BY SPACEFLIGHT NOW

Follow the countdown and flight of the Sea Launch Zenit 3SL rocket with the Galaxy 3C communications spacecraft. Reload this page for the very latest on the mission.

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SATURDAY, JUNE 15, 2002

Sea Launch's Zenit 3SL rocket roared off its ocean-going launch platform for the first time in over a year Saturday, carrying the ultra-powerful Galaxy 3C communications satellite into its planned Earth orbit. Read full story.

0005 GMT (8:05 p.m. EDT)

Ground controllers have received the first signals from the Galaxy 3C spacecraft, confirming the satellite is alive following its successful ride into space by Sea Launch.

Check back later tonight for a complete wrap-up story.

2341 GMT (7:41 p.m. EDT)

T+plus 61 minutes, 52 seconds. SPACECRAFT SEPARATION! PanAmSat's Galaxy 3C satellite has been released from the Block DM-SL upper stage to complete this 8th flight for Sea Launch and first in over a year. Contact with the craft through a ground station is expected in a few minutes to verify the satellite's health following its journey into orbit.

2339 GMT (7:39 p.m. EDT)

T+plus 60 minutes. One hour since the Sea Launch Zenit 3SL rocket blasted off from the Odyssey platform in the equatorial waters of the Pacific Ocean about 1,400 miles southeast of Hawaii. Spacecraft separation is about two minutes away. The deployment will occur high above the Central Indian Ocean.

At this point, the upper stage has maneuvered to the proper attitude for satellite deployment.

2330 GMT (7:30 p.m. EDT)

T+plus 51 minutes, 20 seconds. Cutoff of the Block DM-SL's 11D58M main engine has been confirmed. This completes the powered phase of today's launch. The stage will now coast for another 10 minutes before deploying the Galaxy 3C satellite.

2329 GMT (7:29 p.m. EDT)

T+plus 50 minutes. Block DM nearing completion of its burn.

2324 GMT (7:24 p.m. EDT)

T+plus 45 minutes. The vehicle is now approaching the western coast of Africa along the equator.

2324 GMT (7:24 p.m. EDT)

T+plus 44 minutes, 40 seconds. The Block DM-SL upper stage is firing again for a six-and-a-half-minute burn to accelerate Galaxy 3C into the targeted geosynchronous transfer orbit.

2322 GMT (7:22 p.m. EDT)

T+plus 43 minutes. The coast period is nearing an end as the upper stage is about 90 seconds from reigniting.

2316 GMT (7:16 p.m. EDT)

T+plus 37 minutes. Sea Launch reports everything is operating normally in the coast phase.

2302 GMT (7:02 p.m. EDT)

T+plus 23 minutes. The upper stage and Galaxy 3C continue in the quiet coast phase. The Ukrainian-built Zenit first and second stages have done there job. Now the satellite cargo needs one more firing by the Russian Block DM to achieve the intended geosynchronous transfer orbit for deployment.

2253 GMT (6:53 p.m. EDT)

T+plus 14 minutes. Sea Launch confirms Earth orbit has been achieved.

The stage and attached will coast in a preliminary parking orbit around Earth for the next half-hour before the next firing to complete the powered phase of launch. The stage restart is due to occur at T+plus 44 minutes, 34 seconds into flight. Spacecraft deployment is scheduled for T+plus 61 minutes, 48 seconds after launch.

2252 GMT (6:52 p.m. EDT)

T+plus 13 minutes, 8 seconds. The first of two firings by the Block DM-SL upper stage has been completed to deliver the Galaxy 3C spacecraft into geosynchronous transfer orbit.

2250 GMT (6:50 p.m. EDT)

T+plus 11 minutes. The Russian-made Block DM-SL upper stage will fire for another two-and-a-half minutes or so to inject the Galaxy 3C satellite into a preliminary parking orbit.

2249 GMT (6:49 p.m. EDT)

T+plus 10 minutes. Good readings from the upper stage main engine.

