Ariane 5 ECA Launch Overview:

The Ariane 5 ECA (Cryogenic Evolution type A) – the most powerful version in the Ariane 5 range - was used for this flight.

The Ariane 5 ECA is an improved Ariane 5 Generic launcher. Although it has the same general architecture, a number of major changes were made to the basic structure of the Ariane 5 Generic version to increase thrust and enable it to carry heavier payloads into orbit.

Designed to place payloads weighing up to 9.6 tonnes into GTO, this increased capacity allows the Ariane 5 ECA to handle dual launches of very large satellites.

As Arianespace prepares for the expansion of its launcher family with the introduction of Soyuz and Vega at the Spaceport, the company has adopted a new numbering system to identify its missions with these three vehicles.

Ariane 5 flights will carry the “VA” designation, followed by the flight number.  The “V” is for “vol,” the French word for “flight,” while the “A” represents the use of an Ariane launch vehicle.  As a result, this latest mission will carry the “VA204″ reference, for the 204th launch of an Ariane since this family of vehicles began operations in 1979.

With the introduction of Soyuz at the Spaceport in 2011 – starting with the launch of the Galileo IOV-M1 satellites – Arianespace missions from South America with the medium-lift workhorse launcher will be designated “VS,” while flights with the lightweight Vega vehicle are to be referenced as “VV.”

SES-2 was positioned on the launcher’s core section as the lower payload, allowing the “stack” to be completed with installation of the Arabsat-5C/SYLDA/fairing combination atop it.

During the flight sequence, the payload fairing will be jettisoned first, followed by deployment of Arabsat-5C. The SYLDA dispenser is then released, allowing the subsequent separation of SES-2 to complete the Arianespace mission.

The multi-mission Arabsat-5C was built for the Arab Satellite Communications Organization (Arabsat), and is to provide capacity in both the C- and Ka-bands for a range of communications services.  To be operated from Arabsat’s 20 deg. East orbital position.

Arabsat-5C was built by EADS Astrium and Thales Alenia Space in a joint program for the satellite’s assembly and in-orbit delivery.  As the lead partner, Astrium supplied the Eurostar E3000 platform, with responsibility for assembling and testing the spacecraft. Thales Alenia Space designed and built the communications payload, which integrates C-band and Ka-band transponders.

The spacecraft has an estimated launch mass of 4,630 kg.

Its SES-2 co-passenger for the Ariane 5 flight was built by Orbital Sciences Corporation of the U.S. for SES WORLD SKIES, and is a hybrid C- and Ku-band spacecraft that will serve North America from an orbital slot of 87 deg. West. 

This platform has an estimated mass at liftoff of 3,152 kg., and it also carries the Commercially Hosted InfraRed Payload (CHIRP) for the U.S. Air Force – which integrates a wide-field of view sensor in the satellite.

The SES-2 satellite is based on Orbital’s GEOStar 2.4 bus, the company’s largest and most powerful communications satellite.  It carries 24 active C-band and 24 Ku-band transponders of 36 MHz capacity.  Six of the channels in each band can be cross-strapped to the opposite band, enabling new service capability.

The SES-2 satellite will generate approximately 5.0 kilowatts of payload power and will have two 2.3 meter deployable reflectors.

“We are looking forward to the upcoming launch and the completion of the in-orbit testing of the SES-2 spacecraft for our customer,” said Mr. Christopher Richmond, Orbital’s Senior Vice President and head of its communications satellite business unit.

“SES-2 will join four other Orbital-built GEOStar 2 spacecraft in the SES fleet, including SES-1, SES-3, NSS-9 and AMC-21, all of which continue to operate with high reliability, enabling SES to provide communications services to its customers around the world.”

CHIRP program manager Brent Armand added, “Orbital’s critical role in establishing the contract framework, the engineering processes and procedures, and the standard hosted payload interface to be first used by CHIRP, is helping pave the way for a new business value proposition for our government and international customers. 

“Taking advantage of the regularity and reliability of the commercial space industry to deploy new-generation technologies in a timely way and at an affordable total mission cost is becoming an attractive option for government space mission planners.”

The flight had been delayed for supplementary checks on the engine that powers Ariane 5′s cryogenic upper stage, which were performed as part of Arianespace’s commitment to quality and reliability.

“As we do not tolerate any defect on our launchers, there was no hesitation on our part in delaying this upcoming flight to ensure the highest level of quality for a successful mission,” said Arianespace Chairman & CEO Jean-Yves Le Gall.

“With the launch sector’s ‘devastation’ caused by mission failures of other vehicles, Ariane 5 stands out with its track record of 45 consecutive successes.”

The launch suffered one further 24 hour delay due to industrial action in the local area.

(Images via Arianespace)

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July Scrub:

All was looking good for the latest Arianespace mission until the countdown clock turned red with just under two minutes remaining in the countdown.

Although Arianespace Chairman & CEO Jean-Yves Le Gall initially said it was hoped the problem would be resolved within 15 minutes, he returned to inform the audience in the launch control center that the vehicle wouldn’t be launching within the allocated window.

