A Galaxy 19 satellite for Intelsat was lofted to orbit by a Zenit-3SL rocket that lifted off the Sea Launch Odyssey platform at the Equator, Space Systems/Loral, the satellite provider, announced.

That is a unit of Loral Space and Communications [LORL].

The satellite achieved orbit and deployed solar arrays, the company reported.

It was the fifth successful launch from the sea-going platform this year.

An hour-plus after liftoff, the Block DM-SL upper stage inserted the 4,690 kilogram (10,340 pound) Galaxy 19 satellite into geosynchronous transfer orbit.

Operators at the Hartebeesthoek ground station in South Africa acquired the spacecraft’s first signals from orbit shortly after spacecraft separation. All systems performed nominally throughout the mission.

The 1300-series hybrid spacecraft carries a total of 52 physical transponders. Galaxy 19 will provide Intelsat customers with 50-state coverage, as well the Caribbean, Canada and Mexico. It will be located at 97 degrees West Longitude.

"Once operational, Galaxy 19 will host the largest international video programming platform in North America, providing distribution of news and entertainment to our customers who serve the ethnically diverse audience of this region. Likewise, Galaxy 19 will offer our government and network customers seamless data communications for years to come," said David McGlade, Intelsat CEO. "This was our last launch of 2008, completely refreshing the capacity of Intelsat’s North American Galaxy fleet."