Sea Launch plans to perform its fifth mission of 2006, placing the XM-4 satellite into orbit for XM Satellite Radio Oct. 26. Liftoff of the Zenit-3SL vehicle from Sea Launch’s floating platform at the equator is scheduled for 7:49 p.m. EDT. The launch window is open for 58 minutes.

XM-4, based on Boeing Co.’s 702 platform, carries a digital audio radio service payload built by Alcatel Alenia Space. XM-4 will be placed at 115 degrees West to provide service throughout the continental United States and parts of Canada.

Sea Launch will carry live satellite feed and streaming video of the mission, beginning at 7:35 pm PDT. Transponder coordinates for downlinking this feed will be posted at: http://www.boeing.com/nosearch/sealaunch/broadcast.html. A Web cast may be viewed at: http://www.sea-launch.com/current_index_webcast.html.