The EchoStar XV launch campaign did not have a traditional start. Usually the teams meet in Moscow and travel to Baikonur together, but not this time. The SS/L and EchoStar teams came in from California, KhSC came from Moscow, and the ILS Team was already in Baikonur waiting for their arrival (this team launched the last rocket). A couple of days after that, the Antonov arrived with the EchoStar XV SC. Needless to say, when we finally got together for the first time to “break bread”, a good time was had by all!