Author Topic: Ariane 5 VA244 - Galileo-FOC FM019, 20, 21&22 - 25 July 2018  (Read 35430 times)

Offline Lewis007

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Some pics were posted by CNES on facebook showing the fueling of one of the satellites ("Tara") on June 26

Offline Lewis007

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CNES also posted some pics of the logo's being placed on the Ariane fairing

Offline FutureSpaceTourist

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Good morning gorgeous... #VA244 #IWishThereWasAWebcamAtCSG

https://twitter.com/dutchspace/status/1014822481092399109

Offline Lewis007

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The first Galileo sat ("Tara") was placed on the dispenser on July 4

Offline bolun

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July 6, 2018

Dual-transfer: Ariane 5s for Arianespace’s next heavy-lift missions are on the move in French Guiana

Arianespace’s flexibility and reactivity in responding to mission changes due to payload availability was underscored with this week’s simultaneous transfer of the 99th and 100th Ariane 5 launchers – which will be utilized on consecutive multi-passenger heavy-lift flights performed from French Guiana in 2018.

During activity at the Spaceport, the no. 99 Ariane 5 – an ES version that will orbit four Galileo FOC (Full Operational Capability) satellites on July 25 – was transferred from the Launcher Integration Building, where its basic build-up was performed, to the Final Assembly Building for payload installation. This upcoming mission is designated Flight VA244 in Arianespace’s numbering system.

The Spaceport’s Final Assembly Building was available due to the parallel rollout of the milestone 100th Ariane 5, which is scheduled for launch in early September carrying the Azerspace-2/Intelsat-38 satellite for Azercosmos and Intelsat, along with another payload to be announced. After moving out of the Final Assembly Building, this ECA version of Ariane 5 had a temporary stopover in the ELA-3 launch zone before heading to the Launcher Integration Building for its own pre-flight preparations.

Designated Flight VA243, the Ariane 5 ECA had been set for a late May liftoff, but its timing was shifted because additional technical checks were required for the mission’s originally-scheduled co-passenger.

Ready for payload integration

The transfer of Flight VA244’s Ariane 5 to the Final Assembly Building is a major step, signaling its readiness for integration of the mission’s four Galileo satellites – which will be released to a circular medium Earth orbit (MEO).

The processing of these satellites occurred at the Spaceport’s S1 building, was followed by their fueling in the S3B facility – enabling their subsequent installation atop a multi-passenger dispenser system.

As Europe’s own global navigation satellite system, Galileo is operated under civilian control, offering guaranteed high-precision positioning around the world. Its initial services began in December 2016, allowing users equipped with Galileo-enabled devices to combine Galileo and GPS data for better positioning accuracy.

The European GNSS Agency (GSA) is responsible for operating the Galileo satellite navigation systems on behalf of the European Union.

Galileo spacecraft are built by OHB System in Bremen, Germany, and the navigation payloads are provided by Airbus-owned Surrey Satellite Technology in the United Kingdom.

http://www.arianespace.com/mission-update/ariane-5-dual-transfer/

Offline jacqmans

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Galileos on dispenser

Two out of four Galileo satellites in the process of being attached to the dispenser that holds them in place during their flight to orbit then releases them into their target orbit, ahead of their 25 July 2018 launch to orbit by Ariane 5. The attachment of the four satellites to their dispenser took place inside the S3B payload preparation building of Europe's Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana.

 
Credits: ESA/CNES/Arianespace/Optique Video du CSG – JM Guillon
Jacques :-)

Offline zubenelgenubi

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Cross-post:
Iridium Announces Updated Dates for Iridium-7 Launch and Second-Quarter 2018 Earnings Call 

MCLEAN, Va. – July 10, 2018 – Iridium Communications Inc. (NASDAQ: IRDM) announced today an updated launch date for the seventh Iridium® NEXT launch and as a result, a revised date for its second-quarter 2018 earnings call. The Iridium-7 mission is now targeting July 25, 2018 from Vandenberg Air Force Base (VAFB) in California with an instantaneous launch window of 4:39:26 am PDT (11:39:26 UTC). This updated schedule comes after SpaceX informed Iridium that more time was needed to prepare the rocket for launch.

VA244 is scheduled to launch only 14 minutes, 25 seconds before Falcon 9/Iridium-7 from Vandenberg!
« Last Edit: 07/12/2018 07:34 pm by zubenelgenubi »
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Offline Lewis007

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All four sats were transferred to the BAF, and placed on the rocket on July 11.
(credit: CNES facebook)

Offline jacqmans

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Fairing lowered over Galileos 23–26

Their protective fairing being lowered over Galileo satellites 23–26 atop their Ariane 5 inside the BAF Final Assembly Building, ahead of the launch of Arianespace Flight VA244 on Wednesday 25 July.