2248 GMT (6:48 p.m. EDT)

T+plus 9 minutes. And now confirmation that the Block DM-SL upper stage has ignited for the first of two burns to deliver Galaxy 3C into geosynchronous transfer orbit.

2248 GMT (6:48 p.m. EDT)

T+plus 8 minutes, 40 seconds. The second stage vernier engines have been shut down and the spent stage has been jettisoned. It will impact the Pacific Ocean about 4,500 km downrange.

2248 GMT (6:48 p.m. EDT)

T+plus 8 minutes, 30 seconds. Vehicle remains stable in advance of stage jettison.

2247 GMT (6:47 p.m. EDT)

T+plus 7 minutes, 30 seconds. Confirmation now received of second stage RD-120 main engine cutoff. The vehicle is now coasting before separation of the stage in about a minute.

2245 GMT (6:45 p.m. EDT)

T+plus 6 minutes. About 2 1/2 minutes left to go in the second stage flight before separation.

2244 GMT (6:44 p.m. EDT)

T+plus 5 minutes. The second stage engine continues to fire.

2243 GMT (6:43 p.m. EDT)

T+plus 4 minutes. The payload fairing, or nose cone, of the rocket has separated. It will impact the Pacific Ocean about 1,000 km downrange. Also, NASA's Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System has acquired signal from the Block DM-SL upper stage.

2242 GMT (6:42 p.m. EDT)

T+plus 3 minutes, 10 seconds. Good pressure readings on the second stage engine.

2242 GMT (6:42 p.m. EDT)

T+plus 3 minutes. The first stage RD-171 engine has shutdown as planned and the spent stage was jettisoned. It will impact the Pacific Ocean about 800 km downrange. Ignition of the second stage engine has been confirmed.

2241 GMT (6:41 p.m. EDT)

T+plus 2 minutes. The first stage engine is being throttled to ease the dynamic loads on the rocket and satellite.

2240 GMT (6:40 p.m. EDT)

T+plus 70 seconds. The Zenit is passing through maximum dynamic pressure. Engine pressures reported normal. Vehicle is stable. Official launch time was 2239:29 GMT.

2239 GMT (6:39 p.m. EDT)

T+plus 20 seconds. The Zenit rocket is pitching over to the proper trajectory with a normal engine thrust reported.

2239 GMT (6:39 p.m. EDT)

LIFTOFF! Liftoff of the Sea Launch Zenit 3SL rocket with PanAmSat's powerhouse Galaxy 3C telecommunications spacecraft!

2238 GMT (6:38 p.m. EDT)

T-minus 1 minute. Now 60 seconds away from liftoff. All systems reported ready. The Galaxy 3C is running on internal power and healthy.

2237 GMT (6:37 p.m. EDT)

T-minus 2 minutes. The engine start preparations are beginning to ready the first stage RD-171 powerplant for ignition. The Russian-made engine has four nozzles and powers the rocket for the first two minutes, 24 seconds of flight.

2235 GMT (6:35 p.m. EDT)

T-minus 4 minutes and counting. Initial readiness checks of managers indicates all systems are "go" for an on-time launch. The final clearance for liftoff will begin at T-minus 1 minute. Meanwhile, the transporter/erector arm is now fully retracted to the hangar and the doors have been sealed.

2234 GMT (6:34 p.m. EDT)

T-minus 5 minutes and counting. Standing by for final readiness polls.

2231 GMT (6:31 p.m. EDT)

T-minus 8 minutes and counting. All continues to proceed well with the countdown. Sea Launch is not reporting any technical problems.

2230 GMT (6:30 p.m. EDT)

T-minus 9 minutes and counting. The weather conditions at the launch site along the equator are within limits for liftoff just minutes from now.

2228 GMT (6:28 p.m. EDT)

T-minus 11 minutes and counting. The automated countdown control system is completing final systems checks on the rocket, Sea Launch reports. Also at this point, the final sweep of the launch danger area by the Sea Launch helicopter is being finished to verify it is clear of any ships or aircraft.

