Sea Launch Project
Constituent Parts of the System
Launch Platform Odyssey
A self-propelled semi-submersible, catamaran-type, Launch Platform (LP) Odyssey is a floating rocket launch system. The platform is based on an off-shore oil drilling rig and was built at Rosenberg shipyard (Stavanger, Norway). It is equipped with a launch pad, a launch vehicle erector, systems for filling with propellant components, and other systems that support the integrated launch vehicle pre-launch processing and launch. The installation of the rocket systems,
launching and support equipment was performed at the Kvaerner-Vyborg shipyard at Vyborg (Russia).
The platform has a hangar, inside which a launch vehicle Zenit-3SL integrated with the payload is transported to
the launch site. The hangar has an air conditioning system which operates throughout the entire transit period. There
is a special transporter/erector to roll the launch vehicle out of the hangar and erect it on the launch pad. There
are rooms equipped for propellant component storage (kerosene and liquid oxygen). A remotely-controlled rocket fuelling
system and an automatic launch system allow to conduct pre-launch operations without any persons present on board the platform.
LP can accommodate 68 persons of crew and launch support personnel.The accommodations include living quarters, a
canteen, and an ambulance room.
The home port of the launch platform is Long Beach port located in south-western US (California).
The vessel arrived from Europe to the Home Port under its own power by way of Gibraltar, Suez channel and Singapore.
| Basic perfomances |
Displacement, ton:
- In transit
- Semi-submerged
|
27400
46000
|
|
Length, m:
|
133
78
|
| Width (by deck), m |
66,8 |
Main deck elevation, m |
42 |
| Height (up to the helipad), m |
71 |
| Speed, knots |
up to 12 |
|
Draft, m:
- In transit
- Semi-submerged
|
7,5
21,5
|
| Electrical power available from the generator plant, kW |
8000 |
Rocket segment systems on the launch platform:
- A suite of support equipment and systems for pre-launch
processing and launch, including:
- Erector,
- launch pad,
- cable tower,
- oxidizer and fuel filling systems,
- compressed gas supply system,
- system for supplying nitrogen, etc.,
- thermostatting system,
- complex of automated control systems for processing operations,
- launch measurement complex.
)
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
