Arianespace has now set the date for the next Ariane 5 launch — Saturday, December 20, 2008.

An Ariane 5 ECA will loft into orbit the HOT BIRD-9 and W2M satellites, both for the operator, Eutelsat. This is going to be the 42nd launch of an Ariane 5. Integration of the Eutelsat W2M satellite this upcoming launch moved into a new phase on December 8th with the spacecraft’s integration on the cone-shaped adapter system that serves as its interface with the heavy-lift launch vehicle.

This overhead photo shows W2M during its transfer inside the S5 payload preparation facility, as it moves from the S5C large preparation hall to the S5A fueling and integration hall. Such transfers occur in clean room conditions, using internal transfer corridors that are 12 meters high and eight meters wide, and which run the length of the S5 facility. These corridors allow for quick and safe movement of spacecraft as they progress through their various pre-launch preparation phases.

The W2M satellite is transported on a pallet that is easily controlled by a single launch team member during its movement through the S5 facility. W2M was developed by a European-Indian alliance of EADS Astrium and ANTRIX (the commercial arm of the Indian Space Research Organisation), and will have a liftoff mass of 3,460 kg. The spacecraft will be positioned at an

W2M is lowered onto the interface adapter in the S5A integration hall. The satellite’s broadcast coverage area will be across Europe, and it also carries a steerable beam that can be re-oriented according to market requirements. This spacecraft will be launched by Ariane 5 together with another Eutelsat satellite, HOT BIRD-9, which will relay digital and new HD TV channels, as well as interactive services.