Sea Launch Delays Thuraya Satellite Launch

Sea Launch has rescheduled
the launch of the Thuraya-1 satellite to Friday, Oct. 20. The 45-minute
launch window will open at 10:52 p.m. PDT.

The launch, originally scheduled for Oct. 18, was delayed due to an
instrumentation issue identified during pre-launch operations. The Sea
Launch team has determined the root cause of the problem and has implemented
correction action. Following system checkout to verify readiness for
launch, the countdown will resume for tomorrow night’s launch. All other
systems are functioning nominally.

Updates on the launch 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.

Sea Launch provides commercial satellite customers the most direct
and cost-effective route to geosynchronous transfer orbit. From the
ocean-based launch site, the robust Sea Launch Zenit-3SL rocket can
lift a heavier spacecraft mass or place a payload into a higher perigee,
helping satellite operators to attain a longer satellite service capability.

Contact:
Paula Korn, 562.951.7348, paula.korn@sea-launch.com

Sea Launch Media Hotline, 562.797.1000