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Sea Launch starts rocket with Intelsat-21 from Odyssey platform

Intelsat-21 manufactured by American Boeing is designed to operate for 15 years

LOS ANGELES, August 19 (Itar-Tass) — The Sea Launch Company started successfully a Zenit-ZSL missile to put an Intelsat-21 communications satellite into the geosynchronous orbit of the Earth. The launch was made on Sunday at 10:55 Moscow time from the Odyssey floating platform in the Pacific Ocean.

Sea Launch’s headquarters in Long Beach /California/ reports all systems are working normally.

The separation of the first stage of Senit-2S was 2 minutes and 30 seconds after the launch, like it has been planned. The separation of the second stage of Ukraine’s booster from DM-SL booster is to be 8 minutes 31 seconds of the flight, and in another 30 minutes DM-SL should separate from the rocket and the satellite should be placed.

Intelsat-21 manufactured by American Boeing is designed to operate for 15 years. The device replaces on the orbit Intelsat-9, and will provide direct satellite communication for residents in Latin America.

Zenit-ZSL consists of the upper stage Zenit-2S block produced at Ukraine’s Yuzhmash /Dnepropetrovsk/ design bureau and of a DM-SL block of Russia’s Energia Rocket and Space Corporation. The cargo department with the satellite in protecting cover is located in the bow of the ship. The launch control operates remotely and is located on the vessel, which is six kilometres from the floating platform.

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