Posted: Wed, May 21, 2008, 1:48 PM ET (1748 GMT)
A Zenit-3SL successfully launched a communications satellite early Wednesday. The Zenit-3SL lifted off from its floating launch platform on the Equator in the Pacific Ocean at 5:43 am EDT (0943 GMT) and placed the Galaxy 18 satellite into geosynchronous transfer orbit an hour later. The spacecraft, built by Space Systems/Loral for Intelsat, weighs 4,642 kilograms and carries 24 C-band and 24 Ku-band transponders. The spacecraft will operate from 123 degrees west in GEO, providing communications services throughout the US, including Alaska, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico. The launch was the third Sea Launch mission of 2008.

Related Links:

•  Spaceflight Now article
•  Space News article (subscription required)
•  RIA Novosti article
•  NASA SpaceFlight.com article
•  Sea Launch press release