A Zenit-3SL rocket lifted off at 2:28am PDT (9:28 GMT) from the Odyssey Launch Platform, positioned at 154 degrees West Longitude. Just over an hour later, the Block DM-SL upper stage inserted the 4,690 kg (10,340 lb) Galaxy 19 satellite into geosynchronous transfer orbit.

Operators at the Hartebeesthoek ground station in South Africa acquired the spacecraft's first signals from orbit shortly after spacecraft separation. All systems performed nominally throughout the mission.

"Congratulations to Intelsat and to Space Systems/Loral for this morning's successful mission," said Kjell Karlsen, president and general manager of Sea Launch.

"We're proud of our role in Intelsat's continued success as the leading provider of fixed satellite services worldwide. This is our 8th successful mission for Intelsat and we look forward to many more. Also, I want to thank everyone at SS/L for their consistently professional work leading up to the successful completion of this mission.

"We're very satisfied with today's mission results. It is again my privilege to acknowledge and thank the Sea Launch partners, contractors and the entire team for another launch superbly executed."

Built by Space Systems/Loral (SS/L), the 1300-series hybrid spacecraft carries a total of 52 physical transponders. The Galaxy 19 satellite will provide Intelsat customers valuable 50-state coverage, as well the Caribbean, Canada and Mexico. It will be located at 97 degrees West Longitude.

"Once operational, Galaxy 19 will host the largest international video programming platform in North America, providing distribution of news and entertainment to our customers who serve the ethnically diverse audience of this region. Likewise, Galaxy 19 will offer our government and network customers seamless data communications for years to come," said David McGlade, Intelsat CEO. "This was our last launch of 2008, completely refreshing the capacity of Intelsat's North American Galaxy Fleet."

related report
Space Systems/Loral-Built Galaxy 19 Satellite Successfully Begins Post Launch Maneuvers
Space Systems/Loral (SS/L) has announced that the Galaxy 19 satellite built for Intelsat, the world's leader in commercial satellite services, is performing post launch maneuvers according to plan.

The satellite's solar arrays deployed on schedule several hours after separation, following this morning's successful launch aboard a Zenit-3SL rocket from Sea Launch's Odyssey Launch Platform at the Equator. The satellite begins firing its main thruster tomorrow in order to maneuver into geosynchronous orbit.

"With the successful launch of Galaxy 19, we have completed our program to refresh the Galaxy Fleet, one of the most valuable franchises in the FSS industry," said Thierry Guillemin, Intelsat's senior vice president and chief technical officer. "We have a long-standing relationship with Space Systems/Loral which has now delivered 43 spacecraft to Intelsat."

Galaxy 19 has a hybrid communications payload with a total of 52 physical transponders and it weighed approximately 4,690 kilograms at launch. The satellite is based on SS/L's 1300 space-proven platform, which provides the flexibility to support a broad range of applications and technology advances.

"We have been delivering satellites to Intelsat for over 25 years," said John Celli, president and chief operating officer of Space Systems/Loral. "The success of the relationship is based on open communications, our shared commitment to reliability, and our passion for exceptional customer service."

Galaxy 19 will provide telecommunications services for Intelsat's customers in North America, Central America and the Caribbean islands. When Galaxy 19 reaches its geostationary orbital slot at 97 degrees West longitude, there will be 56 Space Systems/Loral GEO satellites on orbit.

Related Links
Sea Launch
Space Systems/Loral
Launch Pad at Space-Travel.com

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