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Arianespace Begins Payload Integration For First Ariane 5 Of 2009
Kourou, French Guyana (SPX) Jan 30, 2009 Final integration has begun for the multi-satellite payload to be carried on Arianespace's first Ariane 5 flight of 2009. These preparations began with the installation of HOT BIRD 10 atop the adapter unit that will serve as its interface with Ariane 5's payload "stack." The activity occurred in the S5B integration hall of the Spaceport's S5 satellite preparation facility. HOT BIRD 10 will ride as the upper payload on Ariane 5, and is to be released first during the February 12 mission. The satellite was built for Europe's Eutelsat telecommunications organization by prime contractor EADS Astrium, and is based on the company's Eurostar E3000 spacecraft bus. After its deployment by Ariane 5, HOT BIRD 10 will be positioned at Eutelsat's "premium video neighborhood" orbital slot of 13 deg. East for cable and satellite broadcasting. It is similar to the 4,880-kg. HOT BIRD 9 satellite, which was orbited by Arianespace's year-ending Ariane 5 mission on December 20. HOT BIRD 10 will be accompanied on the upcoming launch by SES NEW SKIES' NSS-9 relay platform, produced by Orbital Sciences Corporation. NSS-9 is to be positioned as the lower passenger in Ariane 5's payload stack. Once in orbit, it will operate from a 183 deg. East location, and provide communications links for SES NEW SKIES customers that include broadcasters, government users, carriers across the Pacific islands and the maritime industry. Also joining NSS-9 and HOT BIRD 10 on Ariane 5's February 12 flight will be a pair of 120-kg.-class Spirale micro-satellites, which are demonstrators for a French space-based defense optical early warning system. These piggyback payloads were produced by Alcatel Space for Spirale program prime contractor EADS Astrium. Arianespace is planning from six to eight Ariane 5 missions in 2009, keeping up the launch cadence for this workhorse vehicle of the commercial launch services industry. Related Links Arianespace Launch Pad at Space-Travel.com
Arianespace Prepares For First Launch Of 2009
Kourou, French Guiana (SPX) Jan 28, 2009Arianespace's initial Ariane 5 mission of 2009 has taken another major step closer to its February 12 liftoff with the launch vehicle's transfer to the Final Assembly Building at Europe's Spaceport. |
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