Families and friends gather on the pier for coffee and pastries on a cold, clear Sunday morning, to bid farewell to the passengers and crew of the Sea Launch
Commander. Keith Dayton, vice president of operations (center), offers remarks to the crowd. Ivan Klychnik (left) translates, while Dan Dubbs (right) looks on. Dan is deputy vice president of operations and will oversee at-sea activities on this mission.

Ron Dukat, NSS-8 Program Director for Boeing Satellite Systems, offers some parting remarks.

Dan Dubbs takes the ritual Readiness Poll, calling for each team leader to speak up loud and clear, which they do - with vigor!

Olga Podolyaka, managing security for this mission, waves goodbye before boarding the ship.

Jim Mills, mission director (left), and Dr. Valery Aliev, head of the rocket segment, on the Shelter Deck.

The longshoremen let go the lines and the ship eases away from the pier...

…and heads out to sea.

(Sea Launch photos by
Paula Korn)

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