MARINE INTEGRATED TESTS DEEMED A HUGE SUCCESS During Marine Integrated Testing, the ACS and the LP are joined at sea via a personnel link bridge Sea Launch has successfully completed a major milestone on the march toward completion of development and test. Marine Integrated Test (MIT) was completed on November 12, 1998. All 19 MIT objectives were met during an eight-day test program conducted at sea, approximately 25 miles offshore of Monterey, California. The test series required three days less than planned. Significant accomplishments of the MIT tests: Calibration of the wave radar on the Assembly & Command Ship. This system will permit direct measurement of sea state conditions at the launch site. Test of the weather radar and upper atmosphere balloon measurement system. Test of the trim and heel system on the Launch Platform. This system actively maintains the platform trim when large weights are in motion such as the rocket on its transporter/erector. Test of the water deluge system on the Launch Platform, which provides thermal and acoustic control during rocket ignition. Test of the Line of Sight (LOS) system used by both vessels for communication and data transmission. Test of the link bridge used for personnel transfer between vessels during preparation for launch. This test also involved the station-keeping systems used to maintain relative position between each vessel. Test of the marine remote control system, which allows automated control of the Launch Platform when all personnel have been evacuated for launch. Successful completion of this test series has set the stage for final Integrated all launch system elements.

ROCKET INTEGRATION COMPLETE The Zenit -3SL integration was completed onboard the ACS in preparation for transfer to the Launch Platform A beehive of activity is underway at the Sea Launch Home Port in Long Beach, California in preparation for Integrated Test. The rocket to be used in this test recently was assembled and tested. The Payload Unit (PLU) that includes a simulated satellite encapsulated in a flight fairing was mated to the rocket on January 4, 1999.

PREPARATIONS FOR ROCKET TRANSFER The giant 200-foot Zenit ILV rests securely on the ACS stern ramp as it is prepared to be lifted to the LP hangar On January 21, 1999, the Integrated Launch Vehicle (ILV) was transferred in Home Port from the Assembly & Command Ship to the Launch Platform. The Launch Platform will now be loaded with helium, kerosene, liquid nitrogen and liquid oxygen.

Huge overhead cranes secure the rocket during its transfer from the ACS to the launch Platfrom's hangar

SECURE ON THE LAUNCH PAD The transporter/erector lifts the Zenit-3SL to its vertical launch position A test of the transporter/erector (T/E) was conducted at the Home Port when the T/E carried the unfueled rocket to the launch pad and erected it on the pad. This test also allows alignment of the pad umbilicals with the rocket. When the 200-foot-tall rocket was seen assembled and erected on the 200-foot-high Launch Platform it provided dramatic, visual evidence of the progress of the Sea Launch program.

INTEGRATED TEST- A MAJOR MILESTONE BEFORE FIRST LAUNCH The Launch Control Center onboard the Assembly & Command Ship continues to be a hub of activity The Sea Launch Integrated Test is a 13-day program scheduled to begin in late January 1999 that exercises all elements of the launch system. Testing involves a dry countdown rehearsal, automated roll-out and erection of the rocket, individual practice loading of kerosene and liquid oxygen (LOX) into the rocket, and concludes with a full wet countdown rehearsal including the loading of LOX and kerosene simultaneously. Integrated Test culminates a series of subsystem and system tests of launch support equipment begun on both ships during their outfitting in Russia. Individual testing of 44 subsystems within the 22 launch support systems on the Assembly & Command Ship is now complete. On the Launch Platform, 24 of the 27 systems have completed testing. Independent testing of the remaining three systems will be completed prior to departure for Integrated Test. This current round of tests, which will be accomplished at sea using the actual launch team, provides a compiete demonstration of the launch countdown procedures, personnel and equipment. A flight-qualified rocket and simulated satellite will be used for the demonstration launch. The rocket will be disassembled, inspected and retested before it eventually is used to launch a customer satellite into orbit.