First Ariane 5 Heavy Lift Rocket Launch For 2010 Planned For March 24

Arianespace is laying the groundwork for another busy year with its workhorse Ariane 5, as the first mission of 2010 moves into its second phase of preparations and the follow-on flight's launch vehicle is delivered to French Guiana.

Ariane 5 Booster Delivery

The heavy-lift Ariane 5 ECA for Arianespace's kick-off mission of 2010 was transferred from the Spaceport's Launcher Integration Building to the Final Assembly Building this morning, readying it to receive a dual-satellite payload.

This flight is scheduled for March 24, carrying the ASTRA 3B telecommunications satellite for SES ASTRA, and the German COMSATBw-2 secure military relay platform.

As preparations move forward for the launch, the next flight's Ariane 5 has arrived in French Guiana aboard the MN Toucan roll-on roll-off transport ship. After the MN Toucan docked at Pariacabo port on February 2, the launcher elements were transported to the Spaceport, where this vehicle will soon be taking shape in the Launcher Integration Building.

FMI: www.arianespace.com