Posted: Sat, Aug 2, 2003, 10:34 AM ET (1434 GMT)
The two vessels of the Sea Launch mobile launch system have set sail for their next launch next week, officials with the multinational venture announced Friday. The two ships, the floating launch platform Odyssey and the Sea Launch Commander command ship, left their home part of Long Beach, California in late July, although their departure was not announced until Friday. The two ships will reach their designated launch site on the Equator this weekend in preparation for the August 7 launch of the EchoStar 9/Telstar 13 satellite. Launch is scheduled for 11:31 pm EDT (0331 GMT August 8). The launch will be the second of the year for Sea Launch's Zenit 3SL booster.

Related Links:

•  Boeing press release