Ariane 5's
on-target launch with Skynet 5C and
Turksat 3A tonight marked numerous key
milestones for this workhorse
Arianespace vehicle.
The flight was Ariane 5's 25th
consecutive commercial success,
confirming its role as the commercial
launcher of reference for satellite
operators and manufacturers worldwide.
In addition, Skynet 5C was the 30th
military payload orbited by Arianespace,
while Turksat 3A represented the 53rd
Thales Alenia Space-built satellite
lofted by an Ariane.
During tonight’s
mission, a tracking camera followed the
launcher’s initial climb-out and ascent
during the live video broadcast on
www.arianespace.com, providing
remarkable views of the two solid rocket
boosters’ separation two minutes into
the mission, followed by the jettisoning
of Ariane 5’s protective payload fairing
approximately 1 minute later.
Ariane 5 deployed
Skynet 5C first, releasing the
spacecraft approximately 27 minutes
after liftoff. This 4,640-kg. satellite
was built by EADS Astrium using the
Eurostar 3000 platform, and it will be
positioned at 17.8 degrees West.
Skynet 5C was the third satellite
launched by Arianespace for U.K.-based
Paradigm, following the Skynet 5A and 5B
payloads orbited in March and November
of 2007. The Skynet 5-series platforms
deliver resilient, survivable and secure
communications for military and
government users, carrying hardened
Ultra High and Super High Frequency
(UHF/SHF) payloads that operate with
multiple, steerable spot beams.
Turksat 3A was
deployed from the Ariane 5 at about 32
minutes into tonight's mission. It will
be utilized by Ankara-based Turksat to
provide telecommunication services and
direct TV broadcasting for Turkey,
Europe, the Middle East, North Africa
and Central Asia. The 3,110 kg. payload
is based on Thales Alenia Space's
Spacebus 4000B2 spacecraft design, and
carries 24 Ku-band transponders. Turksat
3A's operational orbital slot is 42 deg.
East.
This successful Ariane 5 mission was the
third of seven flights planned in 2008
by Arianespace -- the most active year
since the launcher's commercial
introduction in 1999. Arianespace's
initial flight of 2008 was conducted on
March 9, when an Ariane 5 ES launcher
version orbited the first Automated
Transfer Vehicle for servicing of the
International Space Station. It was
followed by an Ariane 5 ECA heavy-lift
flight on April 18 that carried Star One
C2 and VINASAT-1.
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