Ariane Flight VA240

with four Galileo satellites

overview

Payload(s)
Galileo SAT 19, Galileo SAT 20, Galileo SAT 21, Galileo SAT 22
Launch vehicle
Ariane 5 ES
Customer(s)
European Commission, European Space Agency (ESA)
Status
Success
Prime contractor(s)
OHB System AG, SSTL
Launch site
Spaceport, French Guiana (Guiana Space Center)
Orbit
Medium-Earth orbit

mission
description

For its 11th launch of the year, and the sixth Ariane 5 liftoff from the Guiana Space Center (CSG) in French Guiana during 2017, Arianespace will orbit four more satellites for the Galileo constellation.

This mission is being performed on behalf of the European Commission under a contract with the European Space Agency (ESA).

For the second time, an Ariane 5 ES version will be used to orbit satellites in Europe’s own satellite navigation system. At the completion of this flight, designated Flight VA240 in Arianespace’s launcher family numbering system, 22 Galileo spacecraft will have been launched by Arianespace.

Arianespace is proud to deploy its entire family of launch vehicles to address Europe’s needs and guarantee its independent access to space.

18:36:07 (Dec. 12)
Universal Time (UTC)
3:36:07 p.m. (Dec. 12)
Kourou, French Guiana
7:36:07 p.m. (Dec. 12)
Paris, France
1:36:07 p.m. (Dec. 12)
Washington, D.C.

countdown
and flight

events
  • Start of final countdown
  • Check of electrical systems
  • Start of filling of EPC with liquid oxygen and hydrogen
  • Chilldown of Vulcain main stage engine
  • show the countdown
  • Liftoff
    00:00
  • show the countdown
  • Separation of the Galileo satellites 19 and 21
  • Separation of the Galileo satellites 20 and 22
  • Upper stage passivation
  • End of the Arianespace mission