Mr Le Gall also confirmed the countdown was stopped following an indication that a liquid hydrogen valve had not closed properly in the ground system network leading to Ariane 5’s core cryogenic stage. 

After initial troubleshooting did not fully identify the cause of this anomaly, thus a the mission postponement decision was made.

Following evaluations, the vehicle returned to the Assembly Building for repairs, which will result in a delay to the mission by what turned out to be over a month – after it was initally thought the mission would only have to wait another two weeks.

This latest attempt was set to take place on Friday night (August 5). However, poor weather in the region forced managers to delay for a further 24 hours.

Ariane 5 ECA Launch Overview:

The Ariane 5 ECA (Cryogenic Evolution type A) – the most powerful version in the Ariane 5 range – was used for this flight.

The Ariane 5 ECA is an improved Ariane 5 Generic launcher. Although it has the same general architecture, a number of major changes were made to the basic structure of the Ariane 5 Generic version to increase thrust and enable it to carry heavier payloads into orbit.

Designed to place payloads weighing up to 9.6 tonnes into GTO, this increased capacity allows the Ariane 5 ECA to handle dual launches of very large satellites.

As Arianespace prepares for the expansion of its launcher family with the introduction of Soyuz and Vega at the Spaceport, the company has adopted a new numbering system to identify its missions with these three vehicles.

Ariane 5 flights will carry the “VA” designation, followed by the flight number.  The “V” is for “vol,” the French word for “flight,” while the “A” represents the use of an Ariane launch vehicle.  As a result, this latest mission will carry the “VA203″ reference, for the 203rd launch of an Ariane since this family of vehicles began operations in 1979.

With the introduction of Soyuz at the Spaceport in 2011, Arianespace missions from South America with the medium-lift workhorse launcher will be designated “VS,” while flights with the lightweight Vega vehicle are to be referenced as “VV.”

Ariane 5 carried a total estimated payload of 9,095 kg. – including 8,240 kg. for the ASTRA 1N and BSAT-3c/JCSAT-110R satellite passengers. ASTRA 1N is located in the upper position of Ariane 5′s payload “stack” and will be released first during the 38-minute mission.

The ASTRA 1N spacecraft, was built by EADS Astrium in Toulouse, France for the Luxembourg-based operator SES Astra. 

Based on Astrium’s Eurostar E3000 platform, ASTRA 1N has an estimated liftoff mass of 5,350 kg. and is fitted with 52 active Ku-band transponders.  It initially is to deliver interim capacity from an orbital position of 28.2 deg. East, and subsequently will move to SES ASTRA’s prime location at 19.2 deg. East for primary and backup services during a designed operational lifetime of 15 years.

BSAT-3c/JCSAT-110R was manufactured by Lockheed Martin Commercial Space Systems at its plant in Newtown, Pennsylvania as part of a turnkey contract for Japanese operators B-SAT Corporation and SKY Perfect JSAT Corporation. 

Produced using an A2100 A platform, this satellite will weigh approximately 2,910 kg. at launch, and is to be positioned at 110 deg. East longitude in geostationary orbit, and offers a design life exceeding 16 years. BSAT-3c/JCSAT-110R is fitted with 24 active Ku-band transponders, and is primarily designed to provide direct TV broadcast links for all of Japan.

“We were extremely pleased to collaborate with two valued customers on this program,” said Lockheed Martin Commercial Space Systems president Joseph Rickers. “Once BSAT-3c/JCSAT-110R has been successfully launched and handed over for service, we are confident that both B-SAT and SKY Perfect JSAT will benefit tremendously from the enhanced capabilities that BSAT-3c/JCSAT-110R will bring to their respective fleets.”

The Lockheed Martin A2100 geosynchronous spacecraft series is designed to meet a wide variety of telecommunications needs including Ka-band broadband and broadcast services, fixed satellite services in C-band and Ku-band, high-power direct broadcast services using the Ku-band frequency spectrum and mobile satellite services using UHF, L-band, and S-band payloads.

The modular design features simplified construction, increased on-orbit reliability and reduced weight and cost. The A2100 design accommodates a large range of communication payloads and serves as the platform for critical government communications programs, including the Advanced Extremely High Frequency and Mobile User Objective System satellites.

The A2100 spacecraft can also be configured for missions other than communication. It has been adapted for Lockheed Martin’s Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite Series-R earth observing mission and serves as the spacecraft platform for Lockheed Martin’s GPS III program.

Click here for other Ariane Articles: http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/tag/ariane-5/

Saturday’s mission follows Arianespace’s previous Ariane 5 flights in 2011 that orbited the ST-2 and GSAT-8 telecommunications satellites on May 20; the Yahsat Y1A and Intelsat New Dawn relay spacecraft on April 22; and the Johannes Kepler Automated Transfer Vehicle for servicing of the International Space Station on February 16.

(Images via Arianespace).

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Ariane 5 ECA Launch:

The Ariane 5 ECA (Cryogenic Evolution type A) – the most powerful version in the Ariane 5 range – is was used for this flight.

