Moscow, Aug 19 (IANS/RIA Novosti): A Russian rocket is set for a seaborne launch Sunday to put a US telecom satellite into orbit, a spokesman for the Sea Launch company said.
The launch of the Zenit-3SL rocket from the launch pad Odyssey in the Pacific Ocean has been scheduled for 10.55 a.m. and the Intelsat 21 satellite is expected to be in the designated orbit at 11.25 a.m., the spokesman said.
The initial launch of the spacecraft was scheduled for Aug 15 but it was postponed several times due to various reasons.
Odyssey, positioned on the equator, is a converted oil rig operated by the Swiss-based rocket company Sea Launch.
The 5,980 kg Intelsat 21 is a geostationary communications satellite built by Space Systems Loral to provide telecoms services to high-growth markets around the Pacific Rim, including Southeast Asia, Australia, New Zealand, and US West Coast.