Mission Update

Mission Update

Final countdown underway for Arianespace’s Ariane 5 launch with Intelsat 20 and HYLAS 2





August 2, 2012 – Ariane Flight VA208

Arianespace has begun the final countdown for this evening’s Ariane 5 flight from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana, which is to orbit the Intelsat 20 and HYLAS 2 communications satellites.

Liftoff is scheduled during a 57-minute launch window that opens at 5:54 p.m. local time in French Guiana, with Intelsat 20 being released 28 minutes into the flight and HYLAS 2 deployed 34 minutes after Ariane 5’s launch.

Intelsat 20 was built for international satellite operator Intelsat by Space Systems/Loral of Palo Alto, California based on its 1300-series platform. This spacecraft is outfitted with Ku-band, C-band and Ka-band transponders and is to provide video, telephone and data transmission for Europe, Africa, Russia, Asia and the Middle East.

The HYLAS 2 spacecraft was produced by Orbital Sciences Corporation of Dulles, Virginia using the Star 2.4E platform for European satellite operator Avanti Communications. Equipped with Ka-band transponders, this spacecraft will provide data capacity for telecommunications, enterprise and government customers in Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

Tonight’s mission will be the 64th Ariane 5 launch overall and fourth flight for Arianespace’s heavy-lift workhorse in 2012.


Launch window for Ariane Flight VA208

Universal time (GMT)

Paris,
France

Kourou,
French Guiana

Washington, D.C.,
USA

Tokyo,
Japan

Between 8:54 p.m.
and 9:51 p.m.
on August 2, 2012

Between 10:54 p.m.
and 11:51 p.m.
on August 2, 2012

Between 5:54 p.m.
and 6:51 p.m.
on August 2, 2012

Between 4:54 p.m.
and 5:51 p.m.
on August 2, 2012

Between 5:54 a.m.
and 6:51 a.m.
on August 3, 2012


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