Communications satellite launched from ocean platform

Communications satellite launched from ocean platform

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Story Published: Jan 15, 2008 at 8:59 AM PDT

Story Updated: Jan 15, 2008 at 8:59 AM PDT

By Associated Press

LONG BEACH, Calif. (AP) - A Boeing-built mobile voice and data services satellite was successfully launched from a Pacific Ocean platform Tuesday morning.

The Thuraya-3 satellite took off at 3:49 a.m. PST Tuesday from a spot on the equator as part of a mission to expand the Abu Dhabi-based company's coverage in the Asia Pacific region.

The first attempt to launch the satellite in November by Long Beach-based Sea Launch Co. was foiled because of unusually strong currents that affected Sea Launch's oceangoing rocket platform.

The self-propelled platform and the launch command ship had to return to home port in Long Beach, resupply and sail back to the Pacific Ocean launch site.

The mission involves putting a mobile voice and data services satellite for Abu Dhabi-based Thuraya Satellite Telecommunications Co. into orbit

The Sea Launch system is designed to take advantage of physics that allow a rocket launched from the equator to carry a heavier payload into orbit than it could if the launch point was elsewhere on the Earth's surface.

Sea Launch is owned by Boeing Co., RSC-Energia of Moscow, Aker ASA of Oslo, Norway, and SDO Yuzhnoye/PO Yuzhmash of Dnepropetrovsk, Ukraine.

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