LIVE: Ariane 5 ECA launch with HOT BIRD 10 & NSS 9 & SPIRALE - February 12, 2009

[satlaunch]

Maintaining Arianespace’s launch rate: the first Ariane 5 for 2009 arrives at the Spaceport

October 29, 2008

Preparations are starting for another busy year of Arianespace launch activity, with the initial Ariane 5 of 2009 now delivered to the Spaceport in French Guiana.

The heavy-lift Ariane 5 ECA arrived this week aboard the MN Colibri, one of two ocean-going vessels that transport launch vehicles from their European manufacturers to South America.  After docking at the Pariacabo port near Kourou, the Ariane 5’s components were unloaded and transported by road to the Spaceport.

This launcher will be used in the first of up to eight Ariane 5 missions targeted in 2009, continuing the sustained launch rate for Arianespace’s workhorse launcher.

So far in 2008, Ariane 5 has performed five flights, with one additional mission scheduled before year-end.   Arianespace has already demonstrated its capability to accelerate Ariane 5’s launch cadence with the nine fights performed in a 12-month period from August 2007 to August 2008. 

http://www.arianespace.com/news-mission-update/2008/538.asp (with photo)

[satlaunch]

Ariane 5 is readied for Arianespace’s initial mission of 2009

November 6, 2008

The first Ariane 5 for Arianespace’s launch activity next year is taking shape at the Spaceport in French Guiana, joining another heavy-lift launcher that is nearing completion for Arianespace’s final mission of 2008.

The newest vehicle is being assembled in the Spaceport’s Launcher Integration Building, where its cryogenic core stage was erected and positioned over one of two operational launch tables for Ariane 5.  This was followed by the rollout of the first in a pair of solid propellant rocket boosters that are to be mated with the core stage, completing the launcher’s primary propulsion system.  (See photos at right).

While the launcher is undergoing its build-up process, the second heavy-lift Ariane 5 ECA is in the Spaceport’s Final Assembly Building, where it will be equipped with a dual-satellite payload for Europe’s Eutelsat.  The upcoming mission, which is scheduled before year-end, will carry the HOT BIRD™ 9 and W2M telecommunications satellites.  It will be the sixth Ariane 5 flight conducted by Arianespace in 2008.

http://www.arianespace.com/news-mission-update/2008/540.asp (with photo)

[satlaunch]

HOT BIRD™ 10 is delivered for its February liftoff on a multi-payload Ariane 5 mission

January 8, 2009

The HOT BIRD™ 10 satellite for Arianespace’s initial Ariane 5 mission of 2009 was delivered to French Guiana today, arriving aboard a chartered cargo jetliner that completed its transatlantic trip from Europe.

This spacecraft will be orbited as part of a multi-passenger payload on the February 12 flight, which will mark the start of another busy year of operations for Arianespace’s workhorse heavy-lift launch vehicle.

HOT BIRD 10 will be utilized by the Paris-based Eutelsat telecommunications operator, and is to be located at the company’s 13 deg. East orbital location for video broadcast services.

The spacecraft is based on EADS Astrium’s Eurostar 3000 spacecraft bus design, and is identical to the HOT BIRD™ 9 relay platform successfully orbited by Arianespace’s year-ending 2008 mission with Ariane 5 on December 20.

For the upcoming Ariane 5 mission, HOT BIRD 10 will be joined by SES NEWSKIES’ NSS-9 telecommunications satellite and two Spirale auxiliary passengers, which are demonstrators for a French defense spaceborne optical early warning system.

Arianespace is targeting six to eight Ariane 5 missions in 2009, continuing the sustained flight rate for this launcher of choice in the commercial launch services industry.

http://www.arianespace.com/news-mission-update/2009/556.asp (with image)

[satlaunch]

HOT BIRD™ 10 begins its checkout for launch on Ariane 5's first mission of the New Year

January 12, 2009

The Eutelsat HOT BIRD™ 10 satellite has started its pre-launch processing in preparation for this telecom spacecraft’s orbiting on the initial Ariane 5 flight of 2009.

HOT BIRD 10 arrived in French Guiana on January 8, and has now been removed from its protective shipping container in the S5C large preparation hall of the Spaceport’s S5 preparation facility.

The spacecraft will be carried as part of a multi-passenger payload on Arianespace’s February 12 mission.  It is the second Eutelsat satellite slotted on consecutive Ariane 5 flights, following the successful lofting of HOT BIRD™ 9 aboard the heavy-lift vehicle’s year-end launch December 20.

For the upcoming Ariane 5 mission, HOT BIRD 10 will be joined by SES NEWSKIES’ NSS-9 telecommunications satellite, along with two Spirale auxiliary passengers that are demonstrators for a French defense spaceborne optical early warning system.

