LIVE: Sea Launch: Galaxy 18 launch - May 21

[Chris Bergin]

Block DM ignition

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[Chris Bergin]

7 mins remaining in Block DM first burn.

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Ground track:

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End of first Block DM burn.

[Chris Bergin]

All seems nominal in coast phase.

[Chris Bergin]

Block DM second burn in seven mins.

[Chris Bergin]

Coming up on Block DM second burn.

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Confirmed...

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Block DM Shutdown confirmed. T+50 minutes.

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Into a 10 minute coast ahead of spacecraft separation.

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60 seconds to spacecraft separation

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Spacecraft separation confirmed. Congrats to all concerned

[Chris Bergin]

And spacecraft acquisition confirmed.

[jacqmans]

News Release

Number: 2008-34

Galaxy 18 Launch Successful; Powerhouse Satellite Within U.S. Cable Arc

Pembroke, Bermuda, 21 May 2008

Intelsat, Ltd., the world’s leading provider of commercial satellite services, announced today that at 5:43 a.m. EDT the Galaxy 18 satellite was successfully launched aboard a Sea Launch Zenit-3SL rocket.  The satellite, built by Space Systems/Loral, will operate from 123 degrees west and serve programmers, government and corporate broadband customers in the continental United States, Alaska, Hawaii and Puerto Rico.  

Galaxy 18 will join Intelsat’s coveted North American cable community within its Galaxy fleet comprised of 16 other satellites that cover North America, Central America and the Caribbean. The satellite features 24 C- and 24 Ku-band transponders allowing for increased power and flexibility for video and data transmissions. This is Intelsat’s first satellite launch of 2008.

Intelsat, Ltd. CEO David McGlade stated, “Galaxy 18 will provide our customers valuable 50-state coverage and reach Puerto Rico, Canada and Mexico, operating in a powerhouse role, delivering some of the most popular programming to millions of American homes. This is the first of two launches for Intelsat this year, both focused on enhancing our North American Galaxy fleet.”

[jacqmans]

Sea Launch Successfully Delivers Galaxy 18 to Orbit
Long Beach, Calif., May 21, 2008 - Sea Launch Company today successfully delivered the Galaxy 18 communications satellite to orbit from its ocean-based platform on the Equator, marking its third successful launch in 2008.

A Zenit-3SL rocket lifted off at 2:43am PDT (9:43 GMT) from the Odyssey Launch Platform, positioned at 154 degrees West Longitude, precisely on schedule. An hour later, the Block DM-SL upper stage inserted the 4,642 kg (10,234 lb) Galaxy 18 satellite into geosynchronous transfer orbit, on its way to a final orbital position at 123 degrees West Longitude. Operators at the Hartebeesthoek ground station in South Africa acquired the spacecraft’s first signals from orbit shortly after spacecraft separation. All systems performed nominally throughout the mission.

"Congratulations to Intelsat on today’s successful mission," said Rob Peckham, president and general manager of Sea Launch. "This is our sixth successful launch for Intelsat. We’re extremely proud to be a part of your achievements and we look forward to launching your next satellite in the near future. This is the seventh mission with a Loral spacecraft and it’s always a pleasure working with your team.  Thanks to everyone involved in today’s accomplishment, especially the people of Sea Launch and our partners, contractors and families around the world who support us."

Built by Space Systems/Loral (SS/L), Galaxy 18 will provide advanced television, data and telecommunications services to Intelsat’s customers throughout North America, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico.

"I would like to thank Sea Launch for doing a great job with today’s mission," said Thierry Guillemin, Intelsat’s Senior Vice President and Chief Technical Officer. "I also want to recognize and thank the teams at Space Systems/Loral and Intelsat for their continued hard work and dedication. Galaxy 18 is the 42nd satellite built by Space Systems/Loral for Intelsat. It is joining five other Galaxy spacecraft with key roles in the North American cable arc, which deliver some of the most popular programming to millions of American homes."