Zenit 3SL launch delayed
Posted: Thu, Feb 17, 2005, 7:23 AM ET (1223 GMT)
The launch of a Zenit 3SL rocket carrying a XM Satellite Radio spacecraft was delayed 24 hours because of sea conditions. The Zenit 3SL was scheduled to lift off from the Sea Launch Odyssey platform on the Equator in the Pacific Ocean Wednesday evening, but the launch was postponed 24 hours because of "unfavorable sea conditions." The launch has been rescheduled for Thursday at 10:53 pm EST (0353 GMT Friday). The rocket will place into orbit XM-3, a new digital radio satellite for XM Satellite Radio. The satellite will serve as a partial replacement for the company's two existing satellites, XM-1 and 2 (also known as "Rock" and "Roll"), launched in 2001. Those satellites are still in operation but are expected to gradually lose power because of a flaw in the solar power system. The launch will be the first for the multinational Sea Launch consortium since a June 2004 launch that placed its payload in a low orbit when the booster's upper stage shut down prematurely.
The launch of a Zenit 3SL rocket carrying a XM Satellite Radio spacecraft was delayed 24 hours because of sea conditions. The Zenit 3SL was scheduled to lift off from the Sea Launch Odyssey platform on the Equator in the Pacific Ocean Wednesday evening, but the launch was postponed 24 hours because of "unfavorable sea conditions." The launch has been rescheduled for Thursday at 10:53 pm EST (0353 GMT Friday). The rocket will place into orbit XM-3, a new digital radio satellite for XM Satellite Radio. The satellite will serve as a partial replacement for the company's two existing satellites, XM-1 and 2 (also known as "Rock" and "Roll"), launched in 2001. Those satellites are still in operation but are expected to gradually lose power because of a flaw in the solar power system. The launch will be the first for the multinational Sea Launch consortium since a June 2004 launch that placed its payload in a low orbit when the booster's upper stage shut down prematurely.
Related Links:
| <<previous article | next article>> |
|
news in brief
|
|
Space Force picks 14 companies for GEO surveillance program
Posted: Sat, Apr 11 10:34 AM ET (1434 GMT) |
|
news links
|
|
Thursday, April 23
Firefly Aerospace moves into 3 new buildings in Cedar Park
KVUE-TV Austin, TX — 4:24 am ET (0824 GMT) ESA Formalizes European Defense Agency Links
Aviation Week — 4:23 am ET (0823 GMT) Plato aces space-like tests
ESA — 4:23 am ET (0823 GMT) In ‘major win’ for Alabama, $565 million set aside for Space Command design, construction
Huntsville Times — 4:22 am ET (0822 GMT) Trump taps defense firm execs to lead space acquisition, NRO
Breaking Defense — 4:19 am ET (0819 GMT) |