The Ariane 5 ECA is an improved Ariane 5 Generic launcher. Although it has the same general architecture, a number of major changes were made to the basic structure of the Ariane 5 Generic version to increase thrust and enable it to carry heavier payloads into orbit.

Designed to place payloads weighing up to 9.6 tonnes into GTO, this increased capacity allows the Ariane 5 ECA to handle dual launches of very large satellites.

As Arianespace prepares for the expansion of its launcher family with the introduction of Soyuz and Vega at the Spaceport, the company has adopted a new numbering system to identify its missions with these three vehicles. 

Ariane 5 flights will carry the “VA” designation, followed by the flight number.  The “V” is for “vol,” the French word for “flight,” while the “A” represents the use of an Ariane launch vehicle.  As a result, the mission with ST-2 and GSAT-8 will carry the “VA202″ reference, for the 202nd launch of an Ariane since this family of vehicles began operations in 1979.

With the introduction of Soyuz at the Spaceport in 2011, Arianespace missions from South America with the medium-lift workhorse launcher will be designated “VS,” while flights with the lightweight Vega vehicle are to be referenced as “VV.”

The new Vega small launcher took its the next step towards its maiden flight later this year with completion of mechanical testing of a full-scale mock-up at the Spaceport in April.

ST-2 will be deployed first during the 31-minute flight sequence of Ariane 5.  Built by Japan’s Mitsubishi Electric Company, the satellite will be operated by the ST-2 Satellite Ventures joint company of Singapore Telecommunications Ltd (SingTel) and Taiwan’s Chunghwa Telecom Company Ltd.  

With an estimated liftoff mass of 5,090 kg., ST-2 will provide Ku- and C-band relay services for the delivery of IP-based fixed and mobile, voice and data transmission satellite services to businesses – especially direct broadcast TV operators and maritime companies in Asia and the Middle East.

Mitsubishi Electric has been a leading manufacturer contributing to space research and development in Japan mainly for Japan Aerospace eXploration Agency (JAXA), as well as participating in the development of more than 440 international satellites as major subcontractor.

ST-2 makes Mitsubishi Electric the first Japanese satellite manufacturer to enter the commercial communications satellite market outside Japan using DS2000, Mitsubishi Electric’s satellite bus platform currently with a track record of five satellites in orbit.

The DS2000 bus was evolved from the Engineering Test Satellite-8 (ETS-8) developed for NASDA (the National Space Development Agency of Japan), and also was used for the SKY Perfect JSAT Corporation’s Superbird-C2 telecom spacecraft, which was orbited by Arianespace in August 2008 on an Ariane 5.

The other passenger in Ariane 5′s dual-payload “stack” is GSAT-8, which was built by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).  This spacecraft weighs approximately 3,100 kg. for liftoff, and carries 24 transponders to augment India’s Ku-band relay capabilities – primarily for direct-to-home TV broadcast services – with a coverage zone including the entire Indian subcontinent. 

Additionally, GSAT-8 carries the two-channel GAGAN system for aircraft navigation assistance over Indian airspace and adjoining areas.

GSAT-8 – which also is known by the INSAT-4G designation – designed for a mission life of 12 years. Operating with a payload power of 5,300 Watts, the satellite will be located at an orbital position of 55 deg. East longitude following its deployment by Ariane 5.

The GSAT-8 platform will be launched along with ST-2, a spacecraft for the ST-2 Satellite Ventures Pte Ltd. joint venture of Singapore Telecommunications Ltd (SingTel) and Chunghwa Telecom Company Ltd.

In total, 13 Indian satellites have been lofted by Ariane launchers, beginning with APPLE in 1981, and followed by INSAT-1C in 1988, INSAT-2A in 1992, INSAT-2B in 1993, INSAT-2C in 1995, INSAT-2D in 1997, INSAT-2E in 1999, INSAT-3B in 2000, INSAT-3C in 2002, INSAT-3E and INSAT-3A in 2003, INSAT-4A in 2005 and INSAT-4B in 2007.

Another satellite operated by India was INSAT-2DT, which originally was orbited by Ariane in 1992 as Arabsat-1C and acquired by ISRO in November 1997.

Arianespace are targeting six Ariane 5 missions in 2011, along with the first two launches of the medium-lift Soyuz and the lightweight Vega’s maiden flight – all from the Spaceport in French Guiana; as well as three Soyuz missions from Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.

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Ariane 5 ECA Launch:

Originally scheduled for liftoff on March 30, this dual-payload mission was delayed following an interruption of the final countdown when an incorrect displacement of one of the Vulcain 2 engine’s actuators was detected. The Ariane 5 was transferred back to the Spaceport’s Final Assembly Building on April 1, where the actuator was replaced and the launch vehicle was returned to its flight configuration.

Following a successful review, Ariane 5 was cleared for rollout from the Final Assembly Building to the ELA-3 launch zone, where it will be readied for liftoff on Friday during a launch window that opens at 6:37 p.m. local time in French Guiana and continues to 7:41 p.m.

The Ariane reached its 200 flight milestone via the launch of the Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV-2) – the opening launch of the year, via the Ariane 5 ES launcher – with the cargo vehicle currently docked to the International Space Station (ISS).

