Final integration has been initiated for the multi-satellite payload to be carried on Arianespace's first Ariane 5 flight of 2009.

These preparations began with the installation of HOT BIRD-10 atop the adapter unit that will serve as its interface with Ariane 5's payload "stack." The activity occurred in the S5B integration hall of the Spaceport's S5 satellite preparation facility. HOT BIRD-10 will ride as the upper payload on Ariane 5, and is to be released first during the February 12th mission. The satellite was built for Europe's Eutelsat telecommunications organization by prime contractor EADS Astrium and is based on the company's Eurostar E3000 spacecraft bus.  

After the satellite's deployment by Ariane 5, HOT BIRD-10 will be positioned at Eutelsat's "premium video neighborhood" orbital slot of 13 degrees East for cable and satellite broadcasting. HOT BIRD-10 is similar to the 4,880-kg. HOT BIRD-9 satellite, which was orbited by Arianespace's year-ending Ariane 5 mission on December 20th. HOT BIRD-10 will be accompanied on the upcoming launch by SES NEW SKIES' NSS-9 relay platform, produced by Orbital Sciences Corporation. NSS-9 is to be positioned as the lower passenger in Ariane 5's payload stack. Once in orbit, the satellite will operate from a 183 degrees East location and provide communications links for SES NEW SKIES customers that include broadcasters, government users, carriers across the Pacific islands and the maritime industry. Also joining NSS-9 and HOT BIRD-10 on Ariane 5's February 12th flight will be a pair of 120-kg.-class Spirale micro-satellites, which are demonstrators for a French space-based defense optical early warning system. These piggyback payloads were produced by Alcatel Space for Spirale program prime contractor EADS Astrium. Arianespace is planning from six to eight Ariane 5 missions in 2009.