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Feature story

Ariane 5 takes center stage in the National Geographic Channel’s World’s Toughest Fixes television program

February 3, 2009

It’s “lights, camera…action” at the Spaceport this week as Ariane 5 stars in a National Geographic Channel television program spotlighting the launcher’s vital role in supporting global communications systems at the service of Arianespace’s international customer base.

A five-member crew from the World’s Toughest Fixes has been filming the preparations for Arianespace’s next heavy-lift mission, which will use an Ariane 5 ECA to launch the HOT BIRD™ 10 and NSS-9 satellites on February 12.

The National Geographic team includes program host Sean Riley, two producers, a camera operator and sound technician.  This crew has been documenting the flight’s final integration activity, which includes readying the satellites inside the Spaceport’s S5 spacecraft preparation facility, and building up the payload “stack” in the launcher’s Final Assembly Building. 

Ariane 5’s two primary passengers represent the diversity of payloads regularly orbited by the workhorse launcher – with both relay satellites on the mission to be lofted for two long-time Arianespace customers.

HOT BIRD 10 is a European-built EADS Astrium satellite with a liftoff mass of approximately 4,880 kg., and will be used by France’s Eutelsat telecommunications for cable and satellite broadcasting duties.   The 2,230-kg. NSS-9 spacecraft was built by Orbital Satellite Services of the U.S., and is to be operated by SES NEW SKIES – the Netherlands-based company of Luxembourg’s SES – for customers that range from broadcasters and government users to the maritime industry and carriers across the Pacific islands.

National Geographic’s filming will continue through the February 12 evening liftoff and Ariane 5’s deployment of HOT BIRD 10 and NSS-9 into geostationary transfer orbit. Ariane 5’s sustained mission pace also has enabled the World’s Toughest Fixes crew to follow the initial preparatory steps for Arianespace’s subsequent dual-payload flight, which is planned for April.

Ariane 5 was chosen for the World’s Toughest Fixes because of its leadership position in the commercial launch services marketplace, and the vehicle’s ability to orbit two payloads on a single flight – providing flexibility for Arianespace customers’ mission timing, which often is critical in the expansion or replenishment of their orbital telecommunications networks.