2224 GMT (6:24 p.m. EDT)

T-minus 15 minutes and counting. The launch team confirms fueling of the Zenit rocket and its Block DM-SL upper stage has been completed. Also, thousands of gallons of sea water are being automatically pumped into the Odyssey launch platform to keep the converted oil-drilling rig stable for today's liftoff.

2222 GMT (6:22 p.m. EDT)

T-minus 17 minutes and counting. The countdown is reaching a major milestone as the transporter/erector arm is retracted from against the rocket. The arm was used earlier to roll the rocket out of the environmentally-controlled hangar atop the Odyssey platform and to lift the rocket upright. Once the arm is lowered to the platform deck, it will be rolled back into the hangar and the build doors closed for launch.

2220 GMT (6:20 p.m. EDT)

Sea Launch is counting down the final minutes to its flight of the Zenit 3SL rocket carrying the Galaxy 3C spacecraft for operator PanAmSat. Sea Launch officials aboard the command and control ship located at 154 degrees West longitude on the equator report all systems are go for liftoff at 2239:30 GMT.

2139 GMT (5:39 p.m. EDT)

Now one hour away from the scheduled launch time.

2045 GMT (4:45 p.m. EDT)

The countdown continues for today's launch of the Sea Launch Zenit 3SL rocket. Officials report activities at the equator are still proceeding well with no issues being worked.

Fueling operations should be underway at this time aboard the Odyssey platform. The vehicle will be loaded with kerosene propellant and cryogenic liquid oxygen. The platform is cleared off all workers for this hazardous activity, with all personnel moved to the Sea Launch Commander ship safely positioned about 3.5 miles away.

1900 GMT (3:00 p.m. EDT)

As of 2 p.m. EDT today, Sea Launch reported that the countdown was on schedule for liftoff of its Zenit 3SL rocket with Galaxy 3C. Launch time is 2239:30 GMT (6:39:30 p.m. EDT), the opening of a 44-minute window.

No technical problems are being worked and the weather conditions at the launch site along the equator in the Pacific are acceptable.

FRIDAY, JUNE 14, 2002

Countdown operations are proceeding in advance of Saturday's planned launch of the Sea Launch Zenit 3SL rocket with the Galaxy 3C communications satellite aboard.

The 44-minute launch window opens at 2239 GMT (6:39 p.m. EDT). Liftoff will take place from the Odyssey launch platform, anchored in the Pacific Ocean along at the equator at 154 degrees West longitude.

After arriving earlier this week, workers on the Sea Launch Commander control ship and the Odyssey launch platform took part in a series of final tests and preparations for launch. The 72-hour countdown clock began ticking backwards Wednesday evening, and the Zenit 3SL rocket was rolled out of its hangar and erected vertically on the Odyssey platform Friday afternoon.

Processing for the upcoming mission started on April 29 with the arrival of the Galaxy 3C spacecraft at the Sea Launch home port in Long Beach, California. The craft was soon taken to the payload processing facility to begin checkouts, fueling operations, and finally encapsulation inside the payload fairing.

Once the satellite was declared ready for flight, the payload unit -- including the spacecraft, the rocket's protective nose cone, and the payload adapter -- was transported on May 19 from the payload building to the Sea Launch Commander, which doubles as both a launch control center and an integration location.

The fully assembled Zenit 3SL rocket was transferred from the Sea Launch Commander to the Odyssey launch platform on May 28, one of the final steps before leaving the home port.

On May 29, the Zenit rocket was rolled out and lifted onto its launch mount on Odyssey, verifying the proper functioning of the lifting mechanism.

The Odyssey launch platform left the Sea Launch home port in Long Beach on May 31, followed three days later on June 3 by the departure of the much faster-traveling Sea Launch Commander. The two vessels joined together again on June 7 for the remainder of the voyage to the launch site.

Stay with Spaceflight Now for live play-by-play updates during Saturday's final countdown and launch of the Zenit 3SL rocket and the Galaxy 3C satellite.

