Author Topic: Final Ariane 5 ECA+ launches  (Read 43414 times)

Offline zubenelgenubi

  • Global Moderator
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 11181
  • Arc to Arcturus, then Spike to Spica
  • Sometimes it feels like Trantor in the time of Hari Seldon
  • Liked: 7404
  • Likes Given: 72484
Final Ariane 5 ECA+ launches
« on: 11/23/2020 03:33 am »
As of this posting, there are eight and only eight launches pending for the Ariane 5 ECA+ launch vehicle.  (VA254 through VA261)
Seeking confirmation, clarification, or correction.

Some recent clues:
https://twitter.com/arianespaceceo/status/1306601609024229376
My bold:
Quote
We’ve signed a “three-for-two” launch services contract with @INTELSAT! The Galaxy 35 and Galaxy 36 satellites will be lofted as a stacked pair by Ariane5 in 2022, followed by Galaxy 37 on Ariane6 in March 2023.
***

https://www.arianespace.com/press-release/arianespace-reaffirms-its-asia-pacific-launch-services-leadership/
Quote
Arianespace’s order book now includes four satellites to be launched for Asia-Pacific operators:

One satellite to be deployed by Ariane 5 into GTO in 2021: MEASAT-3d for MEASAT...
***

Arianespace announces latest Ariane 5 contract, plans up to four more launches by end of year and raises Executive Committee’s European profile

November 9, 2020
<snip>
Arianespace announced today that it has signed a contract for an Ariane 5 launch of a communications satellite into geostationary orbit, for an undisclosed operator. The launch is planned for 2022. This contract follows a contract signed with Intelsat in September to launch three satellites, along with 16 Soyuz launches for OneWeb. Ariane 5 still has eight more launches to carry out before it is retired and passes the baton to Ariane 6, scheduled to make its first flight in 2022.
<snip>
***

Most Ariane 5 launches carry two payloads to a geosynchronous transfer orbit: one more massive, and the other less massive.  For example, the heavier SES-17 will likely be paired with one of the 4000 kg or less geo-satellites.  I've included satellite mass, if known, and links to Gunter's web site.

Planned launches:
Date - Satellite(s) - Rocket - Launch Site - Time (UTC)

2021
March 4 February - Star One D2 (6200 kg), Eutelsat Quantum (3500 kg) - Ariane 5 ECA (VA254) - Kourou ELA-3 [Launch thread]

Q3 - SES-17 (6000+ kg), [less massive satellite TBD] - Ariane 5 ECA (VA25X) - Kourou ELA-3

October 31 - JWST (James Webb Space Telescope) - Ariane 5 ECA (VA25X) - Kourou ELA-3 [Program thread]

Q4 - Ovzon-3 (~1500 kg) - Ariane 5 ECA - Kourou ELA-3 [Launch thread]

Q4 - Heinrich Hertz (H2Sat) (3450 kg) - Ariane 5 ECA - Kourou ELA-3 (or 2022)

Late - Comsat NG 1 (Syracuse 4A) (3500 kg) - Ariane 5 ECA - Kourou ELA-3

TBD - MEASAT-3d (5734 kg), [less massive satellite TBD] - Ariane 5 ECA (VA25X) - Kourou ELA-3

TBD - SatKomHan 1 (5800 kg) - Ariane 5 ECA - Kourou ELA-3 (or Falcon 9) [Does this satellite exist?]

2022
May 22 - JUICE - Ariane 5 ECA (VA25X) / 64 - Kourou ELA-3/4 (or NLT June 10) [Program thread]

Midyear - Comsat NG 2 (Syracuse 4B) (3500 kg) - Ariane 5 ECA - Kourou ELA-3

September Late - MTG-I1 - Ariane 5 ECA - Kourou ELA-3

NET Q3 - Galaxy 35, Galaxy 36 - Ariane 5 ECA (VA2XX) - Kourou ELA-3

2022 - Eutelsat 10B - Ariane 5 ECA - Kourou ELA-3
=?
2022 - GSO sat for undisclosed operator - Ariane 5 ECA - Kourou ELA-3

2024
TBD - EDRS-D (hosted payload) - Ariane 5 ECA (?) - Kourou ELA-3

Unclear:
Date - Satellite(s) - Rocket - Launch Site

NET 2021 - GO-3S (Geostationary Observation Space Surveillance System) - Ariane 5 ECA - Kourou ELA-3

2023 - SPAINSAT-NG 1 - Ariane 5/6 - Kourou ELA-3/4

Changes on November 19th
Changes on December 7th
Changes on December 15th
zubenelgenubi
« Last Edit: 12/15/2020 03:58 pm by zubenelgenubi »
Support your local planetarium! (COVID-panic and forward: Now more than ever.) My current avatar is saying "i wants to go uppies!" Yes, there are God-given rights. Do you wish to gainsay the Declaration of Independence?

