Ariane 5 Flight VA230 - Echostar 18 & BRISAT - June 18, 2016

[bolun]

Article for this mission:
https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2016/06/ariane-5-dual-launch-echostar-18-brisat/

http://www.csgpreparationlancement.com/ariane/vol-ariane-230-arrivee-des-elements-du-lanceur/

First components of the Ariane 5 launcher arrived at Guyana on the ship MN Colibri. The launch preparation campaign of  Echostar 18 and BRISAT, scheduled in early June, has started at the Guiana Space Centre.

[bolun]

Mar 18, 2016

Ariane 5 arrives at the Spaceport for a June launch with Echostar 18 and BRIsat

Components for another of Arianespace’s up-to-eight planned Ariane 5 launches in 2016 are now at the Spaceport in French Guiana, following their delivery from Europe this week.

Arriving aboard the MN Colibri – which is one of two sea-going roll-on/roll-off transport ships that support Arianespace’s launcher supply chain – the elements included Ariane 5’s EPC cryogenic main stage and the “upper composite” composed of the ESC-A cryogenic upper stage and vehicle equipment bay.

Once unloaded from the MN Colibri at Pariacabo Port adjacent to the city of Kourou, the components were transferred by road to the nearby Spaceport.

A dual-payload mission for Arianespace in June

This Ariane 5 is planned for liftoff from the Spaceport in early June with two telecommunications relay passengers: Echostar 18 and BRIsat.

Echostar 18 will join the spacecraft fleet of U.S.-based EchoStar Satellite Services, which provides video distribution, data communications and backhaul services to meet the needs of media and broadcast organizations, direct-to-home providers, enterprise customers and government service providers.

BRIsat will serve Indonesia’s PT. Bank Rakyat Indonesia (Persero) Tbk. – also known as BRI – to provide a dedicated platform for banking connection services across the Indonesian archipelago.  Its launch will make BRI one of the world’s first banks to orbit a communications satellite.

The 230th mission for Europe’s Ariane launcher family

Both BRIsat and Echostar 18 are relay platforms built by SSL, a leading provider of geostationary commercial satellites. To date, more than 50 SSL-built spacecraft have been launched by Arianespace.

Ariane 5’s early June mission with BRIsat and Echostar 18 is designated Flight VA230, signifying the 230th liftoff of an Ariane vehicle since the family of European launchers entered service in 1979.

So far in 2016, Arianespace has used the heavy-lift Ariane 5 for two on-target missions: Flight VA229, performed March 9 to orbit the EUTELSAT 65 West A satellite for Eutelsat Communications; and Flight VA228 – conducted on January 27 – which lofted Intelsat 29e as the first high-throughput EpicNG-series spacecraft for international operator Intelsat.

http://www.arianespace.com/mission-update/ariane-5-arrives-at-the-spaceport-for-a-june-launch-with-echostar-18-and-brisat/

[zubenelgenubi]

Mar 18, 2016

Ariane 5 arrives at the Spaceport for a June launch with Echostar 18 and BRIsat

<snip>
BRIsat will serve Indonesia’s PT. Bank Rakyat Indonesia (Persero) Tbk. – also known as BRI – to provide a dedicated platform for banking connection services across the Indonesian archipelago.  Its launch will make BRI one of the world’s first banks to orbit a communications satellite.

<snip>
http://www.arianespace.com/mission-update/ariane-5-arrives-at-the-spaceport-for-a-june-launch-with-echostar-18-and-brisat/

A communications satellite for a bank?!  Has any other financial institution bought a satellite for its own use?

I expect that the challenges of Indonesian geography lend themselves to a space technology solution.

[russianhalo117]

Mar 18, 2016

Ariane 5 arrives at the Spaceport for a June launch with Echostar 18 and BRIsat

<snip>
BRIsat will serve Indonesia’s PT. Bank Rakyat Indonesia (Persero) Tbk. – also known as BRI – to provide a dedicated platform for banking connection services across the Indonesian archipelago.  Its launch will make BRI one of the world’s first banks to orbit a communications satellite.