TUESDAY, JUNE 11, 2002

After waiting more than a year for its next commercial satellite payload, Sea Launch is ready to fly this weekend to place the powerhouse Galaxy 3C telecommunications spacecraft into Earth orbit.

The Odyssey launch platform and Assembly and Command Ship, named the Sea Launch Commander, arrived at the launch site in the Pacific on Tuesday. Both vessels anchored themselves in the ocean at a point along the equator at 154 degrees West longitude, or about 1,400 miles southwest of Hawaii. The launch platform's ballast tanks were soon filled with sea water to ensure stability.

The eighth launch of the Zenit 3SL rocket is slated for 2239:30 GMT (6:39:30 p.m. EDT) Saturday at the opening of a 44-minute launch window. Liftoff will occur from the Odyssey platform, which is a converted Norwegian oil drilling platform. An hour-long mission will place the Galaxy 3C satellite into a geosynchronous transfer orbit of 29,714 by 4,188 miles, inclined at 0 degrees.

The most recent launch for the international consortium was over 13 months ago in May 2001. Modifications to Galaxy 3C after a design flaw was uncovered with similar Boeing-built satellites forced this mission to be delayed from last year.

Sea Launch says it has performed practice countdowns, sea trials and maintenance work during the lull in flights.

Galaxy 3C will be the eighth spacecraft launched in the family of Boeing 702 satellites. The previous craft had concentrator structures on their solar array wings that were designed to enhance power generation. But those concentrators have gradually lost their optical qualities in orbit, causing a decline in the amount of electrical power the satellites can make.

As a result of the unexpected problem, Boeing has opted to remove the concentrators from future satellites and add a fifth panel to each solar wing. Boeing says it has 15 additional 702 satellites on order beyond Galaxy 3C.

"The redesigned solar array is a 'tried and true' flat planar array that has served our customers well over the last 10 years on our Boeing 601 satellites," said Randy Brinkley, president of Boeing Satellite Systems. "Besides the classic design, we have incorporated rigorous quality standards that are based on the 'Boeing Best Practices' we have implemented over the last several months."

"We have complete confidence in the quality and reliability of the Galaxy 3C satellite," Brinkley said. "We look forward to demonstrating the satellite's on-orbit performance, which will reassure our customers that the Boeing 702 is world's top choice for reliability, flexibility, and the lowest-cost-per-transponder satellite service."

Galaxy 3C is a powerhouse of a satellite, weighing in at 10,700 pounds at launch. With the addition of an extra solar panel on the craft's two solar array wings, the tip-to-tip span of the satellite is 157 feet. At the end of its 15-year lifetime, the spacecraft is expected to still be producing 15 kilowatts of electricity, making Galaxy 3C one of the largest and most powerful communications satellites.

Destined for use by international satellite operator PanAmSat, Galaxy 3C will be positioned in a circular geostationary orbit 22,300 miles above a point on the equator at 95 degrees West, or over the Pacific Ocean near the Galapagos Islands.

From that parking slot, the spacecraft's communications payload will reach PanAmSat customers across the United States and Latin America. It will replace the Galaxy 3R satellite in the North American coverage zone.

Galaxy 3C carries 24 C-band transponders and 53 Ku-band transponders, providing television, voice and data transmissions and Internet connections.

The key events of the coming days include the beginning of the 72-hour countdown, scheduled for Wednesday evening at 2239 GMT (6:39 p.m. EDT). The Zenit 3SL rocket will be rolled out of its hanger on the Odyssey launch platform and erected to the vertical position about 27 hours prior to launch.

Workers will also be going through preparation steps over the next few days preceding launch. The Sea Launch Commander pulled up alongside Odyssey shortly after completing the 3,000-mile journey from the Sea Launch home port in Long Beach, California, to allow more people access to the platform and rocket.

Stay with Spaceflight Now for updates and live play-by-play updates of the countdown and launch of the Sea Launch Zenit 3SL rocket.