»

[blobrana]

Arianespace third heavy-lift mission of 2006 has entered its final countdown as preparations continue on schedule for this evening's liftoff with the JCSAT-10 and Syracuse 3B satellites.

Image (105kb, 800 x 538)

Fuelling of the Ariane 5 ECA's cryogenic main stage with liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen began during mid-day at the Spaceport's ELA-3 launch zone as part of the final pre-launch sequence.
Today's mission highlights Arianespace's ability to team up passengers of varied utilisations on efficient dual-passenger launches: the 3,750-kg. Syracuse 3B is a secure military relay platform, while the 4,050-kg. JCSAT-10 is a commercial telecommunications that weighs in at approximately 4,050 kg. satellite.
Ariane 5 is scheduled for lift-off at the start of a 37-minute launch window that opens at 7:15 p.m. (local time in French Guiana). JCSAT-10 is installed in the upper payload position on the launcher, and its release will occur 27 min. into the mission, followed approximately five minutes later by the separation of Syracuse 3B from the lower passenger slot.

Launch window:
GMT: Between 10:15pm and 11:52pm on August 11, 2006.
PARIS: Between 00:15am and 01:52am on August 12, 2006.
WASHINGTON: Between 06:15pm and 07:52pm on August 11, 2006.
KOUROU: Between 07:15pm and 08:52pm on August 11, 2006.
TOKYO: Between 07:15am and 08:52am on August 12, 2006.



Live webcast

[Tigger]

Good Luck Arianne.
-Tig

[blobrana]

Arianespace provided another demonstration of Ariane 5's mission capability and flexibility with tonight's launch of a mixed commercial/military satellite payload in the vehicle's third flight of 2006.
After an on-time lift-off at 7:15 p.m. from Europe's Spaceport in French Guiana, the heavy-lift Ariane 5 delivered Japan's JCSAT-10 telecommunications spacecraft and the European Syracuse 3B secure military relay platform into geostationary transfer orbit.



Tonight's flight was Ariane 5's 28th mission and marked its 14th consecutive success – underscoring the launcher's maturity. JCSAT-10 was installed in the upper payload position on Ariane 5, and was released approximately 27 min. into the mission. This was followed some 5 minutes later by the separation of Syracuse 3B, which occupied the lower slot in the payload "stack."

"Tonight's success is particularly exemplary, and perfectly illustrates why we have launched a total of 237 satellites during the past 26 years – which, by far, is a world record" - Arianespace Chief Executive Officer Jean-Yves Le Gall in post-launch comments at the Spaceport's Jupiter control centre.

Image (37kb, 560 x 414)
Image (32kb, 560 x 414)