Arianespace intends to continue its sustained Ariane 5 flight rate during 2009, with six to eight missions planned for the year.

http://www.arianespace.com/news-mission-update/2009/557.asp (with image)

[satlaunch]

Launch of Hot Bird 9, NSS 9, Spirale 1 and Spirale 2 is expected to be around 22:09 UTC according to http://www.cnes-csg.fr/web/CNES-CSG-fr/5422-prochain-vol-.php

[jacqmans]

Ariane 5's two primary payloads are readied for their February 12 liftoff from French Guiana
January 19, 2009

http://www.arianespace.com/news-mission-update/2009/558.asp
 
Preparations for Arianespace’s initial Ariane 5 launch of 2009 are in full swing following the delivery of SES NEW SKIES’ NSS-9 telecommunications satellite to French Guiana and the fueling of the mission’s other passenger – HOT BIRD™ 10 for Eutelsat.

NSS-9 arrived last Friday at Cayenne’s Rochambeau International Airport aboard a chartered Antonov An-124 cargo jetliner, and was transferred by road to the Spaceport.  Once inside the facility’s state-of-the-art S5 payload preparation building, the satellite was removed from its protective shipping container and underwent a fit check with the adapter that will serve as its interface with the Ariane 5.

After NSS-9’s deployment on Arianespace’s February 12 mission, the satellite will be positioned at an orbital location of 183 degrees East for operation by SES NEW SKIES, an SES company. 

Manufactured by Orbital Sciences Corporation of the United States using its Star 2 satellite bus, NSS-9 will have a liftoff mass of 2,230 kg.  It is designed for a minimum service life of 15 years – providing relay services for a wide range of SES NEW SKIES customers that includes broadcasters, government users, carriers across the Pacific islands and the maritime industry.
 
This spacecraft carries 44 active C-band transponders, and features three beams that can interconnect on a transponder-by-transponder basis: a global beam providing full coverage of the Earth visible from 183 degrees East; a West hemi-beam for coverage over Australia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Japan, China, Korea and the Pacific Islands; and an East hemi-beam with coverage and connectivity to the U.S., Hawaii and Polynesia.

Joining NSS-9 on Arianespace’s upcoming Ariane 5 launch will be HOT BIRD 10, which today was loaded with its propellant during fueling operations in the Spaceport’s S5 building.  HOT BIRD 10 will be located at Eutelsat’s premium video neighborhood orbital location of 13 degrees East for cable and satellite broadcasting. 

The HOT BIRD 10 platform is based on EADS Astrium’s Eurostar 3000 spacecraft bus, and is identical to the HOT BIRD™ 9 relay platform successfully orbited by Ariane 5’s year-ending 2008 launch on December 20.

Also to be included with HOT BIRD 10 and NSS-9 on the upcoming Ariane 5 flight are two small Spirale satellites, which are demonstrators for a French defense space-based optical early warning system.  They will be carried as auxiliary passengers in the launch vehicle’s payload “stack.”

Arianespace is targeting six to eight Ariane 5 missions in 2009, continuing its sustained flight rate to meet launch services needs of the company’s growing international customer base.

[jacqmans]

Arianespace takes delivery of the Ariane 5 for its first launch of 2009
January 27, 2009

http://www.arianespace.com/news-mission-update/2009/559.asp

Arianespace’s initial Ariane 5 mission of 2009 has taken another major step closer to its February 12 liftoff with the launch vehicle’s transfer to the Final Assembly Building at Europe’s Spaceport.
 
Yesterday’s rollout brought this heavy-lift Ariane 5 ECA from the Launcher Integration Building (where it underwent integration of its core cryogenic stage, solid propellant boosters, cryogenic upper stage and equipment bay), to the Final Assembly Building for installation of its multi-satellite payload.

With the transfer, the Ariane 5 was formally delivered from industrial prime contractor EADS Astrium Space Transportation to Arianespace, which takes over responsibility for payload integration and the final launch operations.

The February 12 mission will carry a three-element payload, consisting of two primary telecommunications satellites and a pair of auxiliary passengers.  Its primary payloads are SES NEW SKIES’ NSS-9 relay platform, produced by Orbital Sciences Corporation of the United States; and Eutelsat’s HOT BIRD™ 10, which was built by EADS Astrium.

NSS-9 will have a liftoff mass of 2,230 kg. and is to provide relay services for a wide range of SES NEW SKIES customers, including broadcasters, government users, carriers across the Pacific islands and the maritime industry.   This spacecraft carries 44 active C-band transponders, and will be positioned at an orbital slot of 183 degrees East.

HOT BIRD 10 will operate from Eutelsat’s “premium video neighborhood” orbital location of 13 degrees East for cable and satellite broadcasting.  It is similar to the 4,880-kg. HOT BIRD™ 9 satellite orbited by Arianespace’s year-ending 2008 mission on December 20.

Joining HOT BIRD 10 and NSS-9 on the upcoming Ariane 5 launch are two small Spirale satellites, which are demonstrators for a French defense space-based optical early warning system.  These 120-kg.-class micro-satellites were built by Alcatel Space for Spirale program prime contractor EADS Astrium, which also has integration responsibility for the spacecraft.

Arianespace is targeting a total of six to eight Ariane 5 missions in 2009, continuing a sustained flight rate as the company responds to the space lift needs of its international customer base.

