The review is held prior to each Ariane 5 mission, ensuring that the heavy-lift vehicle and its payload are flight-ready, along with the Spaceport’s infrastructure and the network of downrange tracking stations.

With today’s “green light,” Ariane 5 is now cleared for its March 20 rollout from the Final Assembly Building to the ELA-3 launch zone – where it will be readied for liftoff on Friday during a launch window opening at 7:05 p.m. local time in French Guiana.

The payload lift performance for Arianespace’s latest Ariane 5 mission is more than 9,575 kg., which includes some 8,755 kg. for its two satellite passengers – ASTRA 5B and Amazonas 4A – along with the launcher’s dual-payload dispenser system and satellite integration hardware.

Riding in the Ariane 5 payload “stack’s” upper position is ASTRA 5B, which was built by Airbus Defence and Space for SES, and will operate from a 31.5 deg. East orbital slot. Based on the Eurostar E3000 platform, this spacecraft will be deployed first during the 34-minute flight sequence and is outfitted with 40 Ku-band and 6 Ka-band transponders.

Amazonas 4A is installed in the payload stack’s lower position, and its deployment by Ariane 5 will mark the mission’s completion. The Orbital Sciences Corporation-produced satellite, which is equipped with 24 Ku-band transponders, will be operated by HISPASAT from an orbital position of 61 deg. West.