Posted: Fri, Jun 1, 2012, 7:05 AM ET (1105 GMT)
A Zenit-3SL rocket launched from the Pacific Ocean placed an Intelsat communications satellite into orbit early Friday. The Sea Launch Zenit-3SL rocket lifted off from a floating platform on the Equator in the Pacific Ocean at 1:23 am EDT (0523 GMT) Friday and released the Intelsat 19 satellite into geosynchronous transfer orbit about an hour later. The satellite, built by Space Systems/Loral, weighed 5,600 kilograms at launch. The satellite carries a payload of C- and Ku-band transponders and will operate from 166 degrees east in GEO, providing a variety of communications services. The launch was the first of three planned this year by Sea Launch.

Related Links:

•  RIA Novosti article
•  NASASpaceFlight.com article
•  Telecompaper article
•  Sea Launch press release
•  Intelsat press release