Latest Mission updates

Ariane 5 February 6, 2017

Satellites are fueled and ready to go for Arianespace’s first Ariane 5 mission of 2017

The two telecommunications satellites for Arianespace’s next heavy-lift Ariane 5 launch – SKY Brasil-1 and Telkom 3S – have been fueled in preparation for liftoff next week from the Spaceport in French Guiana.

SKY Brasil-1 and Telkom 3S are fueled during separate activity at the Spaceport in French Guiana

Sky Brasil-1 (left) and Telkom 3S (at right) are fueled in the Spaceport’s S5 payload processing facility, clearing the way for their integration on Ariane 5.

This flight will be the initial Ariane 5 mission in 2017 and the second of up to 12 Arianespace launches during the year operated with the company’s launcher family, which also includes the medium-lift Soyuz and lightweight Vega.

Ariane 5’s overall payload lift performance for the upcoming flight – set for February 14 from the Spaceport’s ELA-3 launch zone – is more than 10.4 metric tons. Its two passengers will be deployed into geostationary transfer orbit during a profile lasting just under 40 minutes.

The mission is designated Flight VA235 in Arianespace’s numbering system, signifying the 235th launch of an Ariane family vehicle from the Spaceport since the series of European-built launchers entered service in December 1979.

Payload fairing logos for the mission’s two passengers

Ahead of the satellites’ integration on Ariane 5, the ogive-shaped payload fairing that will protect them during initial climb-out through the atmosphere has been adorned with decals representing the two satellites’ operators and the spacecraft manufacturers.

Affixed on the fairing’s upper position are logos for the SKY Brasil-1 satellite, to be utilized by AT&T/DIRECTV via its DIRECTV Latin America subsidiary to expand direct-to-home high definition programming.  The spacecraft will be separated first during the Flight VA235 sequence, and is to provide coverage over Brazil once operational from its geostationary orbital slot.

SKY Brasil-1 was built by Airbus Defence and Space in Toulouse, France, using the Eurostar E3000 platform.

Flight VA235’s Telkom 3S passenger will be integrated in Ariane 5’s lower payload position for release during the mission’s second deployment phase.  This satellite will provide high-definition television services, as well as mobile communications and internet applications for Telkom Indonesia.  It was built by Thales Alenia Space in Toulouse and Cannes, France using a Spacebus 4000B2 platform.

Up to seven Ariane 5 liftoffs planned during 2017

The Ariane 5 for next week’s launch currently is in the Spaceport’s Final Integration Building, where it is ready for installation of the two satellite passengers.  It was delivered to Arianespace by Airbus Safran Launchers, production prime contractor for the heavy-lift vehicle.

Arianespace’s busy mission manifest for 2017 – to be confirmed based on payload availability – foresees up to seven Ariane 5 launches during the year, joined by three missions utilizing Vega and two with Soyuz.

The year’s activity began on January 27, when a Soyuz lofted Europe’s Hispasat 36W-1 telecommunications satellite on the medium-lift launcher’s first mission from French Guiana to geostationary transfer orbit.

Decals for Telkom 3S and SKY Brasil-1 are installed on the Ariane 5 payload fairing

Decals for the Telkom 3S and SKY Brasil-1 relay satellites are installed on the payload fairing during activity in the Spaceport’s Final Assembly Building for Ariane 5.

  • Larger versions of the photos above are available for downloading in the gallery.
  • More details on Ariane 5 Flight VA235 are available in the launch kit:
Ariane Flight VA235
PDF / 2 MB

DirecTV Latin America website: www.directvla.com/index_en.aspx

Airbus Defence and Space website: https://airbusdefenceandspace.com/

PT Telkom website: www.telkom.co.id/en

Thales Alenia Space website: https://www.thalesgroup.com/en/worldwide/space/space

Airbus Safran Launchers website: www.airbusafran-launchers.com

Ariane 5 January 23, 2017

SKY Brasil-1 and Telkom-3S are readied for Arianespace’s initial Ariane 5 mission in 2017

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SKY Brasil-1 and Telkom-3S undergo checkout for Arianespace Ariane 5 Flight VA235 at the Spaceport in French Guiana