ProtoStar I and BADR-6 Are Readied for Next Week's Launch

(June 25, 2008) -- The final payload integration process has begun for Arianespace's fourth Ariane 5 mission of 2008, with the BADR-6 satellite now mounted atop the launcher and ProtoStar I ready for its installation.

This activity is taking place inside the Final Assembly Building at Europe's Spaceport, as preparations continue for the July 4 evening liftoff from French Guiana.

Final integration began with the encapsulation of ProtoStar I in the Ariane 5's payload fairing. ProtoStar I is the upper passenger in the mission's dual payload "stack," and is positioned atop the SYLDA 5 payload dispenser system.

With the upper payload "stack" component now complete, all is ready for its installation on Ariane 5, where it will be positioned over the BADR-6 spacecraft. BADR-6 was integrated this morning atop the heavy-lift launcher's core cryogenic stage.

Source : Arianespace

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