The Ariane 5 ECA (Cryogenic Evolution type A) – the most powerful version in the Ariane 5 range – is being used for this flight. 

The Ariane 5 ECA is an improved Ariane 5 Generic launcher. Although it has the same general architecture, a number of major changes were made to the basic structure of the Ariane 5 Generic version to increase thrust and enable it to carry heavier payloads into orbit.

Designed to place payloads weighing up to 9.6 tonnes into GTO, this increased capacity allows the Ariane 5 ECA to handle dual launches of very large satellites.

During the initial countdown on March 30, all was green through to main engine ingition, with the Vulcain main engine igniting and ramping up to full power – as designed.

However, instead of the twin solid rocket boosters then firing to launch the vehicle, some seven seconds later, the vehicle remained on the pad, with the main engine still firing for what appears to be at least another ten seconds.

With the vehicle in a pad abort stance, safing was undertaken, with both the vehicle and its passengers secured.

The launch was delayed to April 22, due to the need to rollback the vehicle to its integration center for investigations and reconfiguration – given the umbilicals were all released during the pad abort.

Overview:

The 57th launch of an Ariane 5 – designated as VA201 – will carry a total lift performance of nearly 10,065 kg, which includes the combined 8,965 kg liftoff mass of the two spacecraft passengers, along with the SYLDA dual payload dispenser and integration hardware.

With a liftoff mass of 6,000 kg, the Yahsat Y1A spacecraft is based on Astrium’s Eurostar E3000 platform.

Yahsat Y1A is the initial telecommunications relay spacecraft for Al Yah Satellite Communications Company (Yahsat), and it was built by an industrial team of EADS Astrium and Thales Alenia Space – which have the responsibility of co-prime contractors.

Astrium is the lead for a turnkey delivery of the two-satellite Yahsat system, while Thales Alenia Space is in charge of the launcher procurement.

With a payload of Ku-, Ka- and C-band transponders, the spacecraft will provide coverage over the Middle East, Africa, Europe and Southwest Asia.

Intelsat New Dawn is the first-ever African private sector communications satellite, with the mission of supplying critical communications infrastructure for African customers.  To be marketed and operated as part of the Intelsat satellite fleet, Intelsat New Dawn will deliver wireless backhaul, broadband and media content – which are the fastest growing satellite-based applications in Africa.

Produced by Orbital Sciences Corporation in Dulles, Virginia, the relay platform carries C-band and Ku-band transponders, and will have a liftoff mass of 3,000 kg.  After its deployment by Ariane 5, it will be positioned at a geostationary orbital slot at 32.8 degrees East for its Africa area coverage.

The latest Ariane flight will keep up the mission pace for Arianespace during the year, in which the company is targeting a total of 12 launches – composed of six Ariane 5 flights, the first two Soyuz launches and Vega’s inaugural liftoff, all from the Spaceport; along with three Soyuz launches from Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.

At the Spaceport, another Ariane 5 mission is also taking shape for a May mission with the ST-2 and GSAT-8 satellites – with initial assembly completed. The Spaceport is designed for such parallel mission operations, enabling two Ariane 5s to be prepared for flight.

(Images – Via Arianespace).

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Ariane 5 Launch:

The Ariane is one flight away from the 200 missions milestone, with Flight 199 the 54rd Ariane 5 launch and the sixth of 2010. The Ariane 5 ECA (Cryogenic Evolution type A) – the most powerful version in the Ariane 5 range – used for this flight.

The Ariane 5 ECA is an improved Ariane 5 Generic launcher. Although it has the same general architecture, a number of major changes were made to the basic structure of the Ariane 5 Generic version to increase thrust and enable it to carry heavier payloads into orbit.

Designed to place payloads weighing up to 9.6 tonnes into GTO, this increased capacity allows the Ariane 5 ECA to handle dual launches of very large satellites.

The launcher carried a total payload of 9,259 kg, including 8,170 kg for the Hispasat 1E and Koreasat 6 satellites, which were released into their targeted orbits. The remaining weight was represented by the SYLDA dispenser system and integration hardware.

Koreasat 6 rode as the lower passenger during the ride to the transfer orbit, deployed after its companion payload, HISPASAT 1E.

Hispasat 1E was built by Space Systems/Loral using an LS 1300 platform and had an estimated liftoff mass of 5,270 kg. HISPASAT 1E is a powerful, state-of-the-art Ku-band spacecraft for Fixed Satellite Services (FSS) and Broadcast Satellite Services (BSS).

Fitted with 53 active Ku-band transponders, the powerful satellite will provide Hispasat with additional capacity, enabling it to offer a broader range of video and data transmission services with European and pan-American coverage from an orbital position of 30 degrees West.

Hispasat 1E was the sixth Spanish satellite launched by Arianespace. The European launcher had already orbited Hispasat 1A and 1B In 1992 and 1993. More recently, in 2005 and 2006, the Hispasat group called on Arianespace to launch their XTAR-Eur and Spainsat satellites from HISDESAT.