Offline Tobi

  • Member
  • Posts: 29
  • Regensburg, Germany
  • Liked: 3
  • Likes Given: 2
Re: Final Ariane 5 ECA+ launches
« Reply #1 on: 12/10/2020 07:23 pm »
Is it right that Ariane 5 serial numbers 597, 598 and 599 are converted from Ariane 5ES to Ariane 5ECA+ version?

Offline zubenelgenubi

  • Global Moderator
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 11181
  • Arc to Arcturus, then Spike to Spica
  • Sometimes it feels like Trantor in the time of Hari Seldon
  • Liked: 7404
  • Likes Given: 72484
Re: Final Ariane 5 ECA+ launches
« Reply #2 on: 12/15/2020 03:49 pm »
Cross-post; same as the earlier "undisclosed operator?":
Eutelsat entrusts Arianespace with the launch of its next-generation EUTELSAT 10B satellite

December 15, 2020

Arianespace and Eutelsat have confirmed that EUTELSAT 10B, Eutelsat’s next generation high-throughput telecommunications satellite, will be launched on an Ariane 5 rocket.

EUTELSAT 10B is scheduled for launch in 2022 on one of eight Ariane 5 missions remaining to be performed with the heavy-lift launcher.

Arianespace, the European launch services provider, has confirmed that it will launch a new satellite – EUTELSAT 10B – for Eutelsat, one of the world’s leading satellite operators.

The launch is scheduled from the Guiana Space Centre on an Ariane 5 in 2022.

EUTELSAT 10B is a telecommunications satellite to be positioned at the 10° East orbital position, offering unique visibility spanning from the Americas to Asia. Built by Thales Alenia Space and based on its Spacebus NEO all-electric platform, it will embark Ku- and C-band payloads to ensure service continuity for existing customers on EUTELSAT 10A, while supporting the development of the Eutelsat Group’s activities in mobile connectivity thanks to two incremental multi-beam HTS Ku-band payloads.

Pascal Homsy, Eutelsat’s Chief Technical Officer, said: “We are pleased to entrust the launch of EUTELSAT 10B to our long-standing partner, Arianespace, further cementing the relationship between our two companies and reflecting our confidence in Ariane 5 providing us with access to space.”

“We are honored by Eutelsat’s renewed trust in Arianespace’s launch services solutions,” said Stéphane Israël, CEO of Arianespace. “Not only does this contract illustrate the long-lasting partnership between our two companies and the robustness of our relationship, it also demonstrates the competitiveness of Ariane 5 within the demanding market of geostationary telecommunications satellites. With this latest announcement, Ariane 5 has secured almost all its final series of launches, in advance of the handover to Ariane 6 with the same success.”
« Last Edit: 12/15/2020 03:56 pm by zubenelgenubi »
Support your local planetarium! (COVID-panic and forward: Now more than ever.) My current avatar is saying "i wants to go uppies!" Yes, there are God-given rights. Do you wish to gainsay the Declaration of Independence?

Offline Rik ISS-fan

  • Full Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 1520
  • the Netherlands
  • Liked: 617
  • Likes Given: 211
Re: Final Ariane 5 ECA+ launches
« Reply #3 on: 12/16/2020 08:13 pm »
How do you know all remaining A5 ECA launches are ECA+, or PC batch?
AFAIK this is not the case, or some of the PB+ A5 ECA were already ECA+. Can someone share more info on this.

Arianespace, January 9, 2018
Arianespace and ArianeGroup kick off production for the final 10 Ariane 5 launchers across Europe’s space industry in parallel to the operational debut of Ariane 6
Quote
With this latest order, there are now 23 Ariane 5 launchers in production or to be produced, from the PB+ and PC batches. With this latest “PC batch,” the industry confirms its commitment to consolidate the competitiveness of the European launch offer even before the arrival of Ariane 6.

