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Feature story

Mission flexibility in action: Arianespace schedules its next launch for late November with HOTBIRD™ 9 and W2M

October 6, 2008

Arianespace’s flexibility in responding to mission changes because of satellite availability is being demonstrated once again – with its upcoming Ariane 5 heavy-lift launch now rescheduled for late November, carrying two Eutelsat telecommunications satellites.

This flight had been set for the end of October, but was shifted after one of the mission’s payloads was moved off Arianespace’s manifest by the customer.  The rescheduled launch will carry HOTBIRD™9 and W2M, and will be the sixth – and final – mission of calendar year 2008.

“We can respond quickly because of our significant experience in pairing up satellites for dual-payload missions, and our willingness to adapt to changes when they occur,” explained Philippe Berterottiere, Arianespace’s Senior Vice-President of Sales, Marketing and Customer Programs.  “Elements such as updating a flight’s detailed sequence planning are handled rapidly by our teams when payload changes do occur, which is further reinforced by the Ariane 5 launch system’s inherent planning flexibility.”

Berterottiere said Arianespace is targeting as many as eight Ariane 5 missions in 2009, continuing the sustained launch rate already demonstrated by its nine fights performed in a 12-month period from August 2007 to August 2008.  

“While there is much debate within our industry today about capacity, I believe that the term ‘capacity’ not only refers to launch rate, but also to the capability of adapting to changing situations,” he added.  “At Arianespace, we have the best of both worlds: an unparalleled mission cadence with the industry’s workhorse heavy-lift launcher, and an unmatched reactivity to an evolving mission manifest.  This sets us apart from other launch service providers.”

The Ariane 5 ECA for Arianespace’s November fight has completed its initial build-up in the Launcher Assembly Building at Europe’s Spaceport.  Preparations are underway for its upcoming transfer to the Final Assembly Building, where the vehicle will be delivered to Arianespace for integration of the dual-satellite payload.

For additional information on Arianespace’s rescheduled late November mission:

• See the Arianespace Mission Update.
• See the Arianespace press release.
View the 2008 Feature story archive.