“We are very proud and honored to be working once again with a customer as prestigious as Hispasat,” noted Arianespace Chairman and CEO Jean-Yves Le Gall. “Being chosen by a major European operator is an outstanding mark of confidence in Arianespace, and clearly reflects the quality and excellence of our launch service and solutions.”

Koreasat 6 weighed about 2,750 kg at launch, and carries 30 Ku-band transponders.  Produced by Thales Alenia Space using a Star-2 platform from Orbital Sciences Corporation, the Koreasat 6 satellite will provide telecommunications and broadcasting services throughout Korea from an orbital position at 116 degrees East.

Koreasat 6 is the second satellite launched by Arianespace for the Korean operator, following Koreasat 3, orbited in 1999. Arianespace has another Korean satellite on its launch manifest, COMS-1, a multimission satellite for the Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI).

“We are extremely proud and honored to be chosen for the second time by Korea Telecom Corporation,” added Le Gall. “Our selection is the clear recognition of the high quality and overall excellence of Arianespace.”

The launch was delayed by a week in order to allow one of its customers to perform complementary checks on their spacecraft. It has not been released as to which customer called for the delay.

The mission with Koreasat 6 and Hispasat 1E is the sixth, and concluding, Ariane 5 launch for 2010, following Arianespace’s previous mission in late November – which orbited the Intelsat 17 and HYLAS 1 spacecraft.

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Ariane 5 ECA Launch:

Flight 198 was the 54rd Ariane 5 launch and the fifth of 2010. The Ariane 5 ECA (Cryogenic Evolution type A) – the most powerful version in the Ariane 5 range – was used for this flight.

The Ariane 5 ECA is an improved Ariane 5 Generic launcher. Although it has the same general architecture, a number of major changes were made to the basic structure of the Ariane 5 Generic version to increase thrust and enable it to carry heavier payloads into orbit.

Designed to place payloads weighing up to 9.6 tonnes into GTO, this increased capacity allows the Ariane 5 ECA to handle dual launches of very large satellites.

For this mission, Ariane 5 delivered an estimated 8,870 kg. total payload, of which approximately 8,070 kg. is the combined mass of Intelsat 17 and HYLAS 1, with the remaining weight represented by the SYLDA dispenser system and integration hardware.

During the 49 minute flight, Intelsat 17 was released first, followed by HYLAS 1.

The mission’s Intelsat 17 payload was produced by Space Systems/Loral based on the company’s LS 1300 Omega satellite bus, and will be positioned at an orbital slot of 66 deg. East after its deployment by Ariane 5.

Its C- and Ku-band capacity, combined with and multi-continental coverage, will offer programmers distribution over a region that extends across Asia and into Europe and Africa.  This is the latest in a long series of Arianespace launches for Intelsat, the leading provider of fixed satellite services worldwide.

HYLAS 1 is the first satellite for London-based Avanti Communications, which sells satellite broadband services to telecommunications companies for the supply to residential, enterprise and institutional users. 

“We have chosen Arianespace for the launch of HYLAS as they have demonstrated the right combination of reliability, value and performance,” said David Williams, Chief Executive of Avanti Communications Group plc. “Their track record is the best guarantee of success. HYLAS, once in orbit will begin a new era in broadband services for the people of Europe and so a reliable and successful launch is of huge importance.”

Designed and built by EADS Astrium in partnership with the Indian Space Research Organisation, HYLAS 1 will bring high-speed broadband services to remote rural areas across Europe. The flexibility of its payload enables Avanti Communications to change the bandwidth of its 8 Ka-band beams while in orbit at a position of 33.5 deg. West, maximizing the satellite’s efficiency.

“Arianespace is proud of this opportunity to serve a new satellite operator and I would like to thank Avanti Communications for its choice,” added Arianespace Chairman and CEO Jean-Yves Le Gall . “This new contract, the 11th signed in 2009 and the 2nd in the United Kingdom, is clear recognition of the quality and competiveness of our launch Service and Solutions offer.”

The platform is a three-axis stabilised design capable of delivering about three kilowatts of power over a mission lifetime of around 15 years. Its structure is based around a load-bearing central cylinder made of carbon fibre reinforced polymer (CFRP), hosting a pair of propellant tanks in its interior and incorporating a standardised launcher interface.

Arianespace remains on track for a total of six Ariane 5 flights in 2010.  Previous to Friday’s launch, the workhorse successfully launched the W3B and BSAT-3b satellites – although W3B later failed on orbit.

It was preceded by three other dual-payload missions: an August 4 flight that orbited RASCOM-QAF 1R and NILESAT 201; the June 26 mission with Arabsat-5A and the COMS spacecraft; and the May 21 launch with ASTRA 3B and COMSATBw-2.

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Ariane 5 ECA Launch:

Flight 197 was the 53rd Ariane 5 launch and the fourth of 2010, following on from the successful dual-payload launches: Arianespace’s August 4 flight with RASCOM-QAF 1R and NILESAT 201; the June 26 mission that orbited the Arabsat-5A and COMS spacecraft, and the May 21 launch with ASTRA 3B and COMSATBw-2. 