[jacqmans]

Arianespace begins final payload integration for its year-opening Ariane 5 mission
January 28, 2009

http://www.arianespace.com/news-mission-update/2009/560.asp

Final integration has begun for the multi-satellite payload to be carried on Arianespace’s first Ariane 5 flight of 2009.

These preparations began with the installation of HOT BIRD™ 10 atop the adapter unit that will serve as its interface with Ariane 5’s payload “stack.”  The activity occurred in the S5B integration hall of the Spaceport’s S5 satellite preparation facility (see photo at right).

HOT BIRD 10 will ride as the upper payload on Ariane 5, and is to be released first during the February 12 mission.  The satellite was built for Europe’s Eutelsat telecommunications organization by prime contractor EADS Astrium, and is based on the company’s Eurostar E3000 spacecraft bus. 

After its deployment by Ariane 5, HOT BIRD 10 will be positioned at Eutelsat’s “premium video neighborhood” orbital slot of 13 deg. East for cable and satellite broadcasting.  It is similar to the 4,880-kg. HOT BIRD™ 9 satellite, which was orbited by Arianespace’s year-ending Ariane 5 mission on December 20.

HOT BIRD 10 will be accompanied on the upcoming launch by SES NEW SKIES’ NSS-9 relay platform, produced by Orbital Sciences Corporation. NSS-9 is to be positioned as the lower passenger in Ariane 5’s payload stack.  Once in orbit, it will operate from a 183 deg. East location, and provide communications links for SES NEW SKIES customers that include broadcasters, government users, carriers across the Pacific islands and the maritime industry.   

Also joining NSS-9 and HOT BIRD 10 on Ariane 5’s February 12 flight will be a pair of 120-kg.-class Spirale micro-satellites, which are demonstrators for a French space-based defense optical early warning system.  These piggyback payloads were produced by Alcatel Space for Spirale program prime contractor EADS Astrium. 

Arianespace is planning from six to eight Ariane 5 missions in 2009, keeping up the launch cadence for this workhorse vehicle of the commercial launch services industry.

[jacqmans]

The multi-passenger payload “stack” for Ariane 5's upcoming mission begins to take shape

http://www.arianespace.com/news-mission-update/2009/562.asp

January 30, 2009

Arianespace today initiated the payload “stack” build-up for its first Ariane 5 mission of 2009, which will orbit two large telecommunications satellites and a pair of auxiliary passengers on February 12 from the Spaceport in French Guiana.


The process was initiated with the installation of Eutelsat’s HOT BIRD™ 10 spacecraft atop the Ariane 5 SYLDA dispenser system.  This activity occurred in the payload integration area of Ariane 5’s final assembly building at the Spaceport, creating the upper component of the payload stack.

As a result, the HOT BIRD 10/SLYDA combination is now ready to be positioned over the Ariane 5’s lower satellite – the SES NEW SKIES NSS-9 spacecraft – which will be installed directly atop the launcher’s core cryogenic stage.

During the upcoming launch, HOT BIRD 10 will be released first in the payload deployment sequence, followed by the SYLDA dispenser’s separation, clearing the way for Ariane 5’s release of NSS-9.

HOT BIRD 10 was built by prime contractor EADS Astrium, and is based on the company’s Eurostar E3000 spacecraft bus.  It will be the second HOT BIRD satellite launched for Eutelsat on consecutive Arianespace missions, and follows the identical HOT BIRD™ 9 spacecraft orbited by Ariane 5’s year-ending 2008 mission on December 20.  HOT BIRD 9 had a liftoff weight of 4,880 kg. and will handle cable and satellite broadcasting duties at Eutelsat’s orbital slot of 13 deg. East – where HOT BIRD 10 also is to be located.

The NSS-9 satellite will have a liftoff mass of 2,230 kg. for the upcoming Ariane 5 mission, and was manufactured by Orbital Sciences Corporation.  This satellite is to be positioned at 183 deg. East to provide communications links for SES NEW SKIES customers that include broadcasters, government users, Pacific island carriers and the maritime industry. 

Joining NSS-9 and HOT BIRD 10 on Ariane 5’s February 12 launch are two 120-kg.-class Spirale microsatellites. They are demonstrators for a French space-based optical early warning program that will become part of an anti-ballistic missile defense system, and also contribute to other operational missions such as proliferation monitoring.  The two Spirale spacecraft are installed on a ring-shaped support structure installed at the base of Ariane 5’s payload stack, and were built by Alcatel Space for Spirale program prime contractor EADS Astrium.

[Stephan]

Launch-kit from Arianespace is available here : http://www.arianespace.com/images/launch-kits/launch-kit-pdf-eng/HOTBIRD10_NSS9_Spirale_GB.pdf

[jacqmans]

HOT BIRD™ 10 and NSS-9 mark new milestones in their integration for Ariane 5's initial mission of 2009

http://www.arianespace.com/news-mission-update/2009/563.asp

February 3, 2009

 
The multi-passenger payload “stack” for Arianespace’s upcoming heavy-lift mission is nearly complete, with its NSS-9 satellite now integrated atop Ariane 5, and the HOT BIRD™ 10 spacecraft encapsulated in the launcher’s payload fairing.

