First commercial launch set for mid-March

Published: 3/3/2000

Sea Launch project finally takes off/ Preparation has begun for the first launch, on 12th March, of the Sea Launch project. An ICO commercial satellite, manufactured by Hughes, will be launched as the first in an orbital cluster comprising a 12 satellite global personal mobile communication system. The total cost of the project is estimated at $3.5 billion. The Sea Launch consortium is made up of Boeing (40%), Russia's Energiya Corporation (25%), Ukraine's Yuzhnoe Design Bureau and Yuzhmash company (15%) and Norway's Kvaerner (20%). The project has had a chequered history. Boeing was investigated by the US authorities as to whether it violated criminal laws by improperly sharing sensitive rocket data with Russian and Ukrainian technicians working on the project. The project was temporarily suspended and Boeing paid a hefty fine of $10m. The first commercial launch was originally scheduled for late 1999. The project uses a converted oil platform as a mobile, floating launch pad for satellites: a less expensive method than land launch sites. Associated articles: www.concise.org. 5th March 1999; 1st April 1999

Article ID: 1511