Mission Update
Initial build-up of the fourth Ariane 5 for 2009 is complete
June 22, 2009
The fourth heavy-lift Ariane 5 ECA for launch in 2009 has completed its initial build-up at the Spaceport as Arianespace remains on track for performing a total of seven flights targeted this year with the workhorse vehicle.
Industrial prime contractor EADS Astrium achieved the assembly milestone inside the Spaceport’s Launcher Integration Building when it topped off the vehicle with Ariane 5’s upper composite – which consists of the ESC-A cryogenic upper stage and equipment bay.
Using a streamlined build-up process for Ariane 5, the ESC-A cryogenic upper stage and equipment bay are installed as a single unit – having been integrated and checked out in Europe by EADS Astrium, then shipped to the Spaceport. In the prior procedure, Ariane 5's upper stage and vehicle equipment bay were installed on the launcher in two steps at the Spaceport, which required additional time and validation procedures.
Additional systems integration and check-out are now underway with the Ariane 5 to ready it for transfer to the Spaceport’s Final Integration Building. This step will mark Astrium’s delivery of the Ariane 5 ECA to Arianespace, which takes over for the installation of the mission’s dual-satellite payload and the launch operations.
The third Ariane 5 for launch in 2009 currently is in the Final Integration Building, where the vehicle will soon be fitted with its TerreStar-1 very large satellite payload. Rollout of this vehicle is scheduled for June 30, opening the building to receive the no. 4 Ariane 5 as Arianespace keeps up the mission pace to meet its customers’ launch timing requirements.
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