BY JUSTIN RAY

Follow the countdown and flight of the Sea Launch Zenit 3SL rocket with the XM-1 radio broadcasting spacecraft. Reload this page for the very latest on the mission.

Flight Data File
Vehicle: Zenit 3SL
Payload: XM 1 ("Roll")
Launch date: May 8, 2001
Launch window: 2210-2255 (6:10-6:55 p.m. EDT)
Launch site: Equator, 154° West, Pacific Ocean
Satellite broadcast: GE 3, Trans. 7, C-band

Video vault
Watch as the launch team identified the problem with the XM 1 payload and frantically ordered the countdown stopped with less than 30 seconds until blastoff on Jan. 8.
  PLAY (259k, 44sec QuickTime file)
The Sea Launch Zenit 3SL rocket is rolled from its hangar and erected atop the Odyssey launch platform in preparation to carry the XM 1 satellite.
  PLAY (161k, 21sec QuickTime file)
Animation shows the XM Satellite Radio "Roll" broadcasting spacecraft as it boosts its orbit with an engine firing, deploys the twin power-generating solar arrays and antenna reflectors once in space.
  PLAY (422k, 1min26sec QuickTime file)