October 20, 2000

Sea Launch delays Thuraya launch Sea Launch news release LONG BEACH, Calif., - Sea Launch has rescheduled the launch of the Thuraya-1 satellite to Saturday, Oct. 21. The 45-minute launch window will open at 1:52 a.m. EDT (0552 GMT).

The launch, originally scheduled for Oct. 19, was delayed due to an instrumentation issue identified during pre-launch operations. The Sea Launch team has determined the root cause of the problem and has implemented correction action. Following system checkout to verify readiness for launch, the countdown will resume for Saturday's launch. All other systems are functioning nominally.

During Sea Launch Mission Five, the Zenit-3SL vehicle will lift the Thuraya-1 mobile communications satellite into geosynchronous transfer orbit (GTO) from a floating launch platform on the Equator. Designed for a 12-year lifespan, the Thuraya-1 satellite will provide more than 1.8 billion subscribers -- covering three continents -- with telephone, voice mail, Interactive Voice Response, data, fax and GPS.

Sea Launch provides commercial satellite customers the most direct and cost-effective route to geosynchronous transfer orbit. From the ocean-based launch site, the robust Sea Launch Zenit-3SL rocket can lift a heavier spacecraft mass or place a payload into a higher perigee, helping satellite operators to attain a longer satellite service capability.

http://www.flatoday.com/space/explore/stories/2000b/102000s.htm

-- Doris (reaper@pacifier.com), October 20, 2000