Telstar 18 Satellite Launched

Last night at 11:59 pm EDT, a Zenit-3SL rocket propelled the Telstar 18 communications satellite to a geosynchronous transfer orbit from the Odyssey Sea Launch platform at the equator in the Pacific Ocean. Although the spacecraft separated early from the Zenit's upper stage, it is still expected to reach its intended final orbital location at 138 degrees East longitude and still last for it's full 13-year lifetime. Built by Loral Space & Communications, Telstar 18 will serve markets in Europe, Asia, and the Pacific.