Posted: Mon, Dec 12, 2005, 7:48 AM ET (1248 GMT)
Sea Launch has won a contract to launch a large broadband data communications satellite, the multinational venture announced last week. Sea Launch will launch the Spaceway 3 satellite for Hughes Network Systems (HNS) in early 2007 on a Zenit 3SL. Spaceway 3, a Boeing 702 model communications satellite, will weigh more than 6,000 kilograms at launch. The satellite was originally intended to be part of a series of satellites that would provide high-speed Internet communications worldwide, but HNS's former parent DirecTV, elected to modify the first two satellites, launched earlier this year, to provide high-definition television services. Spaceway 3 will serve North America. Boeing, the managing partner of Sea Launch, said that the contract is the eighth this year for the venture, which carried out four launches in 2005.

Related Links:

•  Space News article (subscription required)
•  Boeing press release