Boeing-led Sea Launch successfully launched a Zenit 3SL booster from the Odyssey platform in the equatorial mid-Pacific Ocean on 4 May, carrying the 5,485kg (12,080lb) DirecTV 7S satellite - the largest communications spacecraft to be launched into geostationary orbit. The Space Systems/Loral-built DirecTV 7S was placed into an initial geosynchronous transfer orbit.
The launch was the first to result from an alliance between Arianespace, Boeing and Mitsubishi, operator of the Japanese H2A booster, to enable the satellite to be orbited on schedule.
Source: Flight International
