport in Long Beach, Calif., to the equator, where heavy payloads can more easily be lofted into orbit.

Explore further: Sea Launch conducts satellite launch for Intelsat

5 /5 (1 vote)

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

add to favorites email to friend print save as pdf

Related Stories

Sea Launch vessels depart on Intelsat mission

May 21, 2012

(AP) -- Sea Launch AG says its oceangoing rocket pad and command ship have departed their Long Beach, Calif., home port for the equator to launch a communications satellite for Intelsat.

Sea Launch Successfully Delivers XM-3 to Orbit

Mar 01, 2005

Sea Launch Company successfully delivered XM Satellite Radio’s XM-3 satellite to orbit from its ocean-based platform on the Equator, in its first mission of the 2005 manifest. Early data indicate the spacecraft ...

Recommended for you

Dark, massive asteroid to fly by Earth on May 31

May 24, 2013

It's 1.7 miles long. Its surface is covered in a sticky black substance similar to the gunk at the bottom of a barbecue. If it impacted Earth it would probably result in global extinction. Good thing it is ...

Research team explains 'Lazarus' comets

May 24, 2013

Astronomers from the University of Antioquia have discovered a graveyard of comets. These once-dormant comets, dubbed by astronomers as "The Lazarus comets," are now rejuvenated.

NASA ships sensors for seafaring satellite to France

May 24, 2013

(Phys.org) —Three NASA-built instruments that are integral components of the next in a series of U.S./European ocean altimetry satellites have arrived in France for integration with their spacecraft in ...

Trip into space with DiCaprio costs $1.55m

May 24, 2013

Leonardo DiCaprio is going to get closer to stars of a different kind as he heads into space aboard the Virgin Galactic, and a well-heeled bidder at the Cannes Film Festival has paid 1.2 million euros (1.5 million) to be ...

User comments : 2

Adjust slider to filter visible comments by rank

Display comments: newest first

baudrunner
1 / 5 (2) Dec 03, 2012
Switzerland-based Sea Launch sends its self-propelled launch platform and a command ship from their homeport in Long Beach, Calif., to the equator, where heavy payloads can more easily be lofted into orbit.
I don't agree with that statement. The only advantage to be gained by lifting off from a sea-based platform at the equator is the saving in fuel, by way of the assist provided by the rate of Earth's rotation at that latitude. It certainly isn't easier, though.

Also, the Zenit-3SL has a payload capacity of only about 6,000 kilograms. Compare that to the Saturn V's payload capacity of 2.8 million kilograms. Would it be easier for Sea Launch to send one of those monsters into space than to use a land based launch facility? I think not.
ShotmanMaslo
not rated yet Dec 04, 2012

Also, the Zenit-3SL has a payload capacity of only about 6,000 kilograms. Compare that to the Saturn V's payload capacity of 2.8 million kilograms.


Huh? Saturn V had a payload capacity of 120 000 kilograms.

More news stories

Galaxies fed by funnels of fuel

(Phys.org) —Computer simulations of galaxies growing over billions of years have revealed a likely scenario for how they feed: a cosmic version of swirly straws.

Century-old science helps confirm global warming

(Phys.org) —Ocean measurements taken more than 135 years ago during the scientific expedition of HMS Challenger have provided further confirmation of human-produced global warming over the past century.