<snip>
http://www.arianespace.com/mission-update/ariane-5-arrives-at-the-spaceport-for-a-june-launch-with-echostar-18-and-brisat/

A communications satellite for a bank?!  Has any other financial institution bought a satellite for its own use?

I expect that the challenges of Indonesian geography lend themselves to a space technology solution.

Also that the undersea cables to many of the islands have been severed many times by the violent earthquakes in the region towards Australia each decade. So much so that Indonesia is switching to satellite communications been islands as primary method of comm services with land line only used on the Islands themselves.

[Yarrah]

A communications satellite for a bank?!  Has any other financial institution bought a satellite for its own use?

The only one I can think of is Kupon

http://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/kupon.htm

[Adonis1]

A communications satellite for a bank?!  Has any other financial institution bought a satellite for its own use?

[bolun]

Mar 25, 2016

Arianespace’s third Ariane 5 for launch in 2016 is assembled at the Spaceport

The launcher for Arianespace’s third Ariane 5 mission of 2016 has begun its build-up at the Spaceport in French Guiana, initiating preparations for an early June liftoff with the Echostar 18 and BRIsat telecommunications satellites.

During activity in the Spaceport’s Launcher Integration Building, the vehicle’s cryogenic main stage was positioned over one of two operational launch tables for Ariane 5, followed by the integration of its two solid propellant boosters.

The next step will be installation of Ariane 5’s “upper composite,” composed of the ESC-A cryogenic upper stage and vehicle equipment bay.

When this integration – performed under responsibility of industrial prime contractor Airbus Safran Launchers – is completed, the Ariane 5 will be ready for its transfer to the Final Assembly Building, where Arianespace oversees the payload integration, final checkout and the launch operations.

The Upcoming Flight Will Be Ariane’s 230th Mission

Arianespace’s June mission is designated Flight VA230 in the company’s launcher family numbering system, representing the 230th liftoff of an Ariane vehicle since the family of European launchers entered service in 1979.  It will deliver the two passengers into geostationary transfer orbit.

Both the Echostar 18 and BRIsat satellites to be lofted by Flight VA230 are relay platforms built by SSL, which is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of geostationary commercial satellites. More than 50 SSL-built spacecraft have been launched by Arianespace to date.

Echostar 18 will be operated U.S.-based EchoStar Satellite Services, a provider of video distribution, data communications and backhaul services for media and broadcast organizations, direct-to-home providers, enterprise customers and government service providers.

BRIsat is to serve Indonesia’s PT. Bank Rakyat Indonesia (Persero) Tbk. – also known as BRI – and the launch will make it one of the world’s first banks with a communications satellite.  BRIsat has been designed to operate as a dedicated platform for banking connection services across the Indonesian archipelago.

http://www.arianespace.com/mission-update/arianespaces-third-ariane-5-for-launch-in-2016-is-assembled-at-the-spaceport/

[bolun]

Apr 21, 2016

EchoStar 18 arrives at the Spaceport for Arianespace’s June launch with Ariane 5

The first of two Space Systems Loral-built satellites to be orbited on Arianespace’s next Ariane 5 mission has arrived at the Spaceport, initiating the payload preparation phase for this heavy-lift flight in June.

EchoStar 18 was delivered to French Guiana yesterday, arriving at Félix Eboué Airport near Cayenne aboard a chartered Antonov An-124 cargo jetliner. After unloading, the spacecraft was transferred by road to the Spaceport, where it was moved into the S5 payload processing facility for the start of pre-flight checkout.

U.S.-based EchoStar Satellite Services will add EchoStar 18 to its spacecraft fleet, which delivers video distribution, data communications and backhaul services to meet the needs of media and broadcast organizations, direct-to-home providers, enterprise customers and government service providers. EchoStar 18 is based on the 1300 satellite bus produced by Space Systems Loral (SSL).

