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The Sea Launch team is preparing for its fifth mission of 2006 with the launch of XM
Satellite Radio's XM-4 satellite. The Odyssey Launch Platform and ship Sea Launch
Commander have departed from Home Port in Long Beach, Calif., and are on their
way to the launch site to begin operations.
According to the company, lift-off is planned at the opening of a 58-minute launch
window beginning at 4:49 PM PT (7:49 PM ET) on Thursday, Oct. 26.
The XM-4 satellite will have 18 kilowatts of total power at the beginning of life on
orbit. Specified for a 15-year lifespan, Sea Launch's direct insertion into equatorial
orbit is designed to yield additional years of service life. This will be Sea Launch's
fourth launch for XM Satellite Radio, completing previous XM missions in March
2001, May 2001 and February 2005.
The Sea Launch vessels are sailing about 3,000 miles to the equatorial launch site
in international waters of the Pacific Ocean at 154 degrees West Longitude. Upon
arrival, the launch team will initiate a 72-hour countdown, ballasting the Launch
Platform 65 feet, to launch depth, and performing final tests on the launch system
and the spacecraft. A Zenit-3SL vehicle will lift the 5,193 kg (11,448 lbs.) XM-4
satellite to geosynchronous transfer orbit, on its way to a final orbital position of
115 degrees West Longitude.
Sea Launch will provide live coverage of the XM-4 mission via satellite and also
streaming video on the Sea Launch website www.sea-launch.com.
Satellite Radio's XM-4 satellite. The Odyssey Launch Platform and ship Sea Launch
Commander have departed from Home Port in Long Beach, Calif., and are on their
way to the launch site to begin operations.
According to the company, lift-off is planned at the opening of a 58-minute launch
window beginning at 4:49 PM PT (7:49 PM ET) on Thursday, Oct. 26.
The XM-4 satellite will have 18 kilowatts of total power at the beginning of life on
orbit. Specified for a 15-year lifespan, Sea Launch's direct insertion into equatorial
orbit is designed to yield additional years of service life. This will be Sea Launch's
fourth launch for XM Satellite Radio, completing previous XM missions in March
2001, May 2001 and February 2005.
The Sea Launch vessels are sailing about 3,000 miles to the equatorial launch site
in international waters of the Pacific Ocean at 154 degrees West Longitude. Upon
arrival, the launch team will initiate a 72-hour countdown, ballasting the Launch
Platform 65 feet, to launch depth, and performing final tests on the launch system
and the spacecraft. A Zenit-3SL vehicle will lift the 5,193 kg (11,448 lbs.) XM-4
satellite to geosynchronous transfer orbit, on its way to a final orbital position of
115 degrees West Longitude.
Sea Launch will provide live coverage of the XM-4 mission via satellite and also
streaming video on the Sea Launch website www.sea-launch.com.