Thu, Mar 20, 2014
Payload Will Be Integrated On Its Ariane 5 Launcher
The ASTRA 5B satellite, one of two passengers for Arianespace’s next Ariane 5 mission, has been delivered to the Spaceport’s Final Assembly Building – marking a step in payload integration.
ASTRA 5B – built by Airbus Defense and Space for global satellite operator SES – was transported this week from the Spaceport’s S5 payload preparation facility, where the spacecraft underwent pre-flight checkout and received its onboard propellant. The transfer took place at night in order to reduce thermal loads on the satellite.
After its deployment by Ariane 5, ASTRA 5B will extend SES’ transponder capacity and geographical reach over Eastern Europe and neighboring markets, delivering direct-to-home, direct-to-cable and contribution feeds to digital terrestrial television networks. The spacecraft also carries a hosted L-band payload for the European Commission’s European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service (EGNOS).
ASTRA 5B will be joined on the flight by HISPASAT’s Amazonas 4A satellite – which will provide enhanced relay capacity over Latin America and an extended range of communications and television services. Amazonas 4A was produced by Orbital Sciences Corporation.
The upcoming Ariane 5 mission – designated VA216 in Arianespace’s numbering system – is set for March 21 from the Spaceport, with liftoff scheduled during a launch window opening at 7:05 p.m. local time in French Guiana.
(File image provided by Arianespace. Ariane 5 on launch pad)
More News
From 2023 (YouTube Version): Legacy of a Titan Robert (Bob) Anderson Hoover was a fighter pilot, test pilot, flight instructor, and air show superstar. More so, Bob Hoover was an i>[...]
Get The Latest in Aviation News NOW on Instagram Are you on Instagram yet? It's been around for a few years, quietly picking up traction mostly thanks to everybody's new obsession >[...]
Aero Linx: B-52H Stratofortress The B-52H Stratofortress is a long-range, heavy bomber that can perform a variety of missions. The bomber is capable of flying at high subsonic spee>[...]
Altimeter Setting The barometric pressure reading used to adjust a pressure altimeter for variations in existing atmospheric pressure or to the standard altimeter setting (29.92).>[...]
"Knowing that we play an active part in bettering people's lives is extremely rewarding. My team and I are very thankful for the opportunity to be here and to help in any way we ca>[...]