First Of Two Satellites To Be Carried On July Launch

The initial payload for Arianespace's next Ariane 5 dual-payload launch is now in French Guiana following a trans-Atlantic delivery flight as preparations continue for this fourth heavy-lift mission of 2011, which is planned in early July from the Spaceport.

Ariane 5 File Photo

Arriving at Cayenne's Rochambeau International Airport aboard an Antonov An-124 cargo aircraft, ASTRA 1N completed its airlift from the Toulouse, France facilities of EADS Astrium - which designed and manufactured this communications relay platform for satellite operator SES ASTRA.

ASTRA 1N will deliver direct-to-home broadcast services - including digital and high definition television - with pan-European coverage, and it is planned to primarily serve the German, French and Spanish markets. The satellite is based on Astrium's Eurostar E3000 platform, with a liftoff mass of 5,350 kg. and designed mission life of 15 years.

The satellite will be orbited along with its co-passenger, BSAT 3c/JCSAT 110R, on another of Ariane 5's trademark dual-payload missions. It follows Arianespace's latest heavy-lift success on May 20, which lofted the ST-2 and GSAT-8 spacecraft from Europe's Spaceport in French Guiana.

FMI: www.arianespace.com