Author Topic: Ariane 5 VA255 - SES-17 & Syracuse-4A - October 24, 2021 (02:10 UTC)  (Read 25623 times)

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Offline zubenelgenubi

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Cross-post:
https://cnes-csg.reservationlancement.fr/en/Inscription/Lancements
According to that, the Ariane VA 255 launch is scheduled for October 23 at 01:01 UTC.
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Is mission patch revealed?

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Online eeergo

Expect hype to flow in the European space environment, and particularly at the IAC next week, if as we all expect this launch goes off without a hitch.
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Offline zubenelgenubi

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SFN Launch Schedule, dated October 19:
Launch window on October 23: 01:01 to 03:30 UTC
« Last Edit: 10/20/2021 11:11 am by zubenelgenubi »
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The Ariane 5 and 6 worlds touch (their fairings, specifically):

https://twitter.com/ariane5/status/1450427565047439364
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October 20, 2021

Ariane 5 on the cusp of three records with SES-17 and SYRACUSE 4A launch

- For its 11th launch of 2021 with the second Ariane 5 of the year, scheduled for October 22, Arianespace will orbit two geostationary satellites: SES-17, a high throughput satellite operated by SES and SYRACUSE 4A, a satellite developed for the French Ministry of Defense.

– This 111th Ariane 5 mission will mark three new milestones for the heavy-lift European launcher: it will carry an overall performance of approximately 11.2 tons, the combined mass of its two payloads will reach 10.263 tons and it will be precisely 1.5 meter taller than usual.

Arianespace’s next Ariane 5 launch from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana, is scheduled on Friday, October 22, 2021, during a launch window from 10:01 p.m. to 00:30 a.m. local time (01:01 a.m. to 03:30 a.m. UTC on Saturday, October 23).

The two satellites, manufactured by Thales Alenia Space, will both serve the needs for connectivity. SES-17 will deliver high-speed inflight and maritime connectivity services as well as connecting underserved companies or communities while SYRACUSE 4A will serve French sovereignty by connecting its armed forces all over the world.

SES-17: This telecommunications satellite provides excellent coverage over the Americas, the Caribbean and over the Atlantic Ocean and has been designed to transform the aviation connectivity landscape and to accelerate digital inclusion initiatives. It features almost 200 spot beams, the power of which can be dynamically adjusted in step with customers’ changing requirements. It is also the first SES satellite to have a totally digital payload and is powered by an advanced digital transparent processor (DTP), enabling far greater flexibility and efficiency than previously available.The Luxembourg based operator’s telecommunications satellite will be one of the largest ever launched by Arianespace.

SYRACUSE 4A: This military communications satellite, commissioned by the DGA (Direction Générale de l’Armement), France’s defense procurement agency, will allow to connect the armed forces together when deployed. At sea, in the air or on the ground, militaries need secured and powerful communication means in order to be able to exchange information with the command center. Thanks to its state-of-the-art equipment (anti-jamming antenna and digital on board processor), SYRACUSE 4A will guarantee a high resistance to extreme jamming methods. At the service of France’s sovereignty, the satellite will also support NATO and European-led operations.

VA255, the 111th Ariane 5 mission, will see the heavy-lift European launcher break three records. With a total performance of approximately 11.2 tons, this will be the heaviest payload ever launched by Ariane 5 ECA, surpassing the previous record reached in 2017 with VA237, by nearly 300 kilos. The cumulative mass of its two payloads will reach 10,263 kilograms (6411 kilograms for SES-17 and 3852 kilograms for SYRACUSE 4A), the heaviest ever launched towards GTO orbit. VA255 will also be the tallest Ariane 5 ever launched with a fairing raised by 1.5 meter compared to standard configuration.

ArianeGroup is the lead contractor for the development and production of Ariane 5 and Ariane 6 launchers. The company coordinates an industrial network of more than 600 companies (including 350 SMEs). ArianeGroup oversees the entire Ariane 5 industrial supply chain, from performance optimization and associated studies, to production and mission-specific data and software. This chain includes equipment and structures, engine manufacturing, integration of the various stages, and launcher integration in French Guiana. ArianeGroup delivers a flight-ready launcher on the launch pad to its subsidiary Arianespace, which operates the flight from lift-off, on behalf of its customers.

