Ariane 5's Final Assembly is Completed for Mission With the ATV

(February 26, 2008) -- The Ariane 5 for Arianespace's upcoming historic mission to service the International Space Station is now complete following installation of the large fairing that will protect its Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV) payload during the launcher's initial ascent.

Integration of the payload fairing was performed yesterday at Europe's Spaceport in French Guiana (photo at left), marking one of the last major milestones in Ariane 5's final assembly process.

With a liftoff scheduled for the early morning hours of March 8, this mission will be the first Ariane flight in support of the International Space Station, and the 19-metric-ton ATV is to be the largest single spacecraft ever lofted by Ariane 5.

The European-built ATV resupply spacecraft will deliver propellant, oxygen, equipment, systems, food and water for the International Space Station and its crew. It is the first of nine ATVs currently on Arianespace's order book for launch to the manned orbital station over the next several years.

Source : Arianespace

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