BY JUSTIN RAY

October 21, 2000 -- Follow the countdown and flight of the Sea Launch Zenit 3SL rocket with the Thuraya mobile communications satellite. Reload this page for the very latest on the mission.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2000

Sea Launch has scored its fourth success by delivering the Thuraya 1 spacecraft into a highly-accurate orbit around Earth. The Sea Launch success rate is now 80 percent over five flights with one failure.

For Thuraya Satellite Telecommunications Company of Abu Dhabi, the launch is just another step in creating a mobile communications service that will be available to nearly 2 billion people on the planet in the Middle East, parts of Africa, Central Asia, Europe and the Indian subcontinent.

"Thuraya 1 will enable more than one third of the world's population to have a convenient, reliable and affordable access to modern telecommunications, wherever they are in urban hubs or rural outposts," Thuraya chairman Mohammad Omran said after the launch.

"Today's launch success has complemented many successful commercial and technical milestones already accomplished by Thuraya, which together put our leading system in perspective for providing a vital, premier service on schedule.

"Now that we have a successful satellite launch, we will be moving full swing towards getting the service ready and at well-tested quality for our customers by the first quarter of 2001," Omran said.

The next flight for Sea Launch is now targeted to occur in early 2001 when the first XM Radio broadcasting satellite will be sent aloft.

0814 GMT (4:14 a.m. EDT)

Ground controllers have established contact with the Thuraya 1 spacecraft via a tracking site in Italy, confirming the satellite is alive following its successful ride into space by Sea Launch.

0751 GMT (3:51 a.m. EDT)

T+plus 1 hour, 59 minutes. SPACECRAFT SEPARATION! The Thuraya 1 geomobile communications satellite has been released from the Block DM-SL upper stage to complete this fifth flight for Sea Launch. Contact with Thuraya 1 through a ground station in Italy is expected in about 22 minutes to very the craft's health following today's launch.

Thuraya 1 was built in California by Boeing Satellite Systems -- formerly Hughes Space and Communications. This was the first launch under the new corporate banner of BSS since Boeing's recent acquistion of Hughes. Weighing over 11,000 pounds, Thuraya 1 is the heaviest commercial communications satellite ever launched.

Once the satellite reaches its final perch in geostationary orbit 22,300 miles above the planet in the coming weeks, controllers will perform extensive testing and checkout before commencing commercial operations early next year.

Thuraya Satellite Telecommunications Company of Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, will use the advanced spacecraft to provide telephone, e-mail, data, fax and Global Positioning System location finding services to subscribers. The system can handle 13,750 simultaneous calls. Thuraya 1 will be parked at 44 degrees East longitude, covering 99 countries in the Middle East, Indian subcontinent, Central Asia, North and Central Africa and Europe where nearly 2 billion people live.

The Thuraya service is being targeted to international travelers, users that roam across the satellite's wide coverage area, the maritime community and workers in remote industrial sites. Since the system will be coupled with terrestrial cellular telephone services in the region, the Thuraya phones will be able to switch between satellite communications and ground-based coverage when available.

0746 GMT (3:46 a.m. EDT)

T+plus 1 hour, 54 minutes. Now five minutes away from spacecraft separation.

0740 GMT (3:40 a.m. EDT)

T+plus 1 hour, 48 minutes. The second burn of the upper stage has been confirmed and now another coast period has started before the Thuraya spacecraft released into orbit to complete today's launch. Separation is expected at T+plus 1 hour, 59 minutes.

0738 GMT (3:38 a.m. EDT)

T+plus 1 hour, 46 minutes. Just over a minute left in the second of two firings by the Block DM-SL upper stage.

0734 GMT (3:34 a.m. EDT)

T+plus 1 hour, 42 minutes. Engine pressures and systems on the Block DM-SL are reported normal.

0733 GMT (3:33 a.m. EDT)

T+plus 1 hour, 41 minutes. The Block DM-SL upper stage is firing again for a six-and-a-half-minute burn to accelerate Thuraya into the intended geosynchronous transfer orbit.

0729 GMT (3:29 a.m. EDT)

T+plus 1 hour, 37 minutes. NASA's Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System has reacquired the Block DM-SL upper stage in advance of the reignition for today's launch of the Thuraya 1 spacecraft. The stage is due to restart in about four minutes.

0607 GMT (2:07 a.m. EDT)

T+plus 15 minutes. We will pause our coverage at this point while the rocket is in the lengthy coast period of the flight. The next event will be restart of the Block DM-SL upper stage at T+plus one-hour, 41 minutes.

0605 GMT (2:05 a.m. EDT)

T+plus 13 minutes, 5 seconds. The first of two firings by the Russian-made Block DM-SL upper stage has been completed to deliver the Thuraya 1 spacecraft into geosynchronous transfer orbit. The stage and attached will now coast in a preliminary parking orbit around Earth for the next 90 minutes or so before the next firing to complete the launch. The stage restart is due to occur at T+plus one-hour, 41 minutes into flight for a six-minute, 35-second burn. Spacecraft deployment is scheduled for T+plus one-hour, 59 minutes, five seconds after launch.

