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Mission Update

The Ariane 5 mission success with JCSAT-12 and Optus D3 in photos

August 21, 2009

Arianespace maintained its 2009 launch pace with today’s successful Ariane 5 flight that orbited the JCSAT-12 and Optus D3 telecommunications satellites.

This mission’s “photo album” has images covering the heavy-lift vehicle’s rollout yesterday, its final on-pad preparations and this evening’s liftoff from the Spaceport’s ELA-3 launch zone in French Guiana. (Click on the images for a larger version):

Ariane 5 is illuminated by the Sun as the vehicle is readied for yesterday’s transfer from the Final Assembly Building to the launch zone.  Its JCSAT-12 and Optus D3 satellites are encapsulated in a long version of Ariane 5’s payload fairing, which is 17 meters tall.

Riding on one of two launch tables in operation for the heavy-lift vehicle, Ariane 5 approaches the ELA-3 launch pad.  Surrounding the site are four large towers that provide protection against lightning strikes – two of which are visible in the photo. This view details the Ariane 5 on its mobile table at the completion of yesterday’s rollout to the ELA-3 launch zone, which was performed using the Spaceport’s dual-rail infrastructure.  Visible in the foreground is support equipment that provides power and climate control for the launcher and its payloads during transfer.

The two propellant feed arms for Ariane 5’s cryogenic upper stage are in position as the launcher awaits its final countdown.  Retraction of these arms was commanded at 5.5 seconds before the ignition of Ariane 5’s Vulcain 2 cryogenic main engine, clearing the way for liftoff powered by the Vulcain 2 and the vehicle’s two solid propellant boosters.

Ariane 5 clears the tower during another on-time departure for Arianespace’s heavy-lift workhorse.  Both satellite passengers were injected into highly accurate geostationary transfer orbit during the 34-minute flight.  This was the fourth of seven Ariane 5 missions planned in 2009.

• Read the Mission Update for a full report on this successful Ariane 5 mission.
• Additional information on today's launch are available in the press release.
• Arianespace’s official launch kit has more information on this Ariane 5 mission.