ArianeGroup and its Arianespace subsidiary have announced an order for 10 Ariane 5 ECA launchers.
The 10 launch vehicles covered by this “PC batch” will be deployed from the Guiana Space Center beginning in 2020, coming after the launches of 18 Ariane 5s ordered in 2013 (in the “PB+ batch”).
AFAIK the PB+ batch was 15 A5 ECA and 3x A5 ES (Galileo).
Later the PC batch has been reduced to 8.  Or did the size of the PB+ batch shrink and BC batch increase but in total two less launchers?

Offline Josh_from_Canada

  • Full Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 544
  • Saskatchewan Canada
  • Liked: 584
  • Likes Given: 182
Re: Final Ariane 5 ECA+ launches
« Reply #4 on: 12/16/2020 08:33 pm »
Cross-post; same as the earlier "undisclosed operator?":

I don't think so. It may be a satellite from this contract originally scheduled for Ariane 6 that got moved to Ariane 5. https://www.arianespace.com/press-release/eutelsat-signs-long-term-multiple-launch-service-agreement-with-arianespace/
« Last Edit: 12/16/2020 08:41 pm by Josh_from_Canada »
Launches Seen: Atlas V OA-7, Falcon 9 Starlink 6-4, Falcon 9 CRS-28,

Offline PM3

  • Full Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 1481
  • Germany
  • Liked: 1840
  • Likes Given: 1300
Re: Final Ariane 5 ECA+ launches
« Reply #5 on: 12/23/2020 10:52 pm »
"Never, never be afraid of the truth." -- Jim Bridenstine

Offline GWR64

  • Full Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 1786
  • Germany
  • Liked: 1697
  • Likes Given: 1042
Re: Final Ariane 5 ECA+ launches
« Reply #6 on: 01/10/2021 12:34 pm »
The name of the 6th "upper" payload for the final Ariane 5 GTO launches is still unknown.
Why this secret?
And Eutelsat remains silent when it comes to specifying the launch provider for Hotbird 13F, 13G and Konnect VHTS.

https://www.eutelsat.com/files/PDF/investors/2020-21/Investor%20presentation%20Jan%202021.pdf

Offline zubenelgenubi

  • Global Moderator
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 11181
  • Arc to Arcturus, then Spike to Spica
  • Sometimes it feels like Trantor in the time of Hari Seldon
  • Liked: 7404
  • Likes Given: 72484
Re: Final Ariane 5 ECA+ launches
« Reply #7 on: 01/19/2021 07:16 pm »
Cross-posts:
Planned launches:
Date - Satellite(s) - Rocket - Launch Site - Time (UTC)

2021
May March 4 - Star One D2, Eutelsat Quantum - Ariane 5 ECA+ (VA254) - Kourou ELA-3

Mid-August Q3 - SES-17, Ovzon-3 - Ariane 5 ECA+ (VA255) - Kourou ELA-3
Q4 - Ovzon-3 - Ariane 5 ECA - Kourou ELA-3

October 31 - JWST (James Webb Space Telescope) - Ariane 5 ECA+ (VA256) - Kourou ELA-3

December - MEASAT-3d, Syracuse 4A (Comsat-NG 1) - Ariane 5 ECA+ (VA257) - Kourou ELA-3 (or January 2022)

Q4 - Ovzon-3 - Ariane 5 ECA - Kourou ELA-3
Late - Syracuse 4A (Comsat-NG 1) - Ariane 5 ECA - Kourou ELA-3

Changes on January 10th
Changes on January 21st

I got some information about the flights for this year:

<snips>
VA254 - Officially March 4th (most likely late May or June, due to delays related to new modifications to the launcher fairing)
VA255 - Mid-August, IF the VA254 campaign is not delayed any further
VA256 - Officially October 31st, with JWST

There may be another Ariane 5 flight this year, but it's unlikely.

Edited
« Last Edit: 02/16/2021 09:00 pm by zubenelgenubi »
Support your local planetarium! (COVID-panic and forward: Now more than ever.) My current avatar is saying "i wants to go uppies!" Yes, there are God-given rights. Do you wish to gainsay the Declaration of Independence?