An Ariane 5 ECA (Cryogenic Evolution type A) – the most powerful version in the Ariane 5 range – was used for this flight.

Ariane 5′s payload lift performance for this mission was a total of 8,263 kg., which includes a mass of approximately 7,460 kg. for its satellite passengers, along with the associated integration hardware and the launcher’s SYLDA multi-payload dispenser system.

Riding as the upper passenger in Ariane 5′s payload “stack” was Eutelsat’s W3B, which was released at just over 28 minutes into the flight.  This Thales Alenia Space-built telecommunications spacecraft weighs approximately 5.4 metric tons and carries 56 transponders and will be located at an orbital position of 16 deg. East..

In addition to providing increased capacity for rapidly-expanding video platforms in Central Europe and Indian Ocean islands, W3B will initiate a new mission with bandwidth and coverage for telecom operators and Internet Service Providers in Africa to meet sustained demand for enterprise networks and GSM connectivity.

Scheduled to enter service at 16 degrees East in December this year, the satellite will replace Eutelsat’s EUROBIRD 16, W2M and SESAT 1 satellites which will all subsequently be redeployed to alternative positions.

W3B’s 56 transponders will be connected to four distinct footprints: A high-power footprint of Central Europe for Direct-to-Home broadcasting; A widebeam spanning Europe, North Africa, the Middle East and Central Asia for professional video links and data networks; A high-power beam over Madagascar and Indian Ocean Islands for DTH broadcasting; A beam sweeping across Sub-Saharan Africa and Indian Ocean islands  for regional telecoms and Internet services.

Built on a Thales Alenia Space Spacebus 4000 – and expected to have a lifetime service of 15 years – interconnectivity with Europe will also be possible via a combination of Ka-band frequencies in Europe and Ku-band frequencies in Africa.

The satellite’s launch marks the latest step in Eutelsat’s programme of seven satellites (W3B, KA-SAT, W3C, ATLANTIC BIRD 7, W5A, W6A, EUROBIRD 2) to be launched by early 2013 to expand, renew and secure the Group’s in-orbit resources.

UPDATE: However, Eutelsat announced the loss of the W3B satellite, following an anomaly which was detected on the satellite’s propulsion subsystem.

Michel de Rosen, CEO of Eutelsat Communications, commented: “The loss of W3B is a disappointment for Eutelsat and for our customers. We share it with our partners, in particular Thales Alenia Space and with the insurance community. Our attention is now focused on delivering the W3C satellite to 16 degrees East in mid-2011 and on initiating a new programme to compensate for this loss.”

Eutelsat note they are fully insured for the investment in W3B, which guarantees that the Group does not incur any direct financial loss. The non-availability of W3B does not change the financial guidance issued by the company on 30 July 2010.

With the loss of W3B, the three satellites will now remain in full service at 16 degrees East until the arrival of W3C, whose launch is on track for mid-2011. Eutelsat will also immediately initiate a new satellite programme, called W3D, for a planned launch in the first quarter of 2013.

The 2,060-kg. BSAT-3b spacecraft – which was manufactured by Lockheed Martin Commercial Systems for Japan’s B-SAT Corporation – was deployed from Ariane 5′s lower passenger position at approximately 38 minutes into the flight. It is to provide direct television broadcast services from an orbital slot of 110 deg. East.

BSAT-3b features 12 130 W Ku-band channels, eight operating simultaneously, and will be located at 110 degrees East longitude. With a design life of 15 years, BSAT-3b is based on the A2100A platform manufactured by Lockheed Martin Commercial Space Systems (LMCSS), Newtown, Pa. BSAT-3b marks the 12th Lockheed Martin A2100 satellite launched in the 1- to 4-kW class satellite range.

The satellite is comprised entirely of equipment based on proven A2100 designs and flight heritage, enhancing reliability on orbit. Lockheed Martin successfully built and launched BSAT-3a for B-SAT in August 2007 and is currently constructing BSAT-3c/JCSAT-110R, which is scheduled for launch in the second quarter of 2011.

BSAT-3b will be the 37th commercial communications satellite based on the A2100 platform delivered to customers world-wide. All 36 A2100 spacecraft successfully launched are operational and continue to perform their missions.

The Lockheed Martin A2100 geosynchronous spacecraft series is designed to meet a wide variety of telecommunications needs including Ka-band broadband and broadcast services, fixed satellite services in C-band and Ku-band, high-power direct broadcast services using the Ku-band frequency spectrum and mobile satellite services using UHF, L-band, and S-band payloads.

The A2100′s modular design features simplified construction, increased on-orbit reliability and reduced weight and cost. The A2100 design accommodates a large range of communication payloads and serves as the platform for critical government communications programs, including the Advanced Extremely High Frequency and Mobile User Objective System satellites.

The A2100 spacecraft can also be configured for missions other than communication. It has been adapted for Lockheed Martin’s Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite Series-R earth observing mission and serves as the spacecraft platform for Lockheed Martin’s GPS III program.

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Issues:

The opening attempt on the 23rd suffered from an issue relating to the launcher subsystem late in countdown operations, resulting in a scrub for the day.

