The Sea Launch Zenit 3SL/DM-SL rocket unsuccessfully lifted off on March 12 from the Odyssey Launch Platform, located on the equator at 154°W, at 14:49 UTC (06:49 PST), carrying ICO-1, the first satellite for ICO Global Communications. Telemetry problems developed while the second stage engines' fired, and after the separation of that stage from the third stage. Sea Launch officials believe the rocket veered off course while the second stage fired, and was destroyed by either automated self-destruct systems on the booster or from aerodynamic forces. Sea Launch believes the upper part of the rocket and attached ICO mobile communications satellite crashed into the Pacific Ocean about 4,300 km (2,670 nmi) southeast of the launch site. The lost satellite was valued at US$100 million. The launch was adequately insured to cover the anticipated costs of building and launching a replacement spacecraft. ICO-1 would have been used for a six-month test session to check the Hughes-built satellite and the ICO ground network prior to launching a second satellite. This satellite was to be the first of a 12 satellite constellation to be deployed into a 6 hour orbit. ICO's 12 satellites will orbit at an altitude of 10,355 km (6,430 nmi), five operational satellites and one spare satellite, in each of two orthogonal planes, each inclined at 45 degrees to the equator, to provide global coverage of the Earth. Each satellite will cover approximately 30 percent of the Earth’s surface at a given time. The system will offer mobile voice, data, fax and messaging services, with operations planned to begin by October 2002. The ICO satellites are modified versions of the Hughes HS 601 spacecraft bus, weighing, at launch, 2,750 kg (6,061 lbm). The ICO satellites stowed dimensions are 2.3 m (7 ft 6 in) x 2.3 m (7 ft 6 in) x 4.7 m (15 ft 6 in). Each satellite will carry an integrated C- and S-band payload, with a total of 5100 watts of power and a peak effective isotropic radiated power (EIRP) of 58 dBW, to support 4500 simultaneous telephone calls. The S-band active direct radiating array antennas are the direct link to users, forming multiple beams for high-gain performance. The satellites are designed to operate for at least 12 years, providing 8.9 kW power at end-of-life from its pair of four-panel dual-junction gallium arsenide solar wings. ICO ordered the 12 satellites from Hughes Space and Communications in July 1995, in a contract valued at more than US$2 billion. Separately, Hughes invested US$93.8 million in ICO, making it a strategic partner.

More Information

• Zenit Data Sheet.
• ICO Global Data Sheet.

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