Communications satellite launched from ocean platform
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.
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.