....its initial assembly at the Spaceport in French Guiana, marking a preparation milestone for this dual-payload mission to orbit a pair of satellites for Asia-Pacific: Japan’s JCSAT-13 and VINASAT-2 for Vietnam. During activity in the Spaceport’s Launcher Integration Building, the Ariane 5 ECA vehicle took shape with the mating of its two solid rocket boosters and core cryogenic stage, followed by the initial top-off with the upper composite—consisting of the ESC-A cryogenic upper stage and vehicle equipment bay. Both passengers on this flight are to be orbited for repeat Arianespace customers in the dynamic Asia-Pacific region.

JCSAT-13 will be the latest in a series of satellites lofted by Arianespace for SKY Perfect JSAT Corporation, the broadcasting and communications services provider that started in 2008 through the merger of JSAT Corporation, SKY Perfect Communications, Inc., and Space Communications Corporation.

VINASAT-2 is the second telecommunications platform entrusted to Arianespace for the Vietnam Posts and Telecommunications Group (VNPT), and comes four years after Arianespace launched VINASAT-1 as Vietnam’s first communications satellite, which was carried by an Ariane 5 in April 2008.

The Ariane 5 ECA launcher for Flight VA206 takes shape at the Spaceport in this photo series, showing the cryogenic core stage’s erection (at left), and installation of its upper composite consisting of the ESC-A cryogenic upper stage and vehicle equipment bay (center, and right). Photo is courtesy of Arianespace.

The mission with VINASAT-2 and JCSAT-13 is targeted for mid-May, and uses the VA206 flight designation, signifying the 206th launch of an Ariane family vehicle. It will follow Arianespace’s upcoming launch of the no. 3 Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV) for Europe on a servicing mission to the International Space Station, using the workhorse launcher’s Ariane 5 ES version.  This ATV, which is named after Italian physicist Edoardo Amaldi, is mated to its Ariane 5 in the Spaceport’s Final Assembly Building, where the loading of last-minute cargo has been completed. Liftoff of Ariane Flight VA205 with the ATV payload is set for the morning of March 9 from the Spaceport’s ELA 3 launch complex. Arianespace company information link.