SSL is a leading provider of geostationary commercial satellites, and this Palo Alto, California-based company also built BRIsat – the second passenger for Arianespace’s Ariane 5 mission in June. BRIsat will serve Indonesia’s PT. Bank Rakyat Indonesia (Persero) Tbk. – also known as BRI – with the spacecraft to operate as a dedicated relay platform for banking connection services across the Indonesian archipelago.

The Ariane 5 mission with BRIsat and EchoStar 18 is designated Flight VA230 in Arianespace’s launcher family numbering system, and is one of up to 12 missions planned during 2016 with the company’s launcher family composed of Ariane 5, along with the medium-lift Soyuz and lightweight Vega.

http://www.arianespace.com/mission-update/echostar-xviii-arrives-at-the-spaceport-for-arianespaces-june-launch-with-ariane-5/

[bolun]

May 3, 2016

EchoStar 18 begins its preparation for Arianespace’s next Ariane 5 mission

The EchoStar 18 satellite for Arianespace’s next dual-passenger Ariane 5 mission is undergoing its pre-launch checkout at the Spaceport for a June liftoff from French Guiana.

As part of this activity, the spacecraft underwent its fit-check – an initial milestone validating the satellite’s compatibility with the adapter that is to serve as the payload interface with Ariane 5.

EchoStar 18 will join U.S.-based EchoStar Satellite Services’ spacecraft fleet, which provides video distribution, data communications and backhaul services for media and broadcast organizations, direct-to-home providers, enterprise customers and government service providers.

Based on the 1300 satellite bus produced by SSL, EchoStar 18 is one of two passengers built by the company that will be deployed into geostationary transfer orbit by the upcoming heavy-lift Ariane 5 mission – designated Flight VA230 in Arianespace’s launcher family numbering system. It will be joined by BRIsat, a dedicated relay platform for Indonesia’s PT. Bank Rakyat Indonesia (Persero) Tbk. to deliver banking connection services across the Indonesian archipelago.

Arianespace’s Flight VA230 is one of up to 12 missions planned during 2016 with the company’s launcher family of the heavy-lift Ariane 5, the medium-lift Soyuz and lightweight Vega. So far this year, Arianespace has performed three launches: Ariane 5 missions on January 27 (with Intelsat 29e) and March 9 (orbiting EUTELSAT 65 West A), as well as a Soyuz flight on April 25 that lofted a five-satellite payload consisting of Sentinel-1B, Microscope and three Fly Your Satellite! CubeSats.

Flight VA230 in June will be preceded by Arianespace’s May 24 launch of a Soyuz, which will carry two more satellites for Europe’s Galileo satellite-based navigation and positioning system.

http://www.arianespace.com/mission-update/echostar-18-begins-its-preparation-for-arianespaces-next-ariane-5-mission/

[Lewis007]

Fueling of the Echostar-18 satellite took place on May 4.
Credit: CNES

[Lewis007]

BRISAT arrived in French Guyana on May 9
(photos: CNES)

[Chris Bergin]

ssl delivers satellite for INDONESIAN BANK TO LAUNCH BASE

PALO ALTO, Calif. – May 10, 2016 — Space Systems Loral (SSL), a leading provider of commercial satellites, today announced that the BRIsat satellite, designed and built for PT. Bank Rakyat Indonesia (Persero) Tbk. (BRI), the oldest and most profitable bank in Indonesia, has arrived at the European Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana, where it will be launched aboard an Ariane 5 launch vehicle by Arianespace. BRI will use the satellite to provide a dedicated platform for banking connection services for the people of Indonesia.

BRIsat is the world’s first communications satellite dedicated to a financial institution.  It will provide both C-band and Ku-band coverage of Indonesia and South East Asia. Positioned at 150.5 degrees East longitude, the satellite will enable BRI to provide enhanced secure banking communications for more than 10,600 operational branches, 236,939 electronic channel outlets, and almost 53 million customers across the Indonesian archipelago.