During activity in the Ariane 5 Final Assembly Building at Europe’s Spaceport, NSS-9 was installed this morning on the launch vehicle’s cryogenic core stage.   This places the SES NEW SKIES satellite in the lower position of Ariane 5’s payload stack, from where it will be deployed approximately 32 minutes after liftoff on the February 12 mission (upper photo at right).

In an adjacent preparation area of the Final Assembly Building, Ariane 5’s protective fairing was lowered into place yesterday over Eutelsat’s HOT BIRD 10 spacecraft and the SLYDA dispenser system on which it is mated (bottom photo).   This readies the HOT BIRD 10/SYLDA combination for its placement over the NSS-9 satellite, completing the payload stack.  HOT BIRD 10 is to be separated first during Ariane 5’s launch, with its release occurring about 26 min. 30 sec. into the flight.

The upcoming mission will be Arianespace’s first for 2009, during which the company is targeting six to eight launches with its workhorse heavy-lift vehicle. 

HOT BIRD 10 is a high-power satellite equipped with 64 Ku-band transponders. Built by prime contractor EADS Astrium on its Eurostar E3000 spacecraft bus, the spacecraft has a launch mass of 4,892 kg., and it is identical to Eutelsat's HOT BIRD™ 9 – which was orbited on the year-ending 2008 mission of Ariane 5 on December 20.  HOT BIRD 10 is earmarked for cable and satellite broadcasting duties at Eutelsat’s flagship “video neighborhood” orbital slot of 13 deg. East.

NSS-9 will be operated by SES NEW SKIES, and was built by Orbital Sciences Corporation using its Star-2 platform.  This satellite will have a liftoff mass of about 2,230 kg. and is fitted with 44 active high-power C-band transponders.   From its orbital position at 183 degrees West, NSS-9 is to offer seamless operational continuity for a variety of customers, including TV broadcasters, government users, operators and transport firms in the Pacific islands, as well as the maritime industry.

Also to be orbited on Ariane 5’s February 12 mission will be a pair of Spirale micro-satellites, which are riding as auxiliary passengers at the base of the payload stack.  These two 120-kg.-class satellites are demonstrators for a French defense space-based optical early warning system.  They were built by Alcatel Space for Spirale program prime contractor EADS Astrium – and are based on the French CNES space agency-designed Myriade spacecraft platform.

France’s Spirale demonstration program is designed to collect infrared images of terrestrial backgrounds and analyze them in order to assess the detection of ballistic missiles during their powered phase.  This is expected to pave the way for a future ballistic missile warning system that would monitor the proliferation of ballistic missiles, as well as provide early warning of launches and determine the origin. 

The Spirale satellites will be deployed at just under 34 minutes into the February 12 flight of Ariane 5, marking the mission’s completion.

[jacqmans]

Ariane 5 is ready for launch with its payload of the HOT BIRD™ 10, NSS-9 and Spirale satellites

http://www.arianespace.com/news-mission-update/2009/564.asp

February 4, 2009

 
Arianespace’s first Ariane 5 for launch in 2009 is now complete following the full installation of its multi-satellite payload, keeping preparations on schedule for a February 12 evening liftoff from the Spaceport in French Guiana.

The final assembly step occurred today when Ariane 5’s upper payload "stack" component was installed atop the launcher.  This element is composed of the Eutelsat HOT BIRD™ 10 satellite, which is mounted on Ariane 5’s SYLDA dispenser system and encapsulated inside the launch vehicle’s protective payload fairing. 

During activity in the upper level of Ariane 5’s Final Assembly Building, the HOT BIRD 10/SYLDA/payload fairing combination was positioned over the mission’s other main passenger – SES NEW SKIES’ NSS-9 satellite, which had been mated yesterday to the launcher’s cryogenic core stage.

These payloads are to be deployed during a 34-minute mission, with HOT BIRD 10 released first.  It will be followed by the SYLDA dispenser’s separation, exposing NSS-9 at the base of Ariane 5’s payload stack for its own deployment in the flight sequence.

Two Spirale auxiliary micro-satellites, which are being carried as piggyback passengers, will then be separated to mark the flight’s completion.

The heavy-lift performance for this year-opening Ariane 5 launch is 8,511 kg., which includes 7,420 kg. for the satellites, along with the associated integration hardware and SYLDA dispenser system.

[jacqmans]

Launch Window:

 
UTC:
Between 10:09 p.m.
and 11:04 p.m. on February 12, 2009

Paris, France:
Between 11:09 p.m.
and 00:04 a.m. on February 12-13, 2009

Kourou, French Guiana:
Between 07:09 p.m.
and 08:04 p.m. on February 12, 2009

Washington, D.C., USA:
Between 05:09 p.m.
and 06:04 p.m. on February 12, 2009

Moscow, Russia:
Between 01:09 a.m.
and 02:04 a.m. on February 13, 2009
 

[satlaunch]

Two Spirale satellites are ready for their liftoff as auxiliary passengers on Ariane 5's next mission

February 10, 2009

The two Spirale auxiliary payloads for Arianespace’s upcoming mission have mated to their launcher at the Spaceport in French Guiana, and are now ready for liftoff on February 12 launch with the HOT BIRD™ and NSS-9 primary satellite passengers. 

