Ariane 5 is Poised for Liftoff

(June 11, 2008) -- Arianespace's third mission of 2008 is ready for liftoff tomorrow evening following the roll-out of Ariane 5 to the Spaceport's ELA-3 launch zone this morning.

Emerging from the Final Assembly Building at 11:00 a.m., the heavy-lift Ariane 5 ECA's transfer was completed in 1 hr. 15 min. It rode atop one of two mobile launch tables developed for the workhorse vehicle, and moved along a 2.8-km. section of the dual-rail track that links the Spaceport's major launch infrastructure elements.

This flight will be another of Ariane 5's trademark dual-satellite missions, carrying the Skynet 5C and Turksat 3A spacecraft. Its upper passenger is Skynet 5C, which was installed atop the SYLDA 5 dispenser system, and then encapsulated in Ariane 5's ogive-shaped payload fairing.

The mission's payload "stack" places Turksat 3A in the lower passenger position, with this satellite being released in the final phase of Ariane 5's 32-minute fight.

Turksat 3A will be utilized by Ankara-based Turksat for telecommunication services and direct TV broadcasting over Turkey, Europe, the Middle East, North Africa and Central Asia. It was built by Thales Alenia Space and has a liftoff weight of 3,110 kg. The satellite is based on the Spacebus 4000B2 spacecraft design, and carries 24 Ku-band transponders.

Skynet 5C is designed to deliver resilient, survivable and secure communications for military and government users. Built by EADS Astrium, this platform weighs approximately 4,600 kg. at liftoff and will be operated by the U.K.-based operator, Paradigm. Skynet 5C carries hardened Ultra High and Super High Frequency (UHF/SHF) payloads that use multiple, steerable spot beams.

Source : Arianespace

Recent News / Press releases from Arianespace

• The Heavy-Lift Ariane 5 Rolls Out to the Launch Zone [Space] [ Thu 14 Aug 2008 ]
• Arianespace's 5th Ariane 5 of 2008 is Authorized for Launch [Space] [ Wed 13 Aug 2008 ]
• SES AMERICOM's AMC-21 is Ready for Launch on Ariane 5 [Space] [ Wed 6 Aug 2008 ]
• Superbird 7 is Readied for Launch on Upcoming Ariane 5 Mission [Space] [ Fri 1 Aug 2008 ]
• Arianespace Receives its 5th Ariane 5 of 2008 [Space] [ Tue 29 Jul 2008 ]
• Arianespace Chosen to Launch MSG-4 Weather Satellite [Space] [ Wed 23 Jul 2008 ]
• AMC-21 Arrives for Ariane 5's Upcoming Heavy-Lift Mission [Space] [ Fri 18 Jul 2008 ]