Sea Launch LLC was in final preparations at press time for the launch of DirecTV’s Spaceway-1 satellite. The 30-minute launch window at Sea Launch’s equatorial launch site opened at 3:31:30 a.m. EDT today. The satellite is being lofted into orbit by a Zenit-3SL rocket.

Spaceway-1, based on a Boeing 702 platform, will be placed in geosynchronous orbit at 102.8 degrees W, where it will help DirecTV expand its high definition programming options. The satellite has a design life of 12 years.

For more information regarding the launch, visit http://www.sea-launch.com/current_index_webcast.html.