• By Annalee Newitz
    Jan 16, 2008 6:40 AM 1,002
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    Satellite Rockets from Ocean Launch Pad at Equator

    A communications satellite called the Thuraya-3 launched yesterday afternoon from Boeing's Sea Launch, a massive ocean vessel. Various laws of physics dictate that the best place to launch a heavy payload like a satellite is on the equator, and that's why the United Arab Emirates company Thuraya paid to use the Sea Launch pad you see here. Sea Launch is a popular rocket launch facility because two of its gigantic boat components can quickly zoom out into the middle of the Pacific — it was where Thuraya-1 and Thuraya-2 launched too. We've got a giant, beautiful picture of the Thuraya-2 blasting off four years ago below the fold.

    Images courtesy of Sea Launch and AFP/Getty Images.

    Satellite Launches from Equator [PhysOrg]


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