0602 GMT (2:02 a.m. EDT)

T+plus 10 minutes, 30 seconds. The Block DM-SL stage continues to fire with normal engine pressures reported. This firing will continue more two more minutes.

0601 GMT (2:01 a.m. EDT)

T+plus 9 minutes. The second stage has been jettisoned and the Block DM-SL upper stage is now firing for the first of two burns.

0559 GMT (1:59 a.m. EDT)

T+plus 7 minutes, 30 seconds. The second stage main engine has cut off. The vehicle is now coasting before separation of the stage in about a minute.

0559 GMT (1:59 a.m. EDT)

T+plus 7 minutes, 15 seconds. Throttling of the second stage has occurred to keep gravity forces within limits against the vehicle and Thuraya 1 spacecraft.

0558 GMT (1:58 a.m. EDT)

T+plus 6 minutes, 30 seconds. Less than one minute left in the second stage firing.

0558 GMT (1:58 a.m. EDT)

T+plus 6 minutes. Officials still reporting a nominal flight.

0557 GMT (1:57 a.m. EDT)

T+plus 5 minutes. All appears to be going well in today's flight of the Sea Launch Zenit 3SL rocket. Second stage continues to burn.

0556 GMT (1:56 a.m. EDT)

T+plus 4 minutes, 10 seconds. The payload fairing, or nose cone, of the rocket has separated. Also, NASA's Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System has acquired signal from the Block DM-SL upper stage.

0555 GMT (1:55 a.m. EDT)

T+plus 3 minutes, 20 seconds. Pressures in the second stage main engine and vernier steering engine reported normal.

0554 GMT (1:54 a.m. EDT)

T+plus 2 minutes, 45 seconds. The first stage RD-171 engine has shutdown s planned and the spent stage was jettisoned. Ignition of the second stage engine has been confirmed.

0554 GMT (1:54 a.m. EDT)

T+plus 2 minutes. The rocket's first stage is throttling up after passing through maximum pressure in the dense lower atmosphere.

0553 GMT (1:53 a.m. EDT)

T+plus 1 minute, 45 seconds. Flight stabilization reported normal.

0553 GMT (1:53 a.m. EDT)

T+plus 60 seconds. The Zenit is passing through maximum dynamic pressure. Engine pressures reported normal.

0552 GMT (1:52 a.m. EDT)

T+plus 30 seconds. The Zenit rocket is pitching over with vehicle systems reported normal.

0552 GMT (1:52 a.m. EDT)

LIFTOFF! The Thuraya geomobile communications spacecraft heads to orbit as the Sea Launch Zenit 3SL rocket ascends from its launch platform in the equatorial Pacific Ocean.

0551 GMT (1:51 a.m. EDT)

T-minus 1 minute.

0549 GMT (1:49 a.m. EDT)

T-minus 3 minutes. A final management poll has been completed and all systems were reported go for launch. The transporter/erector arm is now fully retracted to the hangar.

0546 GMT (1:46 a.m. EDT)

T-minus 6 minutes. No problems are being reported by Sea Launch as the countdown contines.

0542 GMT (1:42 a.m. EDT)

T-minus 10 minutes and counting.

0540 GMT (1:40 a.m. EDT)

T-minus 12 minutes and counting. The final launch danger area sweep by the Sea Launch helicopter has been completed with the zone verified clear.

0538 GMT (1:38 a.m. EDT)

T-minus 14 minutes and counting. The Thuraya 1 spacecraft is switching to internal power while the transporter/erector arm continues its retraction.

0535 GMT (1:35 a.m. EDT)

T-minus 17 minutes and counting. The countdown is reaching a major milestone as the transporter/erector arm is retracted from against the rocket. The arm was used earlier to roll the rocket out of the environmentally-controlled hangar atop the Odyssey platform and to lift the rocket upright. Once the arm is lowered to the platform deck, it will be rolled back into the hangar and the build doors closed for launch.

Also at this time launch team members are verifying healthy telemetry links and confirming the guidance computer updates to the rocket's Block DM-SL upper stage,

0532 GMT (1:32 a.m. EDT)

T-minus 20 minutes and counting.

0522 GMT (1:22 a.m. EDT)

T-minus 30 minutes and counting. The countdown is continuing for liftoff at 0552 GMT today of the Sea Launch Zenit 3SL rocket from the world's only sea-going launch platform positioned along the equator to provide a more efficient trek to orbit for commercial communications satellites.

This launch was delayed 48 hours to replace some faulty equipment associated with an electrical switch in ground instrumentation.

Officials have reported the earlier heater concern has been resolved, too. So there are no problems currently standing in the way of liftoff today.

