The Sea Launch company has successfully launched the Thuraya 3 telecoms satellite from its converted oil rig platform stationed in the Pacific at 11:49 GMT.
The Thuraya 3 satellite separated from the Zenit 3SL launch vehicle 98 minutes later.
The satellite will serve the Middle East and the Asia-Pacific region from a geosynchronous orbit, at 98.5 degrees East Longitude.

The Earth spins faster on the equator so it is the preferred place for satellite launches since the rocket starts with greater momentum than a similar rocket launched away from the equator.