Credits: ESA/CNES/Arianespace/Optique Video du CSG - S Martin
Jacques :-)

Offline jacqmans

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Press Release
N°18-2018

Paris, 17 July 2018

Call for Media: Galileo 23-26 close to launch

The last four Galileo satellites of the second FOC (Full Operational Capability) batch are scheduled for launch on 25 July at 11:25 GMT (13:25 CEST, 08:25 local time) from Europe’s Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana, on an Ariane 5 rocket, designated
Flight VA244 by Arianespace. 

This launch will be the third and last one using a customised Ariane 5 ES launcher, placing the next four Galileo satellites into the last of the three Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) circular orbits at an altitude of 23 222 km. 

This launch will mark Europe’s 99th Ariane 5 flight. The four new Galileo satellites will bring the constellation from 22 to 26 satellites – further improving Galileo’s positioning accuracy and global reach. ESA and its Galileo partners have deployed
22 Galileo satellites in just over four years.

The Galileo system began Initial Services on 15 December 2016, and more than 100 million commercial devices are using Galileo today. 

Media are invited to take part in an audio briefing on 24 July at 16:30 GMT (18:30 CEST, 13:30 local time) to learn the latest on the status of the system. Journalists interested in joining the briefing should request access information via email to
ESA’s Media Relations Office at: [email protected] by 23 July at the latest. 

Follow the launch 

ESA TV 
In cooperation with Arianespace, ESA TV provides broadcasters with free live videostream of the launch. More information at: http://www.esa.int/esatv/Television

ESA Portal 
The launch will be covered live on ESA’s web Portal at www.esa.int, including livestream and launch updates. 

Social media 
Follow the launch on social media:
Twitter: @esa and the hashtag #Galileo 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EuropeanSpaceAgency 
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/ESA
Jacques :-)

Offline jacqmans

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Flight VA244: Arianespace’s Ariane 5 launch for the Galileo constellation and Europe

July 17, 2018


For its fourth launch of the year, Arianespace will orbit four more satellites (satellites 23 to 26) for the Galileo constellation. This mission is being performed on behalf of the European Commission under a contract with the European Space Agency (ESA).

For the third time, an Ariane 5 ES version will be used to orbit satellites in Europe’s own satellite navigation system; with all Galileo spacecraft having been launched to date by Arianespace. Ariane 6 will take over from 2020.

Arianespace is proud to mobilize its entire family of launch vehicles for the benefit of Europe’s ambitions and its independent access to space.

The Flight VA244 will be from Ariane Launch Complex No. 3 (ELA 3) in Kourou, French Guiana.

The Launch Readiness Review (LRR) will take place on Friday, July 20, 2018 in Kourou, to authorize the start of operations for the final countdown.

Galileo is Europe’s own global navigation satellite system, providing a highly accurate, guaranteed global positioning service under civilian control. Currently providing Initial Services, Galileo is interoperable with GPS and Glonass, the U.S. and Russian global satellite navigation systems. By offering dual frequencies as standard, Galileo is set to deliver real-time positioning accuracy down to the meter range.

The constellation will count 24 operational satellites plus in-orbit spares, of which 22 already have been put into orbit by Arianespace.

In July 2017, ESA officially transferred the supervision of Galileo in-orbit operations to the European Global Navigation Satellite Systems Agency (GSA), on behalf of the European Union. After the VA244 launch, the GSA will be responsible for operating the satellites as soon as they are separated from the launcher. These operations of setting up and operating the system will be done in collaboration with ESA.

The Galileo satellites are built by prime contractor OHB System in Bremen, Germany, with the payloads supplied by UK-based Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd (SSTL), which is an Airbus Defense and Space affiliate.
For further information, download the Flight VA244 Launch Kit by clicking here: http://www.arianespace.com/press-kits/
To watch a live, high-speed online transmission of the launch (including commentary in French and English from the launch site), go to arianespace.com or to youtube.com/arianespace on July 25, 2018, beginning 20 minutes before liftoff.
Jacques :-)

Offline Lewis007

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Encapsulation took place on July 12
(credit: CNES facebook)

Offline bolun

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July 20, 2018

Arianespace’s third Ariane 5 mission with Galileo satellites is “go” for launch

Next week’s Arianespace flight with four European Galileo navigation spacecraft has been approved for a morning liftoff on July 25 following the launch readiness review held today at the Spaceport in French Guiana

Designated Flight VA244 in Arianespace’s numbering system, the launch will deploy its quartet of Galileo spacecraft during a nearly four-hour flight, with liftoff set at exactly 8:25:01 a.m. local time in French Guiana on Wednesday.

Today’s launch readiness review validated the “go” status of the Ariane 5 ES launcher version, its Galileo passengers, as well as the Spaceport’s launch site infrastructure and the network of tracking stations.

The Galileo satellites have a liftoff mass of approximately 740 kg. each, and will be injected into a medium Earth orbit (MEO) at an altitude of 22,922 kilometers. To achieve this, the Ariane 5’s storable propellant upper stage will perform two separate burns.

