Sea Launch Delays Thuraya Satellite Launch 10-18-2000

Sea Launch has scrubbed tonight’s launch of the Thuraya-1 satellite due to an instrumentation issue found in pre-launch operations. The launch countdown has been recycled 24 hours. The 45-minute launch window will open tomorrow, Oct. 19, at 10:56 p.m. PDT.

Up-to-date information will be recorded on the Sea Launch Hot Line, 800.995.4123 and posted on the Sea Launch website, at www.sea-launch.com

During Sea Launch Mission Five, the Zenit-3SL vehicle will lift the Thuraya-1 mobile communications satellite into geosynchronous transfer orbit (GTO) from a floating launch platform on the equator. Designed for a 12-year lifespan, the Thuraya-1 satellite will provide more than 1.8 billion subscribers – covering three continents – with telephone, voice mail, Interactive Voice Response, data, fax and GPS.

Contact:
Sea Launch Communications: (562) 951-7348
Sea Launch Media Hotline: (562) 797-1000