Mission Update
The Ariane 5 for Arianespace's sixth flight of 2009 is ready for assembly
The MN Colibri’s large internal cargo area is evident in this photo, which shows the shipping container with Ariane 5’s cryogenic core stage being readied for unloading.
August 21, 2009
Launcher elements for the sixth mission in 2009 with Arianespace’s workhorse Ariane 5 in 2009 are now at the Spaceport, and are ready for assembly as the newest heavy-lift vehicle.
These components were delivered to South America earlier in the week aboard the MN Colibri, which is one of two sea-going vessels that transport Arianespace launchers from their manufacturers in Europe.
Using the MN Colibri’s roll-on/roll-off configuration, the Ariane 5’s cryogenic core stage and upper stage were driven from the ship at Pariacabo port near the city of Kourou to the Spaceport – where they were positioned in the Launcher Integration Building’s receiving area.
This launcher will be the 192nd Ariane family vehicle assembled at the Spaceport. It is part of a record year for mission activity with the Ariane 5, during which Arianespace is targeting a total of seven launches.
The 190th Ariane family vehicle lifted off from the Spaceport’s ELA-3 launch pad tonight, using a heavy-lift Ariane 5 ECA to orbit the JCSAT-12 and Optus D3 telecommunications satellites. It was Arianespace’s fourth flight with the Ariane 5 in 2009.
Arianespace’s next mission – the 191st flight for a member of the Ariane family – will utilize an Ariane 5 ECA that has completed its build-up in the Launcher Integration Building. This vehicle is now ready for its transfer to the Spaceport’s Final Assembly Building.
- For other details on Arianespace launch activity, read the story on today’s successful Ariane 5 flight with the JCSAT-12 and Optus D3 payloads
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