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Members of the Sea Launch team gather on the pier to bid farewell. Maria Mirolioubova (center, in white shirt) will be announcing the launch countdown from the Launch Control Center on the ship. |
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Ken Hill (foreground), vice president of Launch Operations, leads the team in the "Ready to Launch" vote. Jim Maser, president and general manager is to Ken's immediate right. Elena Gray translates English/Russian. |
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From the top deck of the Sea Launch Commander, this view from above captures the traditional departure event on the pier. |
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As the ship slowly gains momentum, the team gathers on deck, for a last look at Home Port. The large building displaying the Sea Launch logo in the background is the Payload Processing Facility, where we prepare our customers' satellites for integration with the rocket. |
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Marine safety training is the first activity of the day, even as the ship is pulling out of the harbor. All hands report to their muster stations for training exercises in the lifeboats.
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