This procedure, which is performed before every Ariane mission, examines the “go” status of the launcher, its dual payload of the Intelsat 20 and HYLAS 2 satellites, the Spaceport’s infrastructure and the ground tracking system network.

With today’s successful review, the Ariane 5 is now cleared for its rollout tomorrow from the Spaceport’s Final Assembly Building to the ELA-3 launch zone, where it will be readied for a Thursday evening liftoff.

The Ariane 5 is to deliver a total lift performance of approximately 10,180 kg. – which includes the HYLAS 2 and Intelsat 20 satellites, along with hardware for the launcher’s dual-payload deployment system.

Intelsat 20 was built for international satellite operator Intelsat by Space Systems/Loral of Palo Alto, California. With an estimated liftoff mass of 6,090 kg., this relay platform will replace the Intelsat 7 and Intelsat 10 spacecraft in orbit, and is to provide video, telephone and data transmission services in the Ku-, C-, and Ka-bands for Europe, Africa, Russia, Asia and the Middle East.

Weighing some 3,300 kg. at liftoff, the HYLAS 2 spacecraft was produced by Orbital Sciences Corporation of Dulles, Virginia for European satellite operator Avanti Communications.  The satellite is equipped with 24 Ka-band transponders and will provide data capacity to telecommunications, enterprise and government customers in Europe, the Middle East and portions of Africa.

The launch of HYLAS 2 and Intelsat 20 follows Arianespace’s three successful Ariane 5 missions so far this year. In March, its heavy-lift workhorse delivered Europe’s third Automated Transfer Vehicle for the International Space Station, and May’s mission lofted the JCSAT-13 and VINASAT-2 spacecraft. Earlier this month, the EchoStar XVII telecommunications and MSG-3 meteorological satellites were orbited by Ariane 5.