Offline zubenelgenubi

  • Global Moderator
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 11181
  • Arc to Arcturus, then Spike to Spica
  • Sometimes it feels like Trantor in the time of Hari Seldon
  • Liked: 7404
  • Likes Given: 72484
Re: Final Ariane 5 ECA+ launches
« Reply #8 on: 02/16/2021 08:49 pm »
The name of the 6th "upper" payload for the final Ariane 5 GTO launches is still unknown.
Why this secret?
And Eutelsat remains silent when it comes to specifying the launch provider for Hotbird 13F, 13G and Konnect VHTS.

https://www.eutelsat.com/files/PDF/investors/2020-21/Investor%20presentation%20Jan%202021.pdf

Still are silent; cross-posting your post at: https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=6114.msg2192719#msg2192719

(Attachment is a page from the January 2021 Eutelsat investors' presentation linked above.)
« Last Edit: 06/19/2021 08:55 am by zubenelgenubi »
Support your local planetarium! (COVID-panic and forward: Now more than ever.) My current avatar is saying "i wants to go uppies!" Yes, there are God-given rights. Do you wish to gainsay the Declaration of Independence?

Offline CLE

  • Member
  • Posts: 29
  • Liked: 41
  • Likes Given: 1
Re: Final Ariane 5 ECA+ launches
« Reply #9 on: 02/18/2021 06:26 am »
According to various sources in India GSAT-24 is to be launched by Arianespace, sometime this fall....:

"GSAT-24 will be a 4.1 ton communications satellite that will put 24 Ku-band transponders into space to be used for DTH services. “The cost of the satellite is 400 million rupees and NSIL will launch it through Arianespace. The launch is expected to occur sometime in September, ”Sivan said."
https://truthdive.com/2021/02/18/space-psu-nsil-to-launch-satellite-for-tatasky-india-news/

The launch date seems doubtful, though.

Offline Josh_from_Canada

  • Full Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 544
  • Saskatchewan Canada
  • Liked: 584
  • Likes Given: 182
Re: Final Ariane 5 ECA+ launches
« Reply #10 on: 02/19/2021 06:58 am »
This might be the undisclosed operator mentioned earlier in the thread.
According to various sources in India GSAT-24 is to be launched by Arianespace, sometime this fall....:

"GSAT-24 will be a 4.1 ton communications satellite that will put 24 Ku-band transponders into space to be used for DTH services. “The cost of the satellite is 400 million rupees and NSIL will launch it through Arianespace. The launch is expected to occur sometime in September, ”Sivan said."
https://truthdive.com/2021/02/18/space-psu-nsil-to-launch-satellite-for-tatasky-india-news/

The launch date seems doubtful, though.
Launches Seen: Atlas V OA-7, Falcon 9 Starlink 6-4, Falcon 9 CRS-28,

Offline GWR64

  • Full Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 1786
  • Germany
  • Liked: 1697
  • Likes Given: 1042
Re: Final Ariane 5 ECA+ launches
« Reply #11 on: 02/19/2021 07:26 am »
According to various sources in India GSAT-24 is to be launched by Arianespace, sometime this fall....:

"GSAT-24 will be a 4.1 ton communications satellite that will put 24 Ku-band transponders into space to be used for DTH services. “The cost of the satellite is 400 million rupees and NSIL will launch it through Arianespace. The launch is expected to occur sometime in September, ”Sivan said."
https://truthdive.com/2021/02/18/space-psu-nsil-to-launch-satellite-for-tatasky-india-news/

The launch date seems doubtful, though.

About GSAT-24 I find this: Section 9

https://www.itu.int/dms_pub/itu-r/md/00/cr/cir/R00-CR-CIR-0473!!PDF-E.pdf

Very nebulous.
The information from India about the GSAT-20 launch was also very confusing at the time.

Offline zubenelgenubi

  • Global Moderator
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 11181
  • Arc to Arcturus, then Spike to Spica
  • Sometimes it feels like Trantor in the time of Hari Seldon
  • Liked: 7404
  • Likes Given: 72484
Re: Final Ariane 5 ECA+ launches
« Reply #12 on: 03/12/2021 09:09 pm »
Cross-post; final 8 Ariane 5 ECA+ launches:
Launched:
№ – Date - Satellite(s) - Rocket - Launch Site - Time (UTC)

2021
July 30 May NET June NET early NET 16 27 - Star One D2, Eutelsat Quantum - Ariane 5 ECA+ (VA254) - Kourou ELA-3 - 21:00 21:00-22:30

Planned launches:
Date - Satellite(s) - Rocket - Launch Site - Time (UTC)

2021
Late September mid-August August Q4 - SES-17, Syracuse-4A Ovzon-3 or Syracuse-4A - Ariane 5 ECA+ (VA255 VA255 VA257?) - Kourou ELA-3

Late November October 31 NET November NET mid - JWST (James Webb Space Telescope) - Ariane 5 ECA+ (VA256 VA256 VA256?) - Kourou ELA-3