Europe’s global navigation satellite system
As Europe’s own global navigation satellite system, Galileo is operated under civilian control, offering guaranteed high-precision positioning around the world. Its initial services began in December 2016, allowing users equipped with Galileo-enabled devices to combine Galileo and GPS data for better positioning accuracy.

The European GNSS Agency (GSA) is responsible for operating the Galileo satellite navigation systems on behalf of the European Union. Galileo spacecraft are built by OHB System in Bremen, Germany, and the navigation payloads provided by Airbus-owned Surrey Satellite Technology in the United Kingdom.

Flight VA244 is Arianespace’s third Ariane 5 mission carrying European Galileo satellites, following previous launches in November 2016 and December 2017. Prior to that, the company orbited 14 of them on seven Soyuz missions performed between October 2011 and May 2016.

Liftoff time for Flight VA244:

- French Guiana 8:25:01 a.m. on July 25

- Universal Time (UTC) 11:25:01 on July 25

- Washington D.C., USA 7:25:01 a.m. on July 25

- Paris, France 1:25:01 p.m. on July 25

http://www.arianespace.com/mission-update/va244-lrr/

Offline bolun

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Offline FutureSpaceTourist

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Offline FutureSpaceTourist

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The #Ariane5 launcher for tomorrow's #Galileo launch was moved to the launch zone yesterday. Liftoff 25 July at 13:25 CEST (11:25 GMT)
Watch live: esa.int/live

https://twitter.com/esa/status/1021644591307603968

Offline nzguy

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What slots are these satellites going into?

So far:
plane B has 4 satellites, 3 healthy and 1 in reserve (GSAT0204 was removed I think to look after it's clocks when several of the early satellites's clocks died)
plane A has 8 satellites, 4 still under commissioning (but there is doubt about GSAT0215's health as it is still sending dummy navigation data)
plane C has 8 satellites, 7 healthy and 1 in retirement (GSAT0104 I think has bad clocks)

Seems likely they finish off plane B?

They will be two healthy satellites short of the full 24 satellite constellation, however the two elliptical satellites are supposed to be perfectly usable if receiver manufacturers choose to include them.

Perhaps they will turn GSAT0204 back on to announce full services?

Offline FutureSpaceTourist

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Nice shot:

Quote
Peek-a-boo #VA244 #Galileo #ESA

https://twitter.com/dutchspace/status/1021711363243225088?s=21

Offline FutureSpaceTourist

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Some #VA244 numbers:
1. Launcher serial: L596
2. This will be the 99th Ariane 5 launched
3. This,however,is the 100th Ariane 5 built (EPC Serial 5100)
4. Medium fairing serial: C5102M
5. Dispenser FM03
6. EAP serials 5100.1 and 5100.2
7. Vulcain 2 serial: M287
8. EPS serial: 533

https://twitter.com/dutchspace/status/1021730335749550080

Offline jacqmans

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July 23, 2018 

Ariane 5 reaches the launch zone for this week’s Arianespace mission with four Galileo satellites


Arianespace’s next Ariane 5 for liftoff this year has rolled out to the launch zone in French Guiana, clearing the way for the heavy-lift vehicle’s third mission carrying satellites for Europe’s Galileo navigation system.

The completed Ariane 5 ES version was transferred today atop its mobile launch table from the Final Assembly Building – where payload integration occurred – to the Spaceport’s dedicated ELA-3 launch complex.

Designated Flight VA244 in the company’s numbering system, this upcoming Ariane 5 mission – set for Wednesday, July 25 – will lift off at exactly 8:25:01 a.m. local time in French Guiana and deploy its quartet of Galileo spacecraft into medium Earth orbit (MEO) on a nearly four-hour flight.

During the flight sequence, Ariane 5’s storable propellant upper stage will perform two burns, which are to be separated by a 3-hour, 8-minute ballistic phase. The four Galileo satellites have a liftoff mass of 717.7 kg. each, with Ariane 5’s overall payload lift performance set at 3,287 kg.

Another launch for European institutional customers

Flight VA244 is Arianespace’s third Ariane 5 mission carrying European Galileo satellites, following previous launches in December 2017 and November 2016. Prior to that, the company orbited 14 of them on seven Soyuz missions performed between October 2011 and May 2016.

As Europe’s own global navigation satellite system, Galileo is operated under civilian control, offering guaranteed high-precision positioning around the world. Its initial services began in December 2016, allowing users equipped with Galileo-enabled devices to combine Galileo and GPS data for better positioning accuracy.

The European GNSS Agency (GSA) is responsible for operating the Galileo satellite navigation systems on behalf of the European Union. Galileo spacecraft are built by OHB System in Bremen, Germany, and the navigation payloads provided by Airbus-owned Surrey Satellite Technology in the United Kingdom.


 
Jacques :-)

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