[SatNews] The temps will, no doubt be hot, but undeterred a launch is the focus and so...

Liftoff is planned for 22:23 Pacific Daylight Time (PDT) on Thursday, May 31st (05:23 UTC/GMT, Friday, June 1), at the opening of a 120-minute launch window.

Upon their arrival at the launch site later this month, at 154 degrees West Longitude, the Sea Launch team will initiate a 72-hour countdown. After ballasting the Launch Platform Odyssey to launch depth, the team will roll out and erect a Zenit-3SL rocket on the launch pad, execute final tests and then proceed with fueling operations and launch.

Prior to fueling, all personnel on the Launch Platform will transfer to the Sea Launch Commander for the duration of the mission. The team monitors both marine and launch operations remotely from the ship, positioned about four miles uprange of the platform.

On launch day, the Zenit-3SL vehicle will lift the 5,600 kilograms (12,345 lbs.) Intelsat-19 spacecraft into a defined high-perigee geosynchronous transfer orbit. Based on the Space System/ Loral’s 1300E high-power platform, Intelsat-19 will provide service to high-growth markets around the Pacific rim, including Southeast Asia, Australia, New Zealand, and US west coast, from its orbital location of 166 degrees East longitude.