First Land Launch Mission Places Amos-3 In Orbit

[Satellite Today – 4-28-08] Spacecom’s Amos-3 satellite was launched from Baikonur Cosmodrome aboard a Zenit-3SLB Land Launch vehicle, Israeli Aerospace Industries and Sea Launch announced.
    Land Launch uses a Zenit-3SLB version of the Sea Launch Zenit-3SL rocket, with the satellite and the launch vehicle processed and launched from existing Zenit facilities at Baikonur. Space International Services is responsible for hardware production and launch operations, while Sea Launch provides administration, mission management and quality oversight and hardware acceptance services.
    Amos-3 will undergo a series of in-orbit tests, before being delivered to its final orbital position at  4° West for Spacecom, where it eventually will replace the Amos-1 satellite.