Sea Launch Mission page

Mission Success!

On October 6th at 03:00 ALMT (21:00 GMT/UTC, 14:00 PDT, 17:00 EST on October 5th), the Sea Launch Zenit-3SLB successfully launched the Intelsat-18 satellite from the Zenit launch complex located at Site 45 in the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. IS-18 was placed into an optimized geosynchronous transfer orbit on its way to its final geostationary orbit at 180 degrees East longitude. The Orbital Sciences Corp. team has confirmed that the spacecraft is operating nominally and is healthy.

Current Mission - Intelsat 18

Sea Launch is preparing for the launch of the Intelsat 18 communications satellite in October 2011 on the Land Launch Program. Built by Orbital Sciences Corp., the Intelsat 18 satellite will weigh approximately 3,200 kilograms (7,055 lbs.) at launch and will be located at an orbital slot at 180 degrees East Longitude. The satellite's C-band payload will serve Eastern Asia, the Western Pacific and North America. The Ku-band payload will serve North America, French Polynesia, Cook Islands, Australia, New Zealand, New Caledonia, Vanatu, Fiji, Tonga, Samoa and other islands (coverage map)

Launch Coverage

Sea Launch will stream internet video coverage of the Intelsat 18 mission provided by TsENKI. Launch video will begin approximately 20 minutes before scheduled liftoff.

Mission Highlights

The Intelsat 18 spacecraft arrived in Baikonur on 02 September 2011

The integrated launch vehicle arrived to the launch pad 02 October 2011

Satellite Overview

Orbital Location 180°E (replaces IS-701)
Satellite Bus OSC Star 2.4E
DC Power (EOL) 6.8 KW AE
Separated Mass 3200 kg
Maneuver Life over 17 years
Propulsion Dual Mode (oxidizer, hydrazine)
Power UTJ GaAs solar arrays
2 battery packs w/ 36 total 100Ah Li-Ion cells
TC&R C-band
Payload Coverage 24 C-band and 12 Ku-band transponders Global, North and South Hemi, Fr. Polynesia, US, and South Pacific
Services DTH and distribution, Government and Enterprise VSAT, trunking

Payload

Built by Orbital Sciences Corporation, the satellite will provide capability to enable enhanced DTH coverage and network services capabilities via Ku-band and C-band platforms. Once operational in November, it will replace Intelsat 701 at 180°E and is expected to have a useful life of nearly 17 years.

“Intelsat 18 will provide the infrastructure for customers to deliver media content directly to homes throughout the Pacific Ocean region, as well as broadband services directly to government and commercial users,” said Intelsat CEO David McGlade. “Intelsat’s strategy aligns our fleet investments to support our customer’s growth needs. The Intelsat 18 payload includes a Ku-band beam designed to the requirements of Office des Postes et Communications (OPT) of French Polynesia. The customer will use this beam to provide new broadband, expanded domestic DTH service and improve its infrastrastructure across French Polynesia, with the ability to serve the South Pacific.”

Mission Profile

From its land-based launch site located in Baikonur Kazakhstan, a Zenit-3SLB launch vehicle will lift the 3,200 kilograms (7,055 lbs.) Intelsat 18 spacecraft into an optimized geosynchronous transfer orbit on its way to its final geostationary orbit at 180 degrees East longitude.

Launch Timeline

Time	Event
L= 0:00:00	Liftoff
L+ 0:02:29	Stage 1 Separation
L+ 0:05:18	Payload Fairing Jettison
L+ 0:08:31	Stage 2 Separation
L+ 0:08:41	Block DM 1st Burn Ignition
L+ 0:12:39	End of Block DM 1st Burn
L+ 1:20:10	Block DM 2nd Burn Ignition
L+ 1:25:27	End of Block DM 2nd Burn
L+ 6:22:21	Block DM 3rd Burn Ignition
L+ 6:23:44	End of Block DM 3nd Burn
L+ 6:34:44	Spacecraft Separation