In case you didn't notice yesterday, the launch of the XM-4 satellite was halted yesterday due to "off-nominal data from its automated launch support equipment."

While I'm not necessarily sure what's involved with the automated launch support equipment, I do know that being "off-nominal" is rocket-speak for "buggy" so it's a good idea the launch was scrubbed.

Have no fear though, both the spacecraft and the launch vehicle are in excellent condition. When things get nominal again, there will be an update.

The 72-hour countdown for the launch of the XM-4 satellite on October 26 has started. Liftoff is planned at the opening of a 58-minute launch window at 4:49pm PT (that's 7:49pm ET).

The Sea Launch Commander is now alongside the Odyssey, which is connected by a "link bridge" during launch preparations. Tomorrow, the team will raise the Zenit-3SL rocket on the launch pad. Final tests on the launch system and the spacecraft will lead up to the terminal count for liftoff.

The rocket will launch the 11,448 lbs XM-4 satellite to an optimized geosynchronous transfer orbit (GTO), on its way to a final orbital position of 115 degrees West Longitude.

Sea Launch will carry a live satellite feed and a streaming webcast of the XM-4 mission, starting at 4:35 pm PT (that would be 7:35 pm ET).

[more on Sea Launch's Current Launch Page] 

The Sea Launch team is preparing for their fifth mission of 2006, the launch of the XM-4 satellite, which is scheduled to occur on October 26th.

There's a 58-minute launch window that begins at 4:49pm Pacific Daylight Time (23:49 GMT), and if all goes well a Zenit-3SL will send the 11,448 lbs XM-4 satellite into geosynchronous transfer orbit, on its way to a final orbital position of 115 degrees West Longitude.

Check out the live webcam of the Odyssey Launch Platform and the Sea Launch Commander as they embark about 3,000 miles to the launch site on the Equator (specifically at 154 degrees West Longitude).
Hopefully everything will be nominal.

This month Sea Launch is preparing for the launch of XM Satellite Radio's XM-4 Satellite (which I believe will be nicknamed "Blues"). The latest status update shows XM-4 being delivered from the Boeing Satellite Development Center to Sea Launch's Payload Processing Facility (pictured). Sea Launch will have live streaming video of the launch on their website.

XM-4, a high-power S-band Boeing 702 satellite, will have 18 kilowatts of total power and is designed for a 15-year lifespan. It will have a final orbital position of 115 degrees West Longitude.

Meanwhile, Harris Corporation has completed the design review for two unfurlable 9-meter gold mesh reflectors with articulating booms that will be used onboard the XM-5 satellite (being manufactured by Space Systems/Loral).