Ariane 5 Orbits ProtoStar I and BADR-6

(July 7, 2008) -- Arianespace delivered two more telecommunications satellites into orbit for its international customer base today, using Ariane 5 to orbit ProtoStar I and BADR-6 on a heavy-lift mission from the Spaceport in French Guiana.

This 40th flight of an Ariane 5 is part of the seven missions planned by Arianespace in 2008 - making it the busiest year for this workhorse launcher since the vehicle's commercial introduction in 1999.

"Today's success - the fourth in 2008, and our eighth during the past 11 months - demonstrates the full capabilities that we have to offer," said Arianespace Chairman & CEO Jean-Yves Le Gall in comments after the launch. "Ariane 5 brings together power and reliability, combined with the increase in launch rate to meet our customers' needs."

Payload performance for today's mission was approximately 8,640 kg. - which included more than 7,530 kg. for the mission's ProtoStar I and BADR-6 spacecraft passengers, along with their integration hardware and the SYLDA 5 multiple satellite dispenser system.

ProtoStar I is the first satellite for a new operator - the ProtoStar telecommunciations service provider. Built by Space Systems/Loral with the 1300 spacecraft bus, ProtoStar I will provide relay capacity over Asia for direct-to-home (DTH) television broadcasting, as well as broadband communication requirements across the region.

"This satellite is the best example of the extraordinary developments in high-definition direct TV broadcasting and high data rate Internet links," Le Gall explained. "In these areas, Arianespace is the launch services provider that satellite operators prefer by far."

The ProtoStar I satellite was the 33rd Space Systems/Loral-built payload orbited by Arianespace, and it carries 22 36MHz-equivalent Ku-band transponders and 38 36MHz-equivalent C-band transponders for operation from an orbital position of 98.5 deg. East.

"This success is a very important event for our company, and it has been a very long journey - so our thanks and gratitude go to Arianespace for a terrific job with our first satellite," said Philip Father, President and CEO of Protostar. He also thanked Arianespace for providing a "lucky charm" rock, which was presented prior to the mission by Clay Mowry, president of the U.S.-based Arianespace, Inc. subsidiary. Father said it will be brought to all future ProtoStar launches.

Source : Arianespace

Recent News from Arianespace

• Arianespace to Launch Koreasat 6 [Space] [ Wed 27 Aug 2008 ]
• 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 ]