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The Sea Launch team gathers on the pier for traditional farewells prior to the departure of the Sea Launch Commander. |
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Rob Peckham offers departing remarks to the team, with Irina Masinovsky (at left) translating for our Russian-speaking community. Keith Dayton looks on (at right). |
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Jeff Seto, launch vehicle manager for DIRECTV, thanks everyone for their hard work in preparing for this mission. |
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Steve Schmidt, spacecraft program manager for Boeing, also offers some comments before he boards the vessel. |
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Keith Dayton, vice president launch operations at Sea Launch, takes the traditional readiness poll of all leaders on the mission. The response is a unanimous "ready!" from the team. |
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With Captain Johnny Soevik leading the way, the team steps up to the gangplank and departure preparations get underway.
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With the lines let go and the engines starting up, the Sea Launch Commander pulls away from the pier and into the harbor.
(Sea Launch photos by |
