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Payload Integration Complete For Arianespace's Fourth Mission Of 2008
Kourou, French Guiana (SPX) Jul 01, 2008 The Ariane 5 ECA for this Friday's heavy-lift mission is now complete following the installation of its upper payload passenger, the ProtoStar I satellite. ProtoStar I, which is encapsulated in the launch vehicle's ogive-shaped protective fairing, was lowered into place over the BADR-6 spacecraft, completing the payload "stack" atop Ariane 5's cryogenic core stage. This integration activity occurred in the upper levels of the Final Assembly Building at Europe's Spaceport, where the Ariane 5 will undergo final checkout before its July 3 rollout to the launch zone. Liftoff is scheduled for July 4 during a launch window that opens at 6:47 p.m. local time in French Guiana. ProtoStar I is based on Space Systems/Loral's 1300 spacecraft bus, and is designed to provide K-band/C-band relay capacity over Asia. It is the first in a fleet of relay platforms that Asian satellite services company ProtoStar plans to deploy for advanced satellite television services and powerful two-way broadband communications access. The spacecraft was designed to meet the needs of both emerging and existing direct-to-home (DTH) operators in Asia, as well as other broadband communication requirements in the region. Arabsat's BADR-6 satellite was built jointly by EADS Astrium and Alcatel Alenia Space, and will be operated by the Saudi Arabia-based Arabsat. This Ku/C-band relay platform will open up new video broadcasting and telecom services for the entire Middle East and North Africa region, along with a large part of sub-Saharan Africa. The satellite is designed for a lifetime of about 15 years, and is to operate from Arabsat's 26 deg. E geostationary orbital location. Friday's launch with BADR-6 and ProtoStar I will be Arianespace's fourth of seven Ariane 5 missions in 2008 - making this the busiest year of activity for the workhorse launcher since its 1999 commercial service introduction. Community Email This Article Comment On This Article Share This Article With Planet Earth
Related Links Arianespace Launch Pad at Space-Travel.com
CU-Boulder Students Set To Launch Student Rocket Payloads June 27
Boulder CO (SPX) Jun 26, 2008A NASA sounding rocket launching from Virginia on June 27 will carry one University of Colorado at Boulder student payload to measure greenhouse gases and 19 other payloads developed by teams from around the nation from kits produced by CU-Boulder students. |
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