Ariane 5 is a program of the European Space Agency (ESA), carried out in cooperation between public institutions and industry. Marketed and operated by Arianespace, the Ariane 5 launches take place from the Guiana Space Centre in Kourou, with the support of teams from the French space agency CNES.

https://www.arianespace.com/press-release/ariane-5-on-the-cusp-of-three-records-with-ses-17-and-syracuse-4a-launch/
Jacques :-)

Offline Rondaz

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Meanwhile, @Arianespace is preparing for its next @ariane5 flight, #VA255, this week on 22 October (23 October CEST) from
@EuropeSpacePort. Stay tuned for more info!

https://twitter.com/esa/status/1450435415836663809

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Offline Rondaz

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Coming soon: launch of @Ariane5 #VA255, carrying two passengers: SES-17 and SYRACUSE 4A, for @SES_Satellites and @DGA. Stay tuned to @Arianespace for more details and the link to watch live (launch window opens 02:01 BST/03:01 CEST on 23 October)

https://twitter.com/esa/status/1451145574342959107

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Does anyone have more info on the 1.5m tall "raising cylinder"? Is it made of the same Al-alloy as the fairing or the skin of the Vehicle equipment bay? The Launch kit hints that the cylinder's mass might be around 450 kg (11.2t - satellite mass - SYLDA mass) - is this about right?

Since the raising cylinder's purpose seems to be to increase the fairing volume (height), are there, e.g., any special internal rails to guide SYLDA during its ejection sequence?

Does the change of the center of gravity have an effect on ESC-D Cryotechnic upper stage control and guidance? Was there, e.g., a new SW requirement, or was the (original) guidance system sufficiently flexible to cover a wider range of (forward) center of gravity positions?

And finally, what will be the total height of the "launcher"? 53.5m? 54m? 54.5m?

Offline GWR64

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Does anyone have more info on the 1.5m tall "raising cylinder"? Is it made of the same Al-alloy as the fairing or the skin of the Vehicle equipment bay? The Launch kit hints that the cylinder's mass might be around 450 kg (11.2t - satellite mass - SYLDA mass) - is this about right?

Since the raising cylinder's purpose seems to be to increase the fairing volume (height), are there, e.g., any special internal rails to guide SYLDA during its ejection sequence?

Does the change of the center of gravity have an effect on ESC-D Cryotechnic upper stage control and guidance? Was there, e.g., a new SW requirement, or was the (original) guidance system sufficiently flexible to cover a wider range of (forward) center of gravity positions?

And finally, what will be the total height of the "launcher"? 53.5m? 54m? 54.5m?

56.33 m I think
1 meter higher than VA247

https://twitter.com/dutchspace/status/1093489565132824577

Offline lucas071200

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Offline nicfit

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Since the raising cylinder's purpose seems to be to increase the fairing volume (height), are there, e.g., any special internal rails to guide SYLDA during its ejection sequence?

I believe the Sylda is bolted on top of the raising cylinder, no need for guiderails.

Offline hoku

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Since the raising cylinder's purpose seems to be to increase the fairing volume (height), are there, e.g., any special internal rails to guide SYLDA during its ejection sequence?

I believe the Sylda is bolted on top of the raising cylinder, no need for guiderails.
Thanks! Does this imply that the satellite in the lower compartment (located below Sylda) has to clear the 1.5m tall ring?

Offline zubenelgenubi

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What's wrong with the GSE?
[Arianespace tweet]
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Offline zubenelgenubi

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Edit: NSF members, please feel free to assist with the launch thread coverage.

VA255 launch coverage begins momentarily; at 24 minutes after the hour approximately 1 hour before launch window opens:
« Last Edit: 10/24/2021 01:14 am by zubenelgenubi »
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