The countdown appeared to be going to plan on the following day, prior to a hold being called at T-17 seconds. With the clock reset to T-7 minutes, another attempt was made, before another hold was called at almost the same time as the earlier issue.

Lacking available time in the launch window to resolve the problem – classed as an issue with the spaceport’s launch infrastructure, a scrub was called, with the third attempt set for 48 hours later. Saturday’s attempt was issue-free, resulting with a launch at the start of the window.

Overview:

Flight 195 is the 51st Ariane 5 launch and the second in 2010. An ARIANE 5 ECA (Cryogenic Evolution type A), the most powerful version in the ARIANE 5 range, will be used for this flight.

Flight 195 is a commercial mission for Ariane 5. Launcher 552, the 47th production phase ARIANE 5, is the twenty-fifth of the 30 PA contract launchers, for which ASTRIUM is production prime contractor. 552 is consequently the twenty-sixth complete launcher to be delivered to Arianespace, integrated and checked out under ASTRIUM responsibility in the Launcher Integration Building (BIL).

In a dual-payload configuration using the SYLDA 5 ‘A’ (6.4m high) system and a long pattern fairing (total height: 17m), the launcher is carrying the satellites ARABSAT-5A in the upper position and COMS in the lower position.

The mass of ARABSAT-5A is 4,839 kg, with 2,461 kg for COMS. Allowing for the adaptors and the SYLDA 5 structure, total performance required from the launcher for the orbit described above is 8,393 kg. Total payload mass for this flight is substantially less than the maximum capacity of the A5 ECA launcher (of the order of 9,500 kg for a standard GTO orbit inclined at 6 degrees).

Arabsat 5A is the initial fifth-generation spacecraft for Arabsat, which is one of the Arab world’s leading satellite services providers.  This relay platform is designed to handle a full range of satellite communications services over sub-Saharan Africa, the North Africa and Middle East (MENA) region, and beyond.

COMS is a multi-mission satellite for the Korea Aerospace and Research Institute of South Korea, and carries payloads for meteorology, ocean observation and communications.

The Arabsat 5A communications satellite was jointly built by co-prime contractors EADS Astrium and Thales Alenia Space.

Astrium supplied the Eurostar E3000 satellite bus on which Arabsat 5A is based, and also was responsible for its assembly and testing. The spacecraft’s communications payload – which features 26 C-band and 24 Ku-band transponders – was provided by Thales Alenia Space. It is designed for a nominal lifetime of 15 years.

Arabsat 5A is the initial fifth-generation spacecraft for Arabsat, one of the Arab world’s leading satellite services providers. To be located at an orbital position of 30.5 deg. East, it will provide additional capacity for a full range of satellite communications services over sub-Saharan Africa, the North Africa and Middle East (MENA) region, and beyond.

COMS is a South Korean multi-mission spacecraft developed by EADS Astrium and the Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI).  It has the distinction of being the first European-built 3-axis stabilized geostationary observation satellite that carries payloads dedicated to meteorology applications, ocean monitoring and telecommunications.

For its weather mission, COMS’ meteorology imager will perform continuous observations of world scale meteorological phenomena from geostationary orbit, along with the monitoring of specific local weather events such as hurricanes, monsoons and sandstorms.

The COMS satellite’s oceanography duties are to be handled by a multi-band ocean color imager – which will be utilized in particular by the fishing industry to track marine ecosystem changes.

In the telecommunications function, an experimental Ka-band module developed by the South Korean Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute (ETRI) will help validate wide-band multi-media telecommunications services.

The COMS satellite passenger will be separated at just over 32 minutes into the flight.

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Launch Preview:

The 194th Ariane mission will place two communications satellites into geostationary transfer orbit: ASTRA 3B for the Luxembourg-based operator SES ASTRA, and COMSATBw-2 for Astrium as part of a contract with the German Ministry of Defense. This will be the 50th Ariane 5 launch.

The launcher will be carrying a total payload of 9,116 kg, including 7,971 kg for the two satellites, which will be released into their targeted orbits. The launch will take place from Ariane Launch Complex No. 3 (ELA 3) in Kourou, French Guiana.

ASTRA 3B is installed in the upper passenger position of Ariane 5′s dual payload ‘stack’, and will provide direct-to-home broadcast services and two-way broadband relay across Europe and the Middle East.

Produced by EADS Astrium, ASTRA 3B will be located at 23.5 degrees East, ASTRA’s orbital position for delivering Direct-to-Home (DTH) broadcast services.

The satellite will allow SES ASTRA to extend the geographical coverage and the service to customers and offer Direct-to-Home (DTH) TV reception from Spain to the Black Sea. It will also help SES ASTRA to further optimize the spectrum use at 23.5 degrees East.

ASTRA 3B will join ASTRA 3A and enable SES ASTRA to release its satellites ASTRA 1E and ASTRA 1G for other missions. ASTRA 1E and ASTRA 1G are currently positioned at 23.5 degrees East.

