The first of the Sea Launch vessels has departed from its home port in Long Beach, Calif., in preparation for the launch of the PanAmSat Corp. [SPOT] PAS 9 satellite on July 28. The Odyssey launch platform left port on July 13.

The PAS 9 launch will be the fourth for Sea Launch. The first two–a demonstration in March 1999 and the launch of DirecTv Inc.’s [GMH] 1R last October– were successful. The third mission, last March, failed during the second stage and was followed by a stand-down to investigate the cause.

“All members of the Sea Launch partnership are confident we have made every effort to ensure the success of this mission,” said Will Trafton, president of Sea Launch.