Sea Launch places powerful satellite in orbit

By Richard Stenger
CNN

One of the most powerful communications satellite ever built is settling into orbit, following its launch from a platform floating in the Pacific Ocean.

The XM "Roll" orbiter will join a sibling spacecraft known as "Rock" in geostationary orbit, where the two should beam down digital programming to subscribers in the United States.

The "Roll" satellite went into space aboard a Ukrainian Zenit rocket, which blasted off from a modified oil drilling platform on Tuesday.

The platform and a command ship were situated on the equator for the launch, after setting sail two weeks ago from Southern California. The two vessels are managed by Sea Launch, an international consortium of aerospace giants based in Los Angeles.

"With this very successful mission, Sea Launch has helped to bring 'Rock' and 'Roll' across the continental United States," said Will Trafton, president of Sea Launch, in a statement.

In January, mission managers aborted the launch of Roll with less than a minute remaining in the countdown due to a technical glitch. They decided to move forward as planned with the launch of Rock in March and then try again with Roll this month.

The Boeing-made satellites will make up XM Satellite Radio, an orbiting network that offers news and entertainment channels. The programming, which includes some CNN channels, should become available later this summer.

Rockets lifting off from the equator can take full advantage of the Earth's spin, allowing them to carry heavier payloads than those taking off from other latitudes.

Sea Launch first launched a satellite from the sea in 1999. In 2000, the company had one failed launch in March but conducted two successful launches later in the year.

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