ASTRA 3B has a payload power of 10 kW, and can operate at a relay capacity of up to 60 transponders in Ku-band and 4 in Ka-band. It is based on the Eurostar E3000 satellite bus, and is equipped with six mission antennas – four of which are side-mounted and will be deployed in orbit. With a launch mass of 5,470 kilograms, ASTRA 3B has been designed for a nominal lifetime of 15 years.

COMSATBw-2 is a secure relay platform that will deliver key services for the German Bundeswehr (German armed forces), and is a follow-on spacecraft to COMSATBw-1 – which was orbited by Ariane 5 in October 2009.

Together, the COMSATBw satellites will provide a secure broadband network which guarantees uninterrupted communications between the government, military authorities and armed forces deployed around the world.

Based on the Spacebus 3000B2 platform, COMSATBw-2 was designed, integrated and tested by satellite prime contractor Thales Alenia Space on behalf of EADS Astrium – which is the program’s space segment prime contractor.

COMSATBw-2 will ride as the lower passenger, to be deployed after its companion payload – ASTRA 3B, which has been installed atop the Ariane 5 SYLDA dual-payload dispenser system.

Liftoff of the upcoming dual-payload launch marks the start of another busy schedule in which Arianespace has planned a total of seven flights for its heavy-lift workhorse during 2010. In addition, three missions are targeted with the medium-lift Soyuz from its new Spaceport launch facility, and the lightweight Vega vehicle’s maiden flight also could occur before year-end from the Spaceport.

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Launch Preview:

Flight 192 is the 48th Ariane 5 launch and the sixth in 2009. An Ariane 5 ECA (Cryogenic Evolution type A), the most powerful version in the Ariane 5 range, will be used for this flight.

Flight 192 is a commercial mission for Ariane 5. Launcher 550, the 44th production phase Ariane 5, is the twenty-second of the 30 PA contract launchers, for which ASTRIUM is production prime contractor. 550 is consequently the twenty-third complete launcher to be delivered to Arianespace, integrated and checked out under ASTRIUM responsibility in the Launcher Integration Building (BIL).

In a dual-payload configuration using the SYLDA 5 “A” (6.4m high) system and a long pattern fairing (total height: 17m), the launcher is carrying the European Direct To Home TV satellites NSS 12 in the upper position and THOR 6 in the lower position.

Ariane 5 ECA is to deliver a payload lift performance of 9,515 kg. during the upcoming mission, which includes a combined total of about 8,700 kg. for the NSS-12 and THOR 6 spacecraft, plus the launch vehicle’s dual-passenger dispenser system and satellite integration hardware.

The state-of-the-art NSS-12 will replace NSS-703 at 57 degrees East and cover virtually the entire Eastern Hemisphere, bringing increased capacity and transmission power to a key orbital location at the crossroads of Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia and Australia.

The spacecraft features 40 C-band transponders and 48 Ku-band transponders with DTH power levels, as well as elaborate beam interconnectivity and C-/Ku-band cross-strapping. NSS-12 is based on SS/L’s space-proven 1300 platform and has been designed to have a minimum expected lifetime of 15 years.

“NSS-12 will be the largest and most powerful satellite in the SES WORLD SKIES fleet and an important spacecraft in our strategy going forward,” noted Rob Bednarek, President and CEO of SES WORLD SKIES.

“The new satellite will allow us to provide seamless continuity and significant incremental capacity at a key orbital location, allowing existing and future customers to introduce new services, expand into new markets and replicate the success of the various video, government and enterprise applications currently transmitted via 57 degrees East.”

NSS-12 will deliver DTH power and performance through four regional Ku-band spot beams over the Middle East and Europe, Central and South Asia and, for the first time, East Africa.

The satellite’s high-capacity, high-power C-band hemispheric beams – one covering Europe, Africa (including Mauritius) and the Middle East, and the other stretching across Asia to Australia – have been augmented by a powerful C-band global beam spanning from the UK to the Far East. The satellite will reach an estimated two-thirds of the world’s population.

“SES currently has three additional spacecraft under construction with Space Systems/Loral, but NSS-12 marks the first SS/L launch for the SES Group,” said Martin Halliwell, President of SES ENGINEERING. “We look forward to another Ariane-5 success as the combined teams of Arianespace, Space Systems/Loral and SES go through the NSS-12 launch count down over the next few weeks.”

Joining NSS-12 is THOR 6, which will strengthen Telenor Satellite Broadcasting’s television broadcast coverage over Central and Eastern Europe, while also providing additional capacity in the Nordic region. It will deliver high-power direct-to-home television services from the 1deg. West orbital position.

Based on Thales Alenia Space’s Spacebus 4000B2 platform, THOR 6 is fitted with 36 Ku-band transponders – 16 of which will serve the Nordic countries, while the 20 other transponders will provide capacity for the growing broadcasting demands within Central and Eastern Europe.

The Ariane 5 mission with NSS-12 and THOR 6 will be the 192nd launch of an Ariane family vehicle. Its flight will follow the October 1 departure of an Ariane 5 that is ready for liftoff with the Amazonas 2 civilian telecommunications satellite for HISPASAT and Germany’s COMSATBw-1 military relay spacecraft for the German Armed Forces.

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