Successful Launch of Skynet 5C and Turksat 3A

(June 12, 2008) -- Ariane 5's on-target launch with Skynet 5C and Turksat 3A tonight marked numerous key milestones for this workhorse Arianespace vehicle.

The flight was Ariane 5's 25th consecutive commercial success, confirming its role as the commercial launcher of reference for satellite operators and manufacturers worldwide. In addition, Skynet 5C was the 30th military payload orbited by Arianespace, while Turksat 3A represented the 53rd Thales Alenia Space-built satellite lofted by the launch services company.

"This 25th success in a row is a world record...which is the result of our strategy to perform dual-payload launches with the same launcher configuration every time: the Ariane 5 ECA," explained Arianespace Chairman & CEO Jean-Yves Le Gall. "It is a winning strategy that is backed by a total quality guarantee and operational visibility for our customers, along with taking the time needed for full testing before liftoff - which was the case for tonight's flight. This is what the customers want: perfect launches that are within the targeted timeframe."

Le Gall added that Arianespace is committed to supporting its clients over the long term, with the mission pace for Ariane 5 continuing to accelerate, along with the future introduction of Soyuz and Vega launchers at the Spaceport.

During tonight's mission, a tracking camera followed the launcher's initial climb-out and ascent during the live video broadcast on www.arianespace.com, providing remarkable views of the two solid rocket boosters' separation two minutes into the mission, followed by the jettisoning of Ariane 5's protective payload fairing 1 minute later.

Ariane 5 then deployed Skynet 5C, releasing the spacecraft approximately 27 minutes after liftoff. This 4,700-kg.-class satellite was built by EADS Astrium using the Eurostar E3000 platform, and it will be positioned at 17.8 degrees West.

Skynet 5C followed Arianespace's orbiting of the Skynet 5A and 5B payloads during 2007, which were launched by Ariane 5 missions in March and November of last year. The Skynet 5-series platforms deliver resilient, survivable and secure communications for military and government users, carrying hardened Ultra High and Super High Frequency (UHF/SHF) payloads that operate with multiple, steerable spot beams.

Turksat 3A was deployed from the Ariane 5 at about 32 minutes into tonight's mission. It will be utilized by Ankara-based Turksat to provide telecommunication services and direct TV broadcasting for Turkey, Europe, the Middle East, North Africa and Central Asia. The 3,110 kg. payload is based on Thales Alenia Space's Spacebus 4000B2 spacecraft design, and carries 24 Ku-band transponders. Turksat 3A's operational orbital slot is 42 deg. East.

This successful Ariane 5 mission was the third of seven flights planned in 2008 by Arianespace -- the most active year since the launcher's commercial introduction in 1999. Arianespace's initial flight of 2008 was conducted on March 9, when an Ariane 5 ES launcher version orbited the first Automated Transfer Vehicle for servicing of the International Space Station. It was followed by an Ariane 5 ECA heavy-lift flight on April 18 that carried Star One C2 and VINASAT-1.

Source : Arianespace

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