BERN, Switzerland, May 31, 2011 – Sea Launch has resumed shipments of Zenit-3SL hardware in preparation for its return to launch operations in the third quarter of 2011. The two-stage Zenit-2S booster, manufactured by PO Yuzhmash of Dnepropetrovsk, Ukraine and the Block-DM-SL manufactured by OAO Rocket and Space Corporation Energia of Moscow, Russian Federation departed the Port of Oktyabrsky on May 31, 2011 for transit to Sea Launch Home Port facilities in Long Beach, California where launch vehicle integration and combined operations take place.
Production oversight for the Zenit-3SL vehicle is carried out by Energia Logistics, with facilities in Moscow (“ELRF”) and Long Beach, California (“ELUS”). Energia Logistics’ responsibilities focus on closely monitoring hardware production schedules with regular visits to contractor and subcontractor facilities alongside Sea Launch customers to verify and assure on-time delivery and performance. “Sea Launch has ten Zenit-3SL’s on order, covering requirements for missions # 31 through # 40 which will satisfy existing and future customer requirements for launches through the end of 2013” said Kjell Karlsen, President of Sea Launch. “We are very pleased with having achieved yet another important milestone towards the resumption of launch operations later this year”.
About Sea Launch
Sea Launch AG, headquartered in Bern, Switzerland, provides corporate sales, marketing, contracting and management for launch services based on the highly-proven and reliable Zenit- 3SL launch system. The Sea Launch system offers the most direct and cost-effective route to geostationary orbit for commercial communications satellites and has flown 30 missions, providing diversity of supply, affordability and flexibility for the industry’s satellite operators. For more information, please visit the Sea Launch website at: www.sea-launch.com.
Contact: Peter Stier, +1 562 499 4726, peter.g.stier@sea-launch.com
