Arianespace's Sixth Ariane 5 of 2007 Moves to the Launch Zone

(December 20, 2007) -- The Ariane 5 for Arianespace's year-ending mission moved to the launch pad at Europe's Spaceport today, clearing the way for tomorrow evening's liftoff on the workhorse launcher's record sixth mission of 2007.

Emerging from the Final Assembly Building at 10:45 a.m. local time in French Guiana, the Ariane 5 GS vehicle completed its 2.8-km. trip to the ELA-3 launch zone in approximately 45 minutes. The Ariane 5's mobile launch table was then secured in place over the flame ducts for the vehicle's powerful cryogenic core stage and two solid rocket motors.

All is now ready for the final countdown leading to the December 21 liftoff during a launch window that opens at 6:14 p.m. local time.

The Ariane 5's two passengers, RASCOM-QAF1 and Horizons-2, will be released in sequence during the 32-min. flight. RASCOM-QAF1 is the upper satellite in the mission's payload "stack," with Horizons-2 installed below it inside the SYLDA multiple payload dispenser.

RASCOM-QAF1 is the first pan-African telecommunications satellite, and it weighs approximately 3,200 kg. for launch. Built by Thales Alenia Space as part of a turnkey contract with RASCOMSTAR-QAF, the satellite is fitted with 12 Ku-band and eight C-band transponders. RASCOM-QAF1 will provide telecommunications, direct TV broadcast and Internet access services during an operating lifetime of 15 years.

The 2,300-kg. Horizons-2 payload was produced by U.S.-based Orbital Sciences, and is to be operated by the Horizons 2 Satellite LLC joint venture of Intelsat and Japan's JSAT. Its 20 Ku-band transponders will meet the growing demand for telecommunications, HDTV and IP-based content distribution in North America. Horizons-2's coverage will be provided over the continental United States, the Caribbean and parts of Canada.

Tomorrow's launch will mark the first time Arianespace has performed six Ariane 5 missions in one year - and it follows the workhorse vehicle's successful dual-passenger flights in March, May, August, October and November. The 10 telecommunications satellites delivered by Ariane 5s so far in 2007 represent a combined payload mass of more than 37,000 kg.

Source : Arianespace

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