Ariane 5 carries another dual-satellite payload into orbit!
Arianespace kicked off its 2006 launch activities with Ariane 5 ECA`s successful orbiting of two telecommunications satellites from Europe`s Spaceport in French Guiana tonight.
Spain`s SPAINSAT governmental telecommunications spacecraft and the Eutelsat HOT BIRDTM 7A television broadcast platform were injected into geostationary transfer orbit during a mission that marked another demonstration of Ariane 5`s dual-satellite payload capacity.
The 3,680-kg. SPAINSAT was deployed approximately 27 minutes after Ariane 5`s liftoff from the Spaceport, followed about 5 minutes later by the separation of HOT BIRD 7A, which had a mass of 4,100 kg.
SPAINSAT is the first Spanish satellite dedicated to secure government communications, and will be operated by HISDESAT - a company founded in 2001 by INSA, EADS CASA Espacio, Indra and Sener. It will assume the relay duties handled by the Secomsat military payloads included on Spain`s Hispasat 1A and 1B satellites, which were launched by Arianespace in 1992 and 1993.
"It is important to note that SPAINSAT is the 25th military payload orbited by Ariane," explained Arianespace CEO Jean-Yves Le Gall following the successful launch. "Tonight`s mission once again confirms the role that Arianespace plays in ensuring sovereignty for Europe`s independent access to space."
The SPAINSAT spacecraft was produced by Space Systems/Loral in Palo Alto, California, and carries 13 X-band transponders plus one Ka-band transponder. It will operate from an orbital slot of 30 deg. West, which will place it over the Atlantic.
HOT BIRD 7A was the 21st satellite orbited by Arianespace for Europe`s Eutelsat telecommunications operator. "The privileged relationship of our two companies is particularly exemplary, and we are extremely pleased to confirm it again this evening," Le Gall told invited guests gathered at the Spaceport`s Jupiter control room. "I want to thank [Eutelsat Communications CEO] Giuliano Berretta and all of his shareholders for the confidence they have placed in us."
The HOT BIRD 7A spacecraft will be located at an orbital slot of 13 deg. East - which is Eutelsat`s flagship location for television and radio program broadcasting. Built by Alcatel Alenia Space in Cannes, France, the platform carries 38 Ku-band transponders, and it will renew Eutelsat`s current capacity as well as provide redundancy for the company`s HOT BIRD family of relay spacecraft.
Tonight`s mission marked a milestone in the Ariane 5 program, as the vehicle used for this launch was manufactured under the complete control of industrial prime contractor EADS Space Transportation. "This new industrial arrangement, set up in 2003, reinforces the role of Arianespace as the company with responsiblity for the marketing, management and operation of our family of launchers - which is led by the Ariane 5."
As 2006 starts on a high note with the successful mission today, Le Gall said Arianespace continues to target a total of five to six Ariane 5 flights this year. He also announced that the next Ariane 5 ECA heavy-lift mission is set for mid-May, with a dual payload of Mexico`s SATMEX 6 and Thailand`s THAICOM 5 satellites.
"Once again, Ariane 5 ECA is demonstrating that it is truly the workhorse launch vehicle - not only for Europe, but for satellite telecommunications operators around the world," Le Gall concluded.
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