These micro-satellites are the space segment for the SPIRALE demonstrator, which will provide certain key elements in paving the way for a future French defense early warning system.

http://www.arianespace.com/news-mission-update/2009/566.asp (with images)

[satlaunch]

Ariane 5 is cleared for its first mission of 2009

February 10, 2009

Arianespace’s initial Ariane 5 flight of 2009 has been given the go-ahead for its February 12 liftoff following completion of the mission’s launch readiness review, which was held today at the Spaceport in French Guiana.

This review is among the final key milestones of every Ariane 5 launch campaign, and it validated the heavy-lift vehicle’s readiness, along with the “go” status for its multi-satellite payload, the infrastructure at Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana and the network of downrange tracking stations.

The February 12 mission will mark the start of another busy year for Arianespace’s workhorse Ariane 5, which is expected to perform six to eight flights during 2009.

Primary payloads for the upcoming launch are the HOT BIRD™ 10 and NSS-9 telecommunications satellites, which will be accompanied by two Spirale piggyback passengers.

The lift performance for this mission is 8,511 kg., which includes a mass of 7,420 kg. for the satellites, along with their associated integration hardware and the launcher’s SYLDA multi-payload dispenser system.  It will be Ariane 5’s 43rd flight, and the 187th liftoff of a vehicle in the Ariane family of commercial launchers.

Riding in the upper position of Ariane 5’s payload “stack” is HOT BIRD 10, which will be operated by Eutelsat for cable and satellite broadcasting duties from its “video neighborhood” orbital slot of 13 deg. East.  This high-power satellite is equipped with 64 Ku-band transponders and was manufactured by prime contractor EADS Astrium using the Eurostar E3000 spacecraft bus.

HOT BIRD 10 has a launch mass of approximately 4,890 kg., and is identical to Eutelsat's HOT BIRD™ 9 – which was orbited by the year-ending 2008 mission of Ariane 5 on December 20.

Integrated in the lower position of Ariane 5’s payload stack is SES NEW SKIES’ NSS-9 satellite, produced by Orbital Sciences Corporation using its Star-2 platform.  NSS-9 will have a liftoff mass of about 2,240 kg. and is fitted with 44 active high-power C-band transponders. 

To be located at an orbital slot of 183 degrees East, NSS-9 will provide relay coverage for a variety of customers, including TV broadcasters, government users, operators and transport firms in the Pacific islands, as well as the maritime industry.

NSS-9 features three beams that can interconnect on a transponder-by-transponder basis: a global beam providing full coverage of the Earth visible from its operational orbital position; a West hemi-beam for coverage over Australia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Japan, China, Korea and the Pacific Islands; and an East hemi-beam with coverage and connectivity to the U.S., Hawaii and Polynesia.

Also to be orbited by Ariane 5 are two micro-satellites that are the space segment for France’s SPIRALE demonstrator, which will provide certain key elements in paving the way for a future defense early warning system.  Thales Alenia Space developed these 120-kg.-class satellites, while Spirale program prime contractor EADS Astrium has responsibility for their integration, in-orbit operations and data collection for the French DGA armament procurement agency.

The Spirale spacecraft are based on the Myriade spacecraft platform developed by the French CNES national space agency.

http://www.arianespace.com/news-mission-update/2009/567.asp (with image)

[Satori]

Does anyone have the serial number of this Ariane-5ECA as well as of the V186 mission?

Thanks!

[Nicolas PILLET]

It is launcher L545.

V186 was launcher L543.

I think that L544 is not an ECA launcher.

[Mighty-T]

I think that L544 is not an ECA launcher.

L544 is the launcher for ATV-2

[jacqmans]

The Ariane 5 for Arianespace’s first mission of 2009 is transferred to the launch zone
February 11, 2009

http://www.arianespace.com/news-mission-update/2009/568.asp

Arianespace’s first mission of 2009 is ready for tomorrow evening’s liftoff following the rollout of its heavy-lift Ariane 5 this morning to the ELA-3 launch zone at Europe’s Spaceport.

Riding atop its massive mobile launch table, Ariane 5 departed the Spaceport’s Final Assembly building under sunny skies at 11:30 a.m. (local time in French Guiana), and arrived at the launch pad one hour later. 

Tomorrow’s mission will usher in the start of another busy year for the workhorse Ariane 5, which has been launched 42 times to date and is planned to perform six to eight flights at the service of Arianespace customers during 2009.

Ariane 5’s lift performance for this mission is a total of 8,511 kg., which includes a mass of 7,420 kg. for its satellite passengers, along with the associated integration hardware and the launcher’s SYLDA multi-payload dispenser system. 