0519 GMT (1:19 a.m. EDT)

The mission director has conducted a poll of launch team members to verify all parties are "go" to continue with the countdown. It was reported that a minor problem is being addressed with a heater on the high pressure thermostat system.

0510 GMT (1:10 a.m. EDT)

Fueling operations are nearing completion for the Sea Launch Zenit 3SL rocket as all three stages have been loaded with kerosene fuel and super-cold liquid oxygen.

0504 GMT (1:04 a.m. EDT)

The Sea Launch helicopter is reporting the launch danger area is clear.

0457 GMT (12:57 a.m. EDT)

The final pre-launch weather briefing has just been conducted and officials reported there is no significant weather at the launch site or along the flight path.

0452 GMT (12:52 a.m. EDT)

Good day and welcome to our live coverage of the Sea Launch Zenit 3SL rocket lifting the Thuraya 1 spacecraft into orbit.

The final hour of the countdown is underway aboard the Odyssey Launch Platform where a Zenit 3SL rocket is being prepared for liftoff at 0552 GMT (1:52 a.m. EDT). Countdown activities are being managed from the Sea Launch Commander ship located about 3.5 miles away. The launch site is 154 degrees West longitude on the equator in the Pacific Ocean, about 1,400 miles southeast of Hawaii.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2000
2300 GMT (7:00 p.m. EDT)

After a two-day postponement because instrumentation troubles, Sea Launch is again counting down to the fifth flight of a Zenit 3SL rocket from a platform positioned in the equatorial waters of the Pacific Ocean. Liftoff is scheduled for 0552 GMT (1:52 a.m. EDT) tonight.

The Ukrainian-Russian rocket will carry the Boeing-built Thuraya 1 geomobile communications satellite to provide telephone, voice mail, Interactive Voice Response, data, fax and GPS services across the Middle East, the Indian subcontinent, central Asia, north and central Africa and Europe.

Stay with Spaceflight Now for continuous reports during the final countdown and the launch. We will also have QuickTime streaming video broadcast starting at 0515 GMT (1:15 a.m. EDT).

0200 GMT (10:00 p.m. EDT)

Sea Launch has decided not to make an attempt to fly its Zenit 3SL rocket tonight carrying the Thuraya 1 spacecraft. Engineers are still working to resolve an instrumentation problem. Liftoff has been delayed another 24 hours to early Saturday with a 45-minute launch window extending from 0552 to 0637 GMT (1:52 to 2:37 a.m. EDT).

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2000
0418 GMT (12:18 a.m. EDT)

Today's flight of the Sea Launch Zenit 3SL rocket carrying the Thuraya geomobile communications satellite has been scrubbed for 24 hours due to a ground instrumentation problem. The launch had been scheduled for 0600 GMT (2 a.m. EDT).

Officials postponed the launch prior to fueling of the Ukrainian Zenit rocket and its Russian-made upper stage. Once the rocket is loaded with propellants its takes four days before another launch attempt is possible.

"The decision was made to hold off until the problem could be sorted out," Sea Launch spokeswoman Paula Korn said.

Provided that the problem is resolved in time, liftoff of the Zenit from the Odyssey Launch Platform stationed at the equator in Pacific Ocean is planned for Friday at 0556 GMT (1:56 a.m. EDT). The available launch window extends for 45 minutes.

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2000

The fifth flight of Sea Launch is scheduled for early Thursday when a Ukrainian-Russian Zenit 3SL rocket blasts off from an ocean-going platform in the Pacific Ocean. The rocket will carry the Thuraya 1 satellite into orbit to provide mobile communications services across the Middle East.

The 45-minute launch window opens at 0600 GMT (2:00 a.m. EDT).

The Sea Launch Commander and the Odyssey Launch Platform arrived at the equatorial launch site at 154 degrees West Longitude on October 15. The 72-hour launch countdown has been underway to make final preparations for the flight.

Built by Boeing Satellite Systems (formerly Hughes Space and Communications), the 11,260-pound Thuraya 1 spacecraft will orbit 22,300 miles above Earth at 44 degrees East longitude.

Thuraya Satellite Telecommunications Company of Abu Dhabi, in the United Arab Emirates, will use the satellite to provide regional mobile telecommunications services to 99 countries in the Middle East, parts of Europe, India, Africa and central Asia. The mobile telephone service will be available to approximately 2 billion people.

"The satellite employs on-board digital signal processing to create more than 200 spot beams that can be re-directed on orbit, allowing Thuraya to immediately adapt to user demands," said Tig Krekel, president of Boeing Satellite Systems. "The system can handle 13,750 simultaneous calls and allows calls to be routed handset to handset, or to a terrestrial network. The capabilities are unlike anything we've seen to date."

Stay with Spaceflight Now for continuous reports during the final countdown and the launch. We will also have QuickTime streaming video broadcast starting at 0520 GMT (1:20 a.m. EDT).