Dual-Payload Mission Orbits ASTRA 3B And COMSATBw-2

The 50th Ariane 5 launch vehicle to be boosted into space has delivered another dual-satellite payload into orbit.

Lifting off Monday from the Spaceport in French Guiana, this Ariane 5 ECA version successfully orbited the ASTRA 3B commercial telecommunications satellite for Luxembourg-based SES ASTRA, along with the COMSATBw-2 secure military relay spacecraft for Astrium GmbH on behalf of the German Bundeswehr (armed forces).

With Monday's mission, Arianespace's workhorse heavy-lift launch vehicle has lofted payloads weighing a combined total of more than 661 thousand pounds since its maiden liftoff in 1996.

During the past 50 flights, Ariane 5s have carried commercial telecommunications satellites; military relay, reconnaissance and early warning spacecraft; Earth observation platforms and meteorological satellites; scientific space probes, experimental and developmental payloads, and the first Automated Transfer Vehicle for servicing of the International Space Station.

"And this success will continue: after today's flight Arianespace's order book still has 34 geostationary orbit satellites to launch - which is a new record - along with six missions with the ATV [Automated Transfer Vehicle] and 17 launches for Soyuz," said Arianespace Chairman & CEO Jean-Yves Le Gall in post-launch comments at the Spaceport's mission control center. "Since the start of 2010, Arianespace already has signed seven new contracts, with several others now in advanced negotiations."

ASTRA 3B was released first into geostationary transfer orbit, being separated from the upper passenger position of Ariane 5's dual payload "stack" at approximately 27 minutes into the flight. The satellite was produced for SES ASTRA by EADS Astrium, and it had an estimated liftoff mass of about 12,000 pounds.

The COMSATBw-2 lower passenger on Ariane 5 was deployed at approximately 33 min. into the flight. This 2,440-kg. satellite was designed, integrated and tested by Thales Alenia Space on behalf of EADS Astrium - the program's space segment prime contractor - and it was the 34th military satellite orbited by Arianespace.

The launch had been previously postponed, and Le Gall thanked all who contributed to resolving the technical issues that were encountered. "This flight is the 40th Ariane 5 launch since I joined Arianespace, and more than anyone, I fully appreciate what we owe all of you," Le Gall added. "I particularly want to thank you for the work performed during the past several weeks, which enabled us to succeed with this superb launch."

Le Gall announced that Arianespace's next Ariane 5 mission is planned for June, with the ARABSAT-5A and COMS-1 satellites.

FMI: www.arianespace.com