Using existing Zenit infrastructure at the Baikonur Space Center, the Land Launch system is based on a modified version of the proven Sea Launch vehicle, the three-stage Zenit-3SL. Land Launch's Zenit-3SLB vehicle addresses the launch needs of commercial satellites weighing up to three-and-a-half metric tonnes. The two-stage Zenit-2SLB is also available for lifting payloads up to thirteen metric tonnes to inclined low Earth orbits.

• Proven launch system
• Reliability, Insurability, Credibility, Experience
• Dedicated GTO launch, no co-passengers
• U.S. Interface and Sea Launch quality control
• Schedule Assurance

Sea Launch Company, LLC, provides contracting and management functions for the Land Launch system. Space International Services, Ltd., based in Moscow, provides hardware and services originating in Russia, Ukraine and Kazakhstan, in a subcontracting arrangement with Sea Launch.

Sea Launch Company, LLC - provides commercial customers with mission management and the Boeing-led quality assurance and hardware acceptance procedures that have contributed to the outstanding reliability of the Sea Launch system.

• Boeing Commercial Space Company, Seattle, Washington, USA
• Aker ASA, Oslo, Norway
• RSC Energia, Moscow, Russia
• SDO Yuzhnoye/PO Yuzhmash, Dnepropetrovsk, Ukraine

Space International Services, Ltd - Space International Services provides all launch system components, mission integration and launch operations.

• SDO Yuzhnoye/PO Yuzhmash, Dnepropetrovsk, Ukraine
• RSC Energia, Moscow Russia
• KBTM – Design Bureau for Transport Machinery, Moscow, Russia
• TsENKI – Center for Ground-Based Space Infrastructure, Moscow, Russia

The Land Launch configurations are closely derived from the Sea Launch system. In particular, propulsion systems and all flight critical avionics are unchanged. The fairings represent the most significance difference. In place of the Boeing-made fairing used on Sea Launch, the Zenit-3SLB adopts a 4-meter fairing made by NPO Lavochkin. It is in current production and has been flight-proven with the Block DM. The Zenit-2SLB fairing is an improved version of the heritage Zenit-2 fairing. Detailed descriptions of the Land Launch configurations, interfaces, satellite environments and operations are provided in the Land Launch User's Guide.

Land Launch uses longstanding facilities at the Baikonur Space Center in Kazakhstan, including:

• Yubileiny Airport - Satellite and equipment delivery
• Area 31 - Payload Processing and encapsulation
• Area 42 - Launch vehicle integration
• Area 45 - Zenit launch complex

These facilities are currently in use. Some thirty-six Zenit vehicles have been processed in Area 42 and launched from Area 45. Numerous Western satellites have been delivered through Yubileiny and processed in Area 31. Hotels are available in Baikonur City and on base in close proximity to the working areas. Land Launch facilities are further described in the Land Launch User's Guide.

AMOS-3
Zenit-3SLB successfully launched the AMOS-3 communications satellite on April 28, 2008, for Space-Communication Ltd. (Spacecom), based in Israel. Built by Israel Aircraft Industries' Systems Missiles & Space Group, the spacecraft will be located at a final orbital position of 4 degrees West Longitude.

Photo credit: Spacecom

For images of the preparations for this mission, please refer to the TsENKI pages as noted (linked with permission - all photos by TsENKI):

• February 2008 - Testing of the Zenit launch complex at Baikonur Site 45 - www.tsenki.com/NewsDoSeleFed.asp?NEWSID=2955

A Zenit-3SLB integrated launch vehicle is rolled out to the launch pad. Russian and Ukrainian launch crews practice operations. All steps of pre-launch processing are featured in this exercise, including LOX loading of the Block DM-SLB upper stage. Following these procedures, components are drained and the rocket is removed from the pad. With testing completed, launch personnel begin actual pre-launch processing for the inaugural Baikonur launch of the Zenit-3SLB.

• April 2008 - Zenit-3SLB launch preparations continue on schedule - www.tsenki.com/NewsDoSeleFed.asp?NEWSID=3220

Russian and Ukrainian launch personnel perform mating of Zenit-3SLB: the orbital unit is attached to the two-stage vehicle at Site 42. The orbital unit consists of Block DM-SLB upper stage and AMOS-3 satellite, which is encapsulated in the payload fairing. Electrical test and check-out follows mechanical mating.

Inquiries about the Amos-3 mission
Press inquiries may be directed to Amos-Spacecom (see: www.amos-spacecom.com).

Land Launch services are available for contracting missions in 2010 and beyond. Please contact Sea Launch for launch opportunities.