Thaicom 4 Weighs 6.5 Tons!

Ariane Space says an Ariane 5G, a standard version of the launcher, successfully launched into orbit the largest communications satellite ever built, Thaicom 4 (IPstar), weighing 6.5 tons. "With this successful launch, Ariane 5 has set a world record and once again proved its outstanding performance," said Evert Dudok, President of EADS SPACE Transportation. "We can be proud of this success, which is the result of the great efforts made by all EADS-ST teams and industry partners," said Hugues Laporte-Weywada, Director of Launchers at EADS SPACE Transportation.

Ariane 5's solid-propellant boosters (EAPs) are manufactured and integrated by EADS SPACE Transportation at the launch site in French Guiana. The EAPs are ignited seven seconds after the main cryogenic stage (EPC) Vulcain engine and burn for about 130 seconds, delivering the main thrust at lift-off of up to 540 tons. EADS SPACE Transportation's Les Mureaux facility near Paris produces and integrates the EPCs.

After jettison of the EAPs at an altitude of about 65 kilometers, the launcher's sole propulsion for a flight phase of 600 seconds is delivered by the Vulcain engine, providing a thrust of about 110 tons, the essential part of the impulse needed for insertion into orbit.

The thrust chamber of the Vulcain engine was developed by EADS SPACE Transportation in Ottobrunn near Munich, and the necessary engine tests are also carried out in Germany, at Lampoldshausen near Heilbronn.

FMI: www.arianespace.com