Launcher And Payload Preparations Continue For First Flight Of 2016

Ariane 5 launcher and payload preparations are in progress in French Guiana for Arianespace's first flight of 2016, which will orbit the initial EpicNG high-throughput satellite for global operator Intelsat.

The heavy-lift vehicle for this upcoming mission - designated Flight VA228 - is now located inside the Spaceport's Final Assembly Building following its transfer by rail from the Launcher Integration Building atop a mobile launch table.

With Ariane 5 now under Arianespace's responsibility, the launcher is in position to receive its Intelsat 29e payload - which will be followed by final verifications and subsequent rollout to the Spaceport's ELA-3 complex for a January 27 liftoff.

Intelsat 29e's own preparations are advancing in parallel activity at the Spaceport's S5 payload processing building. Having already completed its initial check-out process inside this state-of-the-art facility's S5C clean room, the Boeing-built satellite is now being transferred to the S5A fueling and integration hall.

The January 27 liftoff will kick off another busy year of mission activity for Arianespace, which is targeting a 2016 performance of up to 11 flights using its full launcher family - consisting of the heavy-lift Ariane 5, medium-lift Soyuz and lightweight Vega - in side-by-side operation at the Spaceport.

(Image provided with Arianespace news release)

FMI: www.arianespace.com