Ariane Plans A Total Of Seven Mission In 2010

The Ariane 5 for Arianespace's second dual-payload flight of 2010 has begun its assembly as the Spaceport in French Guiana is once again the center of activity for two parallel missions.

This latest Ariane 5 began taking shape earlier in the week as its cryogenic core stage was positioned over a mobile launch table in the Spaceport's Launcher Integration Building. It was then joined by the vehicle's two solid boosters for mating.

The second mission of 2010 will utilize a heavy-lift Ariane 5 ECA version of Arianespace's workhorse launcher, and will carry two telecommunications satellites.

As the launch campaign begins for this flight, another Ariane 5 ECA is in the Spaceport's Final Assembly Building, where it is awaiting the integration of its two satellite passengers: ASTRA 3B & COMSATBw-2. The liftoff of this year-opening Arianespace launch is set for March 24.

Arianespace is targeting a total of seven Ariane 5 missions during 2010 while preparations also continue for the upcoming introductions of the medium-lift Soyuz and lightweight Vega launcher in side-by-side operations at the Spaceport.

FMI: www.arianespace.com