Land Launch of AMOS-3

The Land Launch Zenit-3SLB system debuted its first launch from the Zenit launch site at the Baikonur Space Center in Kazakhstan on April 28, with the successful launch of the AMOS-3 communications satellite. All systems performed as planned. Sea Launch Company and Space International Services (SIS) announced the award of the AMOS-3 launch contract with spacecraft-builder Israel Aircraft Industries, Ltd. (IAI), in February 2006. The success of the first Land Launch mission is a significant accomplishment that represents the work of Space International Services, based in Moscow, and its collaboration with the Sea Launch partnership. The new launch service responds to the demand for reliable, single-payload capabilities in the medium-weight commercial satellite market. Optimizing on heritage hardware, systems and expertise, Land Launch uses a Zenit-3SLB version of the Sea Launch Zenit-3SL rocket. Land Launch missions have both the satellite and the launch vehicle processed and launched from existing Zenit processing and launch facilities at the Baikonur launch complex. SIS is responsible for hardware production and launch operations, while Sea Launch provides administration, mission management, and quality oversight and hardware acceptance services for the Land Launch system. Following the successful AMOS-3 mission, the Land Launch team now prepares for its next mission from the Baikonur site later this summer. Additional information about Land Launch services is available here…