H2 - Eutelsat Hotbird 13F - Ariane 5 ECA+ (TBD) - Kourou ELA-3 (or Falcon 9)

2022
May 22-June 10 - JUICE - Ariane 5 ECA+ - Kourou ELA-3

January/H1 H2 2021 NET September 2021 Q3 2021 TBD/NET mid-December 2021 TBD/NET mid-December 2021-January 2022 TBD/NET late-December 2021-January 2022 - Eutelsat Hotbird 13F, GSAT-24 Eutelsat Hotbird 13F (TBD) - Ariane 5 ECA+ GSLV MkIII (VA257? VA256? VA255) - Kourou ELA-3 Sriharikota SLP

H1 NET Q2 H1 TBD? - Eutelsat Hotbird 13G Eutelsat Hotbird 13F, Eutelsat Hotbird 13G - Ariane 5 ECA+ Ariane 5 ECA+ / Ariane 64 - Kourou ELA-3 Kourou ELA-3 / ELA-4 (or Falcon 9)

H1 H1 H2? - Eutelsat Konnect VHTS - Ariane 5 ECA+ / Ariane 64 - Kourou ELA-3 / ELA-4 (or Falcon 9)

NET Q3 - [Galaxy 35, Galaxy 36] - Ariane 5 ECA+ - Kourou ELA-3

H2 - Eutelsat 10B - Ariane 5 ECA+ - Kourou ELA-3

NLT end of year September - MTG-I1 - Ariane 5 ECA+ - Kourou ELA-3

TBD mid-August or Q4 2021 August or Q4 2021 TBD 2022 or Q4 2021 - Ovzon-3 SES-17 or MEASAT-3d - Ariane 5 ECA+ (TBD VA255 or VA257 VA257?) - Kourou ELA-3

TBD December 2021 or January 2022 - MEASAT-3d, Syracuse 4A (Comsat-NG 1) Ovzon-3 - Ariane 5 ECA+ (TBD VA257 VA258?) - Kourou ELA-3

TBD Midyear 2022 - Syracuse 4B (Comsat-NG 2) - Ariane 5 ECA+ - Kourou ELA-3

TBD - Syracuse-4A (Comsat-NG 1) MEASAT-3d SES-17 - Ariane 5 ECA+ (VA257 or VA255 TBD) - Kourou ELA-3

TBD - GSAT-20 - GSLV MkIII Ariane 5 ECA+ GSLV MkIII - Sriharikota SLP Kourou ELA-3 Sriharikota SLP

2023
TBD TBD 2022 - Heinrich Hertz (H2Sat) - Ariane 5 ECA+ / Ariane 64 - Kourou ELA-3 / ELA-4

Changes on February 16th
Changes on February 18th
Changes on February 22nd
Changes on March 9th
Changes on March 17th
Changes on March 19th
Changes on March 23rd
Changes on March 31st
Changes on April 23rd
Changes on May 6th
Changes on May 12th
Changes on May 26th
Changes on May 28th
Changes on June 7th
Changes on June 18th
Changes on July 2nd
Changes on July 18th
Changes on July 20th
Changes on July 30th
« Last Edit: 10/14/2021 02:10 am by zubenelgenubi »
Support your local planetarium! (COVID-panic and forward: Now more than ever.) My current avatar is saying "i wants to go uppies!" Yes, there are God-given rights. Do you wish to gainsay the Declaration of Independence?

Offline GWR64

  • Full Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 1786
  • Germany
  • Liked: 1697
  • Likes Given: 1042
Re: Final Ariane 5 ECA+ launches
« Reply #13 on: 03/13/2021 09:05 am »
Thoughts:

Galaxy 35/36 is a stacked pair of satellites. (similar to Galaxy 31/32 on Falcon 9)
I count this as one upper payload. In addition, there would be a third satellite at this launch.

The two Hotbird satellites are large, despite their weight of 4.5 t and will probably not fit under the Sylda.

