Payloads Are Fueled for the Upcoming Heavy-Lift Launch

(May 6, 2008) -- The two payloads for Arianespace's next Ariane 5 heavy-lift mission have been fueled as preparations continue for the May 23 launch from the Spaceport in French Guiana.

Both Skynet 5C and Turksat 3A were "topped off" within hours of each other inside the S5 satellite preparation facility, underscoring the Spaceport's ability to keep pace with the accelerating launch rate for Ariane 5.

Turksat 3A is to be utilized by Ankara-based Turksat, providing telecommunication services and direct TV broadcasting for Turkey, Europe, the Middle East, North Africa and Central Asia. This 3,060 kg. satellite is based on Thales Alenia Space's Spacebus 4000B2 spacecraft design, and carries 24 Ku-band transponders.

Skynet 5C will be the third satellite launched by Arianespace for U.K.-based Paradigm - a military satellite telecommunications operator that delivers resilient, survivable and secure communications to military and government users. The Skynet 5-series spacecraft are built by EADS Astrium, and carry hardened Ultra High and Super High Frequency (UHF/SHF) payloads that operate with multiple, steerable spot beams.

Source : Arianespace

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