The two primary passengers are Eutelsat’s HOT BIRD™ 10 and SES NEW SKIES’ NSS-9, which are accompanied by two Spirale micro-satellites.

HOT BIRD 10 will be deployed first in the flight sequence, with its release scheduled at 26 min. 31 sec. into the mission.  This will be followed by NSS-9, which is to be separated from the Ariane 5 at approximately 32 minutes into the flight.

Completing the mission will be Ariane 5’s deployment of the Spirale piggyback payload pair, which is to occur two minutes later.

HOT BIRD 10 will be operated by Eutelsat for cable and satellite broadcasting duties from its “video neighborhood” orbital slot of 13 deg.  The 4,890-kg. spacecraft is equipped with 64 Ku-band transponders and was manufactured by prime contractor EADS Astrium using the Eurostar E3000 spacecraft bus.

SES NEW SKIES’ NSS-9 satellite was produced by Orbital Sciences Corporation and is configured with 44 active high-power C-band transponders.  This platform is designed to provide coverage for a variety of customers – including TV broadcasters, government users, operators and transport firms in the Pacific islands, as well as the maritime industry.   NSS-9 has a liftoff mass of about 2,240 kg., and will be positioned at an orbital location of 183 degrees East.

The two 120-kg.-class Spirale satellites are the space segment for France’s SPIRALE demonstrator, which will help pave the way for a future defense early warning system.  Thales Alenia Space developed these spacecraft, while Spirale program prime contractor EADS Astrium has responsibility for their integration, in-orbit operations and data collection for the French DGA armament procurement agency.  The Spirale spacecraft design is based on the Myriade small-sat platform developed by the French CNES national space agency.

[jacqmans]

Watch the launch with the live broadcast in the Video Corner:

http://www.videocorner.tv/


http://www.videocorner.tv/videocorner2/live_flv/index.php?langue=en

[Ronsmytheiii]

Weather is not looking good for launch today according to weather underground:

http://www.wunderground.com/cgi-bin/findweather/getForecast?query=zmw:00000.1.81403&hourly=1&yday=42&weekday=Thursday

[Ronsmytheiii]

countdown to webcast beginning:

[Ronsmytheiii]

[Ronsmytheiii]

webcast started, all green on the board:

[Ronsmytheiii]

[Ronsmytheiii]

Should have clear skies for launch tonight per PAO

[cb6785]

weather looks good at the moment

[Ronsmytheiii]

t-minus 7 minutes

[cb6785]

t-5min

[William Graham]

L-4 mins

[William Graham]

L-3, still green

[Ronsmytheiii]

[William Graham]

L-120 seconds

[Ronsmytheiii]

rollout:

[William Graham]

90 seconds until launch

[cb6785]

t-60sek

[William Graham]

L-60 seconds
Target launch time is 23:09:00

[Ronsmytheiii]

access arms:

[William Graham]

L-30 seconds

[cb6785]

t-15sek

[William Graham]

Main engine ignition

[cb6785]

liftoff!!!

[Ronsmytheiii]

[cb6785]

1 minute into the flight...all looks fine

[William Graham]

L+1 minute

[Ronsmytheiii]

[Ronsmytheiii]

[William Graham]

2 minutes into the flight

[Ronsmytheiii]

[cb6785]

SRB seperation complete

[William Graham]

SRB sep

[Ronsmytheiii]

[cb6785]

Fairing separation

[William Graham]

Now in space

[Ronsmytheiii]

[cb6785]

Alt 150km
Velocity 2.69 km/s

[cb6785]

Alt 181.6 km
Velocity 4.00 km/s

[William Graham]

Now seven minutes into the flight

[Chris Bergin]

Thanks for the coverage guys, my internet connection is being stupid.

[cb6785]

Alt 183.6 km
Velocity 6.00 km/s

[William Graham]

"All is normal"

[William Graham]

First stage shutdown

[cb6785]

MECO and main stage sep now!

Upperstage is burning

[William Graham]

S1 sep

[William Graham]

S2 ignition

[William Graham]

L+10 minutes

[cb6785]

15min into the flight

[cb6785]

Alt 167.4 km
Velocity 8.00 km/s

[William Graham]

200 kilometres altitude

[cb6785]

Alt 224.7 km
Velocity 8.50 km/s

[cb6785]

Alt 388.1 km
Velocity 9.00 km/s

[William Graham]

S2 shutdown

[cb6785]

SECO (at 642.4 km / 9.37 km/s)

[Ronsmytheiii]

[Ronsmytheiii]

Bye hotbird

[William Graham]

Hot Bird 10 separation

[cb6785]

Hot Bird 10 sep!

[Ronsmytheiii]

[William Graham]

SYLDA separation

[cb6785]

Sylda sep.

[William Graham]

Re-orienting for NSS-9 separation

[Ronsmytheiii]

[William Graham]

Form the webcast, questions for tonight's launch:

How many triple launches has Arianespace conducted?

or

When was the last one?

[William Graham]

NSS-9 separation.

[cb6785]

NSS-9 sep!

[Ronsmytheiii]

[William Graham]

Re-orienting for Spirale separation. Both satellites will be separated simultaneously.

