1999年10月10日,海上卫星发射公司从位于太平洋西经154度赤道附近的海上发射平台,发射了一枚天顶号运载火箭,成功地将一颗美国通信卫星送入太空轨道。这是海上发射系统的首次商业性卫星发射,使国际航天界酝酿多年的新的卫星发射方式成为现实。在此以前的3月28日该海上发射平台曾将一颗模拟卫星送入轨道,为这次商业发射奠定了基础。 On 10 October 1999, Offshore Launch Company launched a zenith launch vehicle from a launching platform on the sea near the equator at the 154-degree west longitude of the Pacific Ocean, successfully bringing an American communications satellite into space orbit. This is the first commercial satellite launch of a maritime launch system, which has made it possible for the new launch of the satellite to be brewed by the international space community for many years. On March 28 this previous launch, the offshore launching platform had put a simulated satellite into orbit, laying the foundation for this commercial launch.