BERN, Switzerland, Nov. 21, 2012 /PRNewswire-iReach/ -- The Sea Launch vessels have departed Sea Launch Home Port in Long Beach, Calif., for the equator, in preparation for the launch of the EUTELSAT 70B satellite for Eutelsat, one of the world's leading satellite operators.  Liftoff is planned for 12:43:55 Pacific Standard Time (PST) on Sunday, December 2nd (20:43:55 UTC/GMT, 21:43:55 CET), at the opening of a 54-minute launch window. 

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20121121/CG16516)

Upon their arrival at the launch site at 154 degrees West longitude, the Sea Launch team will initiate a 72-hour countdown. After ballasting the launch platform Odyssey to launch depth, the team will roll out and erect a Zenit-3SL rocket on the launch pad, execute final tests and proceed with fueling operations and launch. Prior to fueling, all personnel on the launch platform will transfer to the Sea Launch Commander for the duration of the mission. The team monitors both marine and launch operations remotely from the ship, positioned about four miles away from the platform.

On launch day, the Zenit-3SL vehicle will lift the 5,250 kilogram (11,574 lbs.) EUTELAT 70B spacecraft into a defined high-perigee geosynchronous transfer orbit.

The EUTELSAT 70B satellite is based on the Astrium Eurostar E-3000 platform with a designed in-orbit lifetime exceeding 15 years. With a 48- Ku-band transponder payload, it will replace the EUTELSAT 70A craft and more than double Eutelsat's resources at its 70.5° East longitude location to provide premium communications services for users in Europe, Africa, Asia and Australia.
 

About Sea Launch AG

Sea Launch AG, headquartered in Bern, Switzerland, provides launch solutions to the industry's satellite operator community based on the Zenit launch system. These services include the provision of all–inclusive launch services incorporating schedule assurance, financing, risk management; insurance and creative contracting solutions to meet the changing demands of the commercial launch market. Sea Launch AG owns and manages the primary technology, patent and other intellectual property and tangible assets of the company. These include the launch platform Odyssey and the Sea Launch Commander vessels located in the Home Port facility in Long Beach, California, and the unique know–how associated with launching satellites from an ocean–based launch platform located directly on the equator.  The Sea Launch system offers the most direct and cost-effective route to geostationary orbit for commercial communications satellites, providing diversity of supply, affordability and flexibility for the industry's satellite operators. For more information, please visit the Sea Launch website at: www.sea-launch.com.

Media Contact: Peter Stier, Sea Launch AG, +1-562-499-4726, peter.g.stier@sea-launch.com

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SOURCE Sea Launch AG