[cb6785]

Spiral A and B have sep complete! Congrats to everyone involved! Really great flight tonight!

[William Graham]

Spirale separation

[Ronsmytheiii]

[Ronsmytheiii]

Launch video

[satlaunch]

Good work again! Congratulations Arianespace!

[Felix]

Congrats!

[MBK004]

Form the webcast, questions for tonight's launch:

How many triple launches has Arianespace conducted?

or

When was the last one?

The last one was 13 October 2006 when an Ariane 5-ECA (V173) launched DirecTV-9S, Optus D1, and LDREX-2. This from the wikipedia article for the Ariane 5.

[Carl G]

Launch video

Cool, thanks!

[jacqmans]

Ariane 5 begins 2009 with another successful launch at Arianespace's service
February 12, 2009

http://www.arianespace.com/news-mission-update/2009/571.asp

Arianespace initiated another busy year of launch activity with tonight’s successful Ariane 5 launch, which orbited payloads for two of the world’s leading satellite communications operators – Eutelsat and SES.

 
After an on-time liftoff from the ELA-3 launch complex at Europe’s Spaceport, the heavy-lift Ariane 5 ECA deployed HOT BIRD™ 10 for Eutelsat, followed by NSS-9 for SES NEW SKIES. Two small Spirale auxiliary payloads for the French DGA defense procurement agency were then injected into orbit to complete the 34-minute mission.

“Our Ariane 5 unites power and dependability – as demonstrated by this 29th consecutive success,” said Arianespace Chairman & CEO Jean-Yves Le Gall.  “This success also illustrates the privileged relationships Arianespace has built with its clients during numerous years.”

The evening flight’s live video broadcast showed Ariane 5’s smooth ascent from French Guiana after engine ignition at 7:09 p.m., and it tracked the launcher downrange – including separation of the two solid propellant boosters at approximately 2 min. into the flight.

Ariane 5’s track record for on-target missions continued with this latest launch, with its accuracy underscored by the provisional orbital parameters at injection of the vehicle’s cryogenic upper stage:
- Perigee: 248.2 km. for a target of 248.5 km.
- Apogee: 35,955 km. for a target of 35,960 km.
- Inclination: 1.99 degrees for a target of 1.99 degrees

"The technology is assured with Arianespace"

Giuliano Berretta, CEO of Eutelsat Communications, congratulated the Arianespace team for tonight’s mission, adding: “While a launch is still an emotional experience, the technology is assured with Arianespace.” 

Scott J. Sprague, SES NEW SKIES’ Senior Vice President, Global Sales, expressed his appreciation to Arianespace for the effort that went into the mission success, and said he had “goosebumps from head to toe” in viewing Ariane 5’s liftoff from the Jupiter launch control center.

HOT BIRD 10 is the latest satellite orbited in Arianespace’s long-standing cooperation with Eutelsat, which began in 1983 with the launch of ECS-1 on an Ariane 1 vehicle.  The HOT BIRD 10 payload was Eutelsat’s 24th spacecraft to benefit from Arianespace’s launch Service & Solutions offer, which follows the lofting of HOT BIRD™ 9 and W2M together during Arianespace’s 2008 year-ending Ariane 5 mission on December 20.

The SES Group also is a key customer for Arianespace, with launch orders signed for 36 payloads and a relationship that spans more than 24 years since the launch of SPACENET 1 in 1984 on an Ariane 1. 


Total payload performance for tonight’s mission was 8,511 kg., which included 7,420 kg. for the satellites, along with the associated integration hardware and the launcher’s SYLDA multi-payload dispenser system.

HOT BIRD 10 is to be used by Eutelsat for cable and satellite broadcasting duties, and it ultimately will be located at the company’s “video neighborhood” orbital slot of 13 deg.  This 4,890-kg. spacecraft was manufactured by prime contractor EADS Astrium using the Eurostar E3000 spacecraft bus spacecraft, and is equipped with 64 Ku-band transponders.

SES NEW SKIES’ NSS-9 had a liftoff mass of about 2,240 kg. and is designed to provide coverage for a variety of customers – including TV broadcasters, government users, operators and transport firms in the Pacific islands, as well as the maritime industry.  Produced by Orbital Sciences Corporation with its Star-2 satellite bus, NSS-9 is configured with 44 active high-power C-band transponders, and will be positioned at an orbital slot of 183 degrees East.

The two 120-kg.-class Spirale satellites included as piggyback payloads for tonight’s mission represent the space segment for France’s SPIRALE demonstrator, which will help pave the way for a future defense early warning system.  These spacecraft were developed by Thales Alenia Space, while Spirale program prime contractor EADS Astrium has responsibility for their integration, in-orbit operations and data collection for the French DGA armament procurement agency.  The Spirale spacecraft design is based on the Myriade small-sat platform developed by the French CNES national space agency.


Arianespace will continue its 2009 mission activity with a daytime flight on April 16, which is to launch the Herschel and Planck spacecraft on a European Space Agency mission to provide new data on the universe’s birth and the formation of stars.

