 |
| An Ariane 5G launcher
lifts off from Europe's Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana, on
Saturday, December 18, successfully injecting Helios IIA into
Sun-synchronous orbit
(Arianespace photo) |
Kourou, French Guiana, Dec. 20/Satnews Daily/
¾ Arianespace successfully
launched Saturday the Helios IIA observation satellite for the French,
Belgian and Spanish ministries of defense.
Following a flight lasting 60 minutes and 8 seconds, the Ariane 5 launch
vehicle accurately injected Helios IIA into Sun-synchronous polar orbit.
The mission also deployed six auxiliary payloads: four Essaim
micro-satellites and two other small spacecraft, Parasol and Nanosat.
Helios IIA is the initial satellite in France's second-generation
defense and security spaceborne observation system, being conducted in
conjunction with Belgium and Spain. France's DGA defense procurement
agency (Délégation Générale pour l'Armement), which is part of the
French MoD, is in charge of the program. It has assigned overall
responsibility for the space segment to the French space agency, CNES
(Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales).
Helios IIA weighed approximately 4,200 kg. at launch. It was built by
EADS Astrium as prime contractor, leading a large team of European
subcontractors, including Alcatel Space, in charge of the high
resolution imaging instrument.
Lifting off from the Spaceport in French Guiana at mid-day, the Ariane 5
Generic vehicle followed a northward trajectory to deploy its primary
satellite payload - the Helios 2A military reconnaissance platform - in
Sun-synchronous orbit, along with six auxiliary spacecraft.
In contrast to missions to geostationary orbit that have a long launch
window, Saturday’s northward flight had a precise moment for the
ignition of its main cryogenic engine: 1:26 p.m., local Kourou time. The
Ariane 5 was ready - and it lifted off right on time, under sunny French
Guiana skies.
Ariane 5 released the Helios 2A
spacecraft one hour after liftoff, which was followed by the
rapid-sequence deployment of Flight 165's six auxiliary payloads from a
ring-shaped dispenser plate called ASAP (the acronym for: Ariane
Structure for Auxiliary Passengers).
The deployment process started with Nanosat, a micro-satellite developed
and built by the national aeronautical technology institute of Spain,
INTA. It was followed rapidly by the simultaneous release of two Essaim
electronic intelligence (ELINT) system demonstrator small-sats for the
French DGA. The other two Essaim satellites then were separated. The
sequence was completed when Parasol - a small satellite from CNES for
the study of the Earth's climate - was released from Ariane 5.
The flight marked the 16th successful mission for Ariane 5.
Recent Stories:
Dec. 18 Liftoff
Approved for Helios IIA
Helios IIA New Launch
Date is set for December 18
Arianespace Postpones
Helios IIA Dec. 10 Launch
Arianespace in Final
Preparations for Helios IIA Launch; Integrates Six Auxiliary Payloads
for Flight 165 |