“It has been an honor to work with bank BRI to build a satellite that will help improve lives in Indonesia by expanding the availability of banking services,” said John Celli, president of SSL. “We are pleased that the satellite arrived at launch base on schedule and look forward to its successful launch.”

BRIsat is based on the SSL 1300 satellite platform, which has the flexibility to support a broad range of applications and technology advances. The satellite is designed to provide service for 15 years or longer.

“SSL has been a professional and reliable partner in the design and manufacturing of our satellite,” said BRI CEO Asmawi Syam Syamsuddin. “The satellite was delivered on schedule in just 24 months and when launched it will help us better serve the people of Indonesia.”

SSL is also providing BRI with a complete ground system solution, which includes two satellite control facilities, as well as training, and launch support services.

About BRI
PT. Bank Rakyat Indonesia (Persero) Tbk. (BRI) is one of the largest state-owned banks in Indonesia. BRI went to public through Initial Public Offering in 2003 and became one of the blue chip stock traded in the Indonesia Stock Exchange. The Indonesian Government still keeps the majority share of 56.75%. For more detail, visit www.bri.co.id.

[Lewis007]

Some pics of the opening of the Brisat shipping container.
(credit: CNES Flickr)

[jacqmans]

May 16, 2016 

Pre-launch processing is underway with Indonesia’s BRIsat for the next Arianespace heavy-lift flight

The second of two Space Systems Loral-built (SSL) payloads on Arianespace’s upcoming Ariane 5 mission is well into its pre-launch processing at the Spaceport as Indonesia’s BRIsat is readied for a June liftoff from French Guiana.

Preparations have included the fit-check, which is a regular milestone for Arianespace spacecraft passengers. This step validated BRIsat’s electrical and mechanical compatibility with the adapter that will serve as the interface when integrated with Ariane 5.

BRIsat will be riding as the lower passenger during Arianespace’s dual-payload mission, which will be the third Ariane 5 flight in 2016.

Once in orbit, BRIsat will become one of the world’s first communications satellites dedicated to a financial institution, and is configured to provide both C-band and Ku-band coverage of Indonesia and South East Asia.

BRIsat to support banking communications services

The spacecraft will serve PT. Bank Rakyat Indonesia (Persero) Tbk. (BRI), the country’s oldest and most profitable bank, providing enhanced secure banking communications for more than 10,600 operational branches, some 237,000 electronic channel outlets and nearly 53 million customers across the Indonesian archipelago.

BRIsat is based on the SSL 1300 satellite platform, designed to deliver service for 15 years or longer. In addition to producing the satellite, SSL is providing BRI with a complete ground system solution, which includes two satellite control facilities, as well as training and launch support services.

Riding in the upper payload position on Arianespace’s June Ariane 5 mission to geostationary transfer orbit is EchoStar 18, which is to join the fleet of EchoStar Satellite Services. This U.S.-based operator provides video distribution, data communications and backhaul services for media and broadcast organizations, direct-to-home providers, enterprise customers and government service providers.

EchoStar 18 also utilizes the SSL 1300 satellite bus as its platform.

The Ariane 5 mission with BRIsat and Echostar 18 will be the fifth of up to 12 Arianespace flights planned during 2016 with the company’s launch vehicle family composed of the heavy-lift Ariane 5, the medium-lift Soyuz and lightweight Vega.

Preceding the June liftoff with BRIsat and EchoStar 18 will be Soyuz Flight VS15, which is to orbit a pair of FOC (Full Operational Capability) satellites for Europe’s Galileo navigation system on May 24.

http://www.arianespace.com/mission-update/pre-launch-processing-is-underway-with-indonesias-brisat-for-the-next-arianespace-heavy-lift-flight/

[Lewis007]

Some recent pics of the VA230 campaign.Both sats have been fueled, and Echostar has been placed on top of the SYLDA.
(credit: CSG facebook)

[jacqmans]

May 26, 2016 

The BRIsat banking communications satellite is fueled for Arianespace’s June 8 launch with Ariane 5

A milestone payload on Arianespace’s upcoming Ariane 5 mission has been fueled at the Spaceport in French Guiana, readying the Indonesian BRIsat spacecraft for integration with its heavy-lift launcher.

