The Ariane 5 for Arianespace’s upcoming heavy-lift mission with Arabsat-5C and SES-2 moves away from the Spaceport’s Launcher Integration Building (at left) on its way to the Final Assembly Building. Photo: Arianespace
EVRY (BNS): Arianespace is all set to launch the Arabsat-5C and SES-2 telecommunications satellites on September 9 from the Spaceport in French Guiana.
With the lauch, Arianespace will complete its fifth heavy-lift mission of 2011.
According to Arianespace, the Ariane 5 ECA was handover to it on Wednesday from the Spaceport’s Launcher Integration Building – where it was assembled by prime contractor EADS Astrium.
Ariane 5 will launch two payloads; Arabsat-5C will have an estimated launch mass of 4,630 kg, while SES-2 will weigh in at approximately 3,152 kg. for liftoff.
Built in a joint effort of Europe’s EADS Astrium and Thales Alenia Space, Arabsat-5C is a fifth-generation satellite for the Arab Satellite Communications Organization (Arabsat).
This multi-mission platform is designed to provide capacity in both the C- and Ka-bands for a range of communications services from Arabsat’s 20 deg. East orbital position.
SES-2 was produced by the US-based Orbital Sciences Corporation 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.
The Indian Air Force, in its flight trials evaluation report submitted before the Defence Ministry l..
view articleAn insight into the Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft competition...
view articleSky enthusiasts can now spot the International Space Station (ISS) commanded by Indian-American astr..
view article