[Satnews] Arianespace has delivered another Ariane 5 to the launch zone at Europe's Spaceport in French Guiana, positioning this workhorse vehicle for liftoff on November 10 with a pair of telecommunications satellites: Arabsat-6B (BADR-7) and GSAT-15.

Ariane 5 nears completion of its transfer from the Spaceport’s Final Assembly Building – where this heavy-lift vehicle received its Arabsat-6B (BADR-7) and GSAT-15 payloads – to the ELA-3 launch zone.

Photo is courtesy of Arianespace.

The launcher rolled out from the Spaceport's Final Assembly Building for Ariane 5 to the ELA-3 launch zone, where it is scheduled for liftoff during a 43-minute window that opens November 10 at 6:34 p.m. local time in French Guiana. For this 83rd overall flight of an Ariane 5, the payload lift performance is estimated at 9,810 kg—a total that includes the two relay platforms, plus the launcher's dual-passenger dispenser system and satellite integration hardware.

Arabsat-6B will be lofted for Airbus Defence and Space and Thales Alenia Space as part of a turnkey contract with Saudi Arabia-based Arabsat. To be renamed BADR-7 once in orbit, this spacecraft will provide broadcast, broadband and telecommunications services over the Middle East, Africa and Central Asia.

GSAT-15 - which was built by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) - is designed to deliver telecommunications services, as well as dedicated navigation-aid and emergency services, for India.