February 23, 2006
Ariane 5 is back in the launch zone with its SPAINSAT and HOT BIRDTM 7A payloads
Built by Alcatel Alenia Space, HOT BIRD 7A will be the 21st satellite launched by Arianespace for Eutelsat.
The heavy-lift Ariane 5 ECA returned to the launch zone at Europe's Spaceport this morning, clearing the way for tomorrow evening's liftoff with a dual-satellite payload of SPAINSAT and HOT BIRDTM 7A.
Emerging from its Final Assembly Building at 10 a.m. local time in French Guiana, the Ariane 5 covered the 2.8-km. distance to the launch zone in one hour. Its massive mobile launch table was then fixed in position over large flame ducts for the vehicle's two solid rocket motors and the core stage Vulcain cryogenic main engine.
Liftoff of the Ariane 5 was rescheduled after an anomaly in ground support equipment at the Spaceport necessitated an equipment change-out. Launch teams demonstrated their experience with the Ariane 5 system by quickly effectuating the equipment swap and authorizing a resumption of final preparations for liftoff.
The combined payload for this Ariane 5 flight is 8,985 kg. Of this total, 7,778 kg. will be for the SPAINSAT and HOT BIRD 7A satellites, while the remaining mass is represented by the payload interface hardware and Sylda 5 dual-payload dispenser system.
SPAINSAT is the first Spanish satellite dedicated to secure government communications, and it is riding in the upper payload position on Ariane 5. This Space Systems/Loral-built spacecraft will be deployed first in the mission sequence – approximately 27 minutes into the flight.
SPAINSAT will be operated by Hisdesat, a company created in 2001 by Hispasat, INSA, EADS CASA Espacio, Indra and Sener. It carries 13 X-band transponders, plus one Ka-band transponder, and will be positioned at 30 deg. West, placing the satellite over the Atlantic.
The lower passenger in the Ariane 5 ECA's payload "stack" is HOT BIRD 7A, which will released at about 32 minutes after liftoff. Operated by Europe's Eutelsat, its mission will be to relay television and radio broadcasting from an orbital position of 13 deg. East, which places it above Gabon.
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