The Sea Launch team prepares to transfer the Payload Unit from the Payload Processing Facility to the Sea Launch Commander.

The Payload Unit is the Boeing-built fairing with the environmentally protected XM-3 satellite inside. During launch, the fairing is jettisoned once it is above the atmosphere. The Payload Unit is rolled onto the ship and the American and Russian teams work side-by-side to mate the unit with the rocket’s upper stage - the Block DM-SL.