[jacqmans]

A “photo album” of Ariane 5’s successful launch with the HOT BIRD™ 10, NSS-9 and Spirale payloads
February 12, 2009


The 43rd flight of Ariane 5 delivered another success for Arianespace, deploying two primary telecommunications satellites and a pair of auxiliary payloads during today’s mission from Europe’s Spaceport.

Final activity from the Ariane 5’s rollout to the launch zone yesterday to tonight’s liftoff is shown in the following photo report from French Guiana

http://www.arianespace.com/news-mission-update/2009/572.asp

[jacqmans]

First Arianespace launch of the year a success - HOT BIRD 10, NSS-9, SPIRALE A and B in orbit
Kourou, February 12, 2009

http://www.arianespace.com/news-press-release/2009/02-12-09-hotbird10-nss-spirale-launch.asp

On Thursday evening, February 12, Arianespace orbited two communications satellites: HOT BIRD™ 10 for European operator Eutelsat, and NSS-9 for the global operator SES New Skies, an SES group company. The mission also launched two microsatellites for the SPIRALE demonstration program. 

43rd Ariane 5 launch, 29th success in a row
The latest successful launch of an Ariane 5, the first in 2009, confirms that Arianespace’s launch Service & Solutions continue to set the global standard for all major space communications operators and manufacturers.

Ariane 5 is the only commercial heavy launcher in service today capable of simultaneously launching two payloads.

This was the 43rd launch of an Ariane 5 and the 29th successful launch in a row.

A launch for prestigious customers
Arianespace offers the best choice of launch solutions to meet the specific requirements of today’s leading operators.

Arianespace and Eutelsat have developed a very fruitful partnership over the last 25 years, with the European launcher lofting more than half of Eutelsat’s fleet. HOT BIRD™ 10 is the 24th Eutelsat satellite launched by Arianespace.

Following the successful launch of HOT BIRD™ 9 in December 2008, Arianespace is proud of its continuing role in bolstering Eutelsat’s flagship orbital position at 13 degrees East.

NSS-9, to be operated by SES New Skies, is the 31st satellite for the SES group of companies (Euronext Paris and Luxembourg Bourse: SESG) to use the European launcher. The SES group is one of the world’s leading satellite operators.

Having already orbited the four Essaim microsatellites along with the Helios 2A satellite for French defense procurement agency DGA, as well as the Syracuse 3A and 3B satellites, Arianespace is continuing its partnership with the French Ministry of Defense.

HOT BIRD™ 10/NSS-9/SPIRALE A & B mission at a glance
The mission was carried out by an Ariane 5 ECA launcher from Europe's Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana. Liftoff was on Thursday, February 12, 2009 at 7:09 pm local time in Kourou (5:09 pm in Washington, D.C., 22:09 UT, 11:09 pm in Paris, and on Friday, February 13, at 1:09 am in Moscow, and at 7:09 am in Tokyo).

HOT BIRD™ 10. Designed to transmit television programs, HOT BIRD™ 10 is fitted with 64 high-power Ku-band transponders. A large satellite weighing 4,892 kg at liftoff, HOT BIRD™ 10 was built by EADS Astrium and is identical to the HOT BIRD™ 8 and 9 satellites. Prior to joining Eutelsat’s flagship HOT BIRD™ position at 13 degrees East the satellite will be located at 7 degrees West in order to increase resources at this location for broadcasting in the Middle East.

NSS-9. Built by Orbital Sciences Corporation using a Star-2 platform, NSS-9 will weigh about 2,290 kg at launch.

It is equipped with 44 active high-power C-band transponders and has a design life of at least 15 years. From its orbital position at 183 degrees West, it will offer seamless operational continuity to a variety of customers, including TV broadcasters, government users, operators and transport firms in the Pacific islands, as well as the maritime industry.

SPIRALE A & B. EADS Astrium was chosen by French defense procurement agency DGA (part of the Ministry of Defense) as prime contractor for the SPIRALE demonstration program. This program comprises the two microsatellites Spirale A and B, based on the Myriade platform designed by French space agency CNES.

The SPIRALE demonstration program is designed to collect infrared images of terrestrial backgrounds and analyze them to assess the detectability of ballistic missiles during their powered phase. It will pave the way for a future ballistic missile warning system, designed to monitor the proliferation of ballistic missiles, determine the origin of launches, and provide early warning of launches.

[jacqmans]

Ariane 5 – First launch of 2009

http://www.esa.int/esaCP/SEMDQXVX3RF_index_0.html
 
13 February 2009
Yesterday evening, an Ariane 5 ECA launcher lifted off from Europe’s Spaceport at Kourou, in French Guiana, on its mission to place two multi-role telecommunications satellites into geostationary transfer orbits. Two auxiliary payloads were also launched during this mission.

[Justin Space]

Thanks for the video Ron, but could you upload the hard copy to the video section as I absolutely hate videos in the youtube Java, flash screen nonsense.

[Chris Bergin]

Shouldn't be a problem, as we can grab off that upload if needed.