Mission Update
Arianespace’s sixth Ariane 5 of 2008 completes its assembly at the Spaceport in French Guiana
December 15, 2008
Ariane 5’s payload fairing with the HOT BIRD 9 satellite is lowered into position over W2M, which is installed atop the launch vehicle. |
The final checkout of Arianespace’s sixth Ariane 5 for launch in 2008 is now underway following the completion of payload integration for its two Eutelsat satellite passengers.
This mission’s upper spacecraft – HOT BIRD™ 9 – was positioned atop Ariane 5 last Friday, forming the dual payload “stack.” HOT BIRD 9 is encapsulated in the Ariane 5’s protective payload fairing, and has been mounted atop a SYLDA payload dispenser system. Positioned below HOT BIRD 9 is the W2M spacecraft, which was integrated December 11 on Ariane 5’s core cryogenic stage.
Liftoff for Arianespace’s year-ending mission is scheduled December 20 at the start of a 59-minute launch window that opens at 6:51 p.m. local time in French Guiana.
Ariane 5’s payload lift performance on the upcoming flight is 9,220 kg. – which includes the satellite’s combined 8,340 kg. mass, along with the accompanying integration hardware and the SYLDA dispenser system.
After its deployment by Ariane 5, HOT BIRD 9 will provide the relay of digital and new high-definition TV channels, along with interactive services. The satellite is to be placed at Eutelsat’s premium video neighborhood orbital slot of 13 deg. East.
W2M will be positioned at an orbital slot of 16 deg. East, providing television and radio broadcasting services for Eutelsat.
- Arianespace’s official launch kit has more details on the December 20 mission.
Launch Window |
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UTC |
Paris, France |
Kourou, French Guiana |
Washington, D.C., USA |
From 9:51 p.m. |
From 10:51 p.m. |
From 6:51 p.m. |
From 4:51 p.m. |
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