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.