The launch team monitors conditions at the launch site in real time, using data from our on-site buoy, and also weather balloons to monitor winds aloft, by releasing at specific intervals prior to liftoff.

Here, our Thuraya customer, Ahmed Ali Al Shamsi, launches one of the weather balloons. 

Ahmed watches the balloon in flight with (from right to left) Joe Carpico, payload unit launch manager; Suzanne Romero, executive assistant; and Sherry Berner, assistant mission director.

(Sea Launch photos by
Dave Hutsell)

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