SatNews been providing you with updates for the upcoming launch on February 12 of Arianespace's first Ariane 5 launch from the Spaceport in French Guiana, which is now complete following the full installation of its multi-satellite payload.

The final assembly step occurred today (February 4) when Ariane 5's upper payload stack component was installed atop the launcher.  This element is composed of the Eutelsat HOT BIRD 10 satellite, which is mounted on Ariane 5's SYLDA dispenser system and encapsulated inside the launch vehicle's protective payload fairing.  

During activity in the upper level of Ariane 5's Final Assembly Building, the HOT BIRD 10/SYLDA/payload fairing combination was positioned over the mission's other main passenger, SES NEW SKIES' NSS-9 satellite, which had been mated yesterday (February 3) to the launcher's cryogenic core stage (see photo to left).

These payloads are to be deployed during a 34-minute mission, with HOT BIRD 10 released first.  It will be followed by the SYLDA dispenser's separation, exposing NSS-9 at the base of Ariane 5's payload stack for its own deployment in the flight sequence. Artist's conceptual image of NSS-9

Two Spirale auxiliary micro-satellites, which are being carried as piggyback passengers, will then be separated to mark the flight's completion. The heavy-lift performance for this year-opening Ariane 5 launch is 8,511 kg., which includes 7,420 kg. for the satellites, along with the associated integration hardware and SYLDA dispenser system.

You can follow Arianespace's launch activity at this site.