BRIsat will be operated by PT. Bank Rakyat Indonesia (Persero) Tbk. (BRI), which is one of the world’s first banks to purchase its own satellite. Once in orbit, BRIsat will provide enhanced secure banking communications for more than 10,600 operational branches, as well as to some 237,000 electronic channel outlets and nearly 53 million customers across the Indonesian archipelago.

The spacecraft was produced by Space Systems Loral (SSL) based on the company’s SSL 1300 satellite platform.

BRIsat will be orbited along with Arianespace’s co-passenger on the June 8 mission: EchoStar 18, which also was built by SSL and will be utilized by DISH Network L.L.C. This direct broadcast spacecraft is designed to provide exceptional sparing flexibility for the DISH fleet, and will augment its existing satellite resources while assuring the highest level of ongoing service to DISH customers.

Arianespace’s Ariane 5 launch to deploy BRIsat and EchoStar 18 into geostationary transfer orbit is designated Flight VA230 in the company’s numbering system, signifying the 230th mission with an Ariane-series vehicle. It will be Arianespace’s fifth liftoff in 2016, with the overall goal of performing up to 12 flights this year using the heavy-lift Ariane 5, medium-lift Soyuz and lightweight Vega launchers.

http://www.arianespace.com/mission-update/the-brisat-banking-communications-satellite-is-fueled-for-arianespaces-june-8-launch-with-ariane-5/

[Lewis007]

VA230 poster/sticker from the Kourou Space Centre

[input~2]

BRI’s satellite to launch in June, come online in August

[jacqmans]

May 31, 2016 

EchoStar XVIII and BRIsat are installed on Arianespace’s Ariane 5

The payload integration process was completed today in French Guiana for Arianespace’s upcoming dual-passenger Ariane 5 Flight VA230 on June 8.

During activity this week inside the Spaceport’s Ariane 5 Final Assembly Building (BAF), both satellite passengers – EchoStar XVIII and BRIsat – have been installed on the heavy-lift vehicle, completing launcher build-up for Flight VA230.

These preparations kicked off with installation of the mission’s lower passenger – BRIsat – atop the launcher’s central core. Subsequently, the upper component – consisting of EchoStar XVIII, the SYLDA dispenser system and Ariane 5’s protective payload fairing – was placed over BRIsat. This clears the way for final checkout before Ariane 5’s liftoff next week, including the launch readiness review and the vehicle’s rollout to the ELA-3 launch zone.

Ariane 5 complete for Flight VA230

EchoStar XVIII is the mission’s upper passenger, and it is to be orbited for operator DISH Network L.L.C. The spacecraft features a high-power multi-spot beam in the Ku-band to assure the highest levels of ongoing service to DISH customers in the contiguous United States, Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico and Cuba.

Joining EchoStar XVIII on Arianespace’s next mission is BRIsat – a milestone payload for P.T. Bank Rakyat Indonesia (Persero) Tbk. (BRI).

As the world’s first dedicated banking communications satellite, BRIsat will provide enhanced secure banking communications for more than 10,600 operational branches, as well as to some 237,000 electronic channel outlets and nearly 53 million customers across the Indonesian archipelago.

Both the BRIsat and EchoStar XVIII relay platforms were built by U.S.-based SSL (Space Systems Loral).

Next week’s Ariane 5 Flight VA230 will be Arianespace’s third heavy-lift launch of 2016, following previous successes in January (VA228) and March (VA229). Arianespace is maintaining its busy operational pace this year – with its launch manifest including a record of up to eight Ariane 5 flights, along with its two successful medium-lift Soyuz missions to date (VS14 in April and VS15 in May) and two launches planned with the lightweight Vega.

http://www.arianespace.com/mission-update/ariane-5-flight-va230-echostar-xviii-brisat-integration/

[beidou]

Launch kit is available now.