June 1, 2012 - 11:32 AMT
Russian rocket puts U.S. Intelsat 19 satellite into orbit

A Russian rocket on Friday, June 1 successfully put the U.S. Intelsat 19 telecoms satellite into orbit, following a seaborne launch, the Russian space corporation Energia said, according to RIA Novosti.

The Zenit-3SL rocket lifted off from the launch pad Odyssey in the Pacific Ocean at 05:23 GMT on Friday.

Odyssey, positioned on the equator, is a converted oil rig operated by the Swiss-based rocket company Sea Launch.

The 5,600 kilogram Intelsat 19 is a geostationary communications satellite built by Space Systems Loral.

The satellite carries 46 C-band and 34 Ku-band transponders to provide telecoms services to high-growth markets around the Pacific Rim, including Southeast Asia, Australia, New Zealand, and U.S. West Coast.