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Ariane 5's core
cryogenic stage is raised for positioning over the mobile launch
table.
(Arianespace photo) |
KOUROU, French Guiana, Oct. 30, 2006/Satnews
Daily/ — Arianespace has announced that the fifth Ariane 5 to be
operated by the company in 2006 is now taking shape at Europe's
Spaceport in French Guiana for a liftoff in December with a
dual-satellite payload for U.S. operators.
Arianespace said activity began last week as the
heavy-lift vehicle's cryogenic core stage was positioned over the mobile
launch table inside the Spaceport's assembly building. This will be
followed by the mating of Ariane 5's two solid boosters.
As with Arianespace's four previous missions performed since January,
the year-ending Ariane 5 flight will carry two primary satellite
passengers: the WildBlue-1 broadband connectivity spacecraft for
WildBlue, and the AMC-18 multi-mission relay platform for SES Americom.
AMC-18's payload of 24 C-band transponders will distribute cable
television services to the 50 United States, Mexico and the Caribbean.
It will expand SES Americom's fleet of satellites, which provide the
distribution of cable, broadcast television and radio,
telecommunications services, business television and broadband data
throughout the Americas and transoceanic regions. AMC-18 is manufactured
by Lockheed Martin Commercial Satellite Systems and is based on the
company's A2100 spacecraft bus.
The WildBlue-1 satellite will enable WildBlue to expand its satellite
broadband connectivity to homes and small businesses in U.S. communities
where terrestrial broadband access is either limited or unavailable.
This 4.7-metric ton high-power satellite is based on Space
Systems/Loral's 1300 spacecraft bus, and will provide Ka-band spot beam
capacity over the contiguous United States.
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Liftoff of Ariane 5 Delayed by 24 Hours
Arianespace Completes Integration of
Launcher for Oct. 12 Launch |
