SES AMERICOM's AMC-21 is Ready for Launch on Ariane 5

(August 5, 2008) -- Final payload integration is in full swing for Arianespace's fifth Ariane 5 mission of 2008, with SES AMERICOM's AMC-21 satellite now installed atop its heavy-lift launcher at the Spaceport in French Guiana.

AMC-21 will be orbited along with Superbird-7 on another of Ariane 5's trademark dual-satellite flights. This mission maintains Arianespace's accelerated pace for 2008, during which a total of seven Ariane 5 launches are planned - the busiest year since the workhorse vehicle's 1999 commercial introduction.

The all Ku-band AMC-21 spacecraft was built by Thales Alenia Space, incorporating Orbital Sciences' STAR-2 satellite bus.

In addition to providing comprehensive service over the 50 U.S. states, AMC-21 also will offer high-power coverage for the Gulf of Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean.

After its launch by Ariane 5, AMC-21 will be positioned at 125 deg. West for a design operational lifetime of 15 years.

Arianespace has served the launch needs of SES and its predecessor companies for nearly 25 years, beginning with the Spacenet 1 satellite - which was orbited on the first ever Arianespace mission in May, 1984.

Source : Arianespace

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