Ariane 5 launches two satellites
Posted: Thu, Nov 15, 2007, 7:40 AM ET (1240 GMT)
After two technical delays, an Ariane 5 finally launched a pair of communications satellites for the British military and Brazil on Wednesday evening. The Ariane 5 lifted off from the Kourou Space Center in French Guiana at 5:06 pm EST (2206 GMT) and placed the SKynet 5B and Star Once C1 satellites into geosynchronous transfer orbit about a half-hour later. The launch had been scheduled for Friday but was delayed to replace an electronics unit on the rocket; a second attempt Monday was scrubbed because of a problem with ground equipment that suppled the rocket's upper stage with liquid hydrogen. Skynet 5B is a Eurostar 3000 spacecraft built by EADS Astrium for Paradigm, the private venture that is providing communications services for the British Ministry of Defence. The 4,700-kg spacecraft will operate from 56 degrees east. Star One C1 is a Thales Alenia Space Spacebus 3000B3 spacecraft built for Brazilian satellite operator Star One. The 4,100-kg spacecraft will operate from 65 degrees west, providing communications services throughout South America. The launch, the fifth of six Ariane 5 missions planned for this year, also set a record for the heaviest overall mass launched to GEO.
After two technical delays, an Ariane 5 finally launched a pair of communications satellites for the British military and Brazil on Wednesday evening. The Ariane 5 lifted off from the Kourou Space Center in French Guiana at 5:06 pm EST (2206 GMT) and placed the SKynet 5B and Star Once C1 satellites into geosynchronous transfer orbit about a half-hour later. The launch had been scheduled for Friday but was delayed to replace an electronics unit on the rocket; a second attempt Monday was scrubbed because of a problem with ground equipment that suppled the rocket's upper stage with liquid hydrogen. Skynet 5B is a Eurostar 3000 spacecraft built by EADS Astrium for Paradigm, the private venture that is providing communications services for the British Ministry of Defence. The 4,700-kg spacecraft will operate from 56 degrees east. Star One C1 is a Thales Alenia Space Spacebus 3000B3 spacecraft built for Brazilian satellite operator Star One. The 4,100-kg spacecraft will operate from 65 degrees west, providing communications services throughout South America. The launch, the fifth of six Ariane 5 missions planned for this year, also set a record for the heaviest overall mass launched to GEO.
Related Links:
| <<previous article | next article>> |
|
news in brief
|
|
NASA IG cites overconfidence and unrealistic schedules for Starliner woes
Posted: Sat, Jul 4 8:11 PM ET (0011 GMT) |
|
news links
|
|
Saturday, July 11
ESA’s first Chemical Propulsion Lab now operational
ESA — 7:18 am ET (1118 GMT) Democratic Texas AG candidate claims $110m in grants for Elon Musk’s Starlink ‘sure looks’ like corruption
The Guardian — 7:18 am ET (1118 GMT) Aircraft Procurement, Space Launch Could Pay for Unexpected Personnel Costs
Air and Space Forces Magazine — 7:15 am ET (1115 GMT) SpaceX attends Louisiana ‘summit’ as speculation over its plans swirls
New Orleans Advocate — 7:13 am ET (1113 GMT) SpaceX Brands Data Center Satellites As Starmind
Aviation Week — 7:12 am ET (1112 GMT) |