There are too many payloads for the 8 rockets. We have to wait for clear information.  :(
« Last Edit: 03/13/2021 09:17 am by GWR64 »

Offline PM3

  • Full Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 1481
  • Germany
  • Liked: 1840
  • Likes Given: 1300
Re: Final Ariane 5 ECA+ launches
« Reply #14 on: 03/13/2021 05:55 pm »
Ovzon 3 is lightweight, just 1.5 tons. Couldn't this launch in a three-satellite configuration, like VA253?
"Never, never be afraid of the truth." -- Jim Bridenstine

Offline Skyrocket

  • Extreme Veteran
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2631
  • Frankfurt am Main, Germany
  • Liked: 940
  • Likes Given: 172
Re: Final Ariane 5 ECA+ launches
« Reply #15 on: 03/13/2021 10:41 pm »
Ovzon 3 is lightweight, just 1.5 tons. Couldn't this launch in a three-satellite configuration, like VA253?

Unlikely, as Ariane-5 has no generic 3 sat launch configuration. Galaxy 30 and MEV-2 were launched as a single payload. These were both from the same manufacturer with MEV-2 being built as a load bearing payload where another satellite could be stacked upon.
This is not possible for any other payloads except (likely) Galaxy 35/36, which are planned to be launched later than Ovzon 3.

Offline zubenelgenubi

  • Global Moderator
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 11181
  • Arc to Arcturus, then Spike to Spica
  • Sometimes it feels like Trantor in the time of Hari Seldon
  • Liked: 7404
  • Likes Given: 72484
Re: Final Ariane 5 ECA+ launches
« Reply #16 on: 03/24/2021 03:07 am »
Cross-post:
EUMETSAT and Arianespace confirm the launch of two Meteosat Third Generation satellites with Ariane 6
March 23, 2021
<snip>
[Arianespace and EUMETSAT] also confirmed that Arianespace will place into orbit the MTG-I1 satellite with an Ariane 5 launcher by the end of 2022.
« Last Edit: 03/24/2021 03:07 am by zubenelgenubi »
Support your local planetarium! (COVID-panic and forward: Now more than ever.) My current avatar is saying "i wants to go uppies!" Yes, there are God-given rights. Do you wish to gainsay the Declaration of Independence?

Offline GWR64

  • Full Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 1786
  • Germany
  • Liked: 1697
  • Likes Given: 1042
Re: Final Ariane 5 ECA+ launches
« Reply #17 on: 04/24/2021 11:03 am »
In the Vega VV18 Launch Kit, the last (previously secret) upper payload for the 6 remaining Ariane 5 GTO launches is named: Eutelsat Konnect VHTS.

So possible order: Star One D2, SES-17, Eutelsat Konnect VHTS, Measat-3d, Stack of Galaxy 35/36, Eutelsat-10B

A 7th GTO launch is possible if JUICE misses both launch windows in 2022. I hope not. Which would be a disaster.
The Ariane 64 will probably not be available at this time.
« Last Edit: 04/24/2021 01:07 pm by GWR64 »

Offline zubenelgenubi

  • Global Moderator
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 11181
  • Arc to Arcturus, then Spike to Spica
  • Sometimes it feels like Trantor in the time of Hari Seldon
  • Liked: 7404
  • Likes Given: 72484
Re: Final Ariane 5 ECA+ launches
« Reply #18 on: 04/24/2021 06:42 pm »
In the Vega VV18 Launch Kit, the last (previously secret) upper payload for the 6 remaining Ariane 5 GTO launches is named: Eutelsat Konnect VHTS.
Based on the deduction that Ariane 64 will not be ready for launch in the first half of 2022, and the assumption that the launch of Eutelsat Konnect VHTS will not wait for Ariane 64 to be ready?

The first Ariane 6 flight, a 62, is now scheduled for the second quarter of 2022.
« Last Edit: 04/24/2021 06:57 pm by zubenelgenubi »
Support your local planetarium! (COVID-panic and forward: Now more than ever.) My current avatar is saying "i wants to go uppies!" Yes, there are God-given rights. Do you wish to gainsay the Declaration of Independence?

Offline GWR64

  • Full Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 1786
  • Germany
  • Liked: 1697
  • Likes Given: 1042
Re: Final Ariane 5 ECA+ launches
« Reply #19 on: 04/24/2021 07:39 pm »


The first Ariane 6 flight, a 62, is now scheduled for the second quarter of 2022.

That seems to be out of date.

Quote
Ariane 6’s maiden launch

The European Space Agency expects to conduct the first launch of Ariane 6, new-generation carrier rocket, in the second half of 2022, according to Josef Aschbacher.

"The maiden flight of Ariane 6 is scheduled for next year, we are currently discussing the matter. There is no clear date yet, but it will most likely happen around the second half of next year. We will decide within a couple of weeks," he said.
https://tass.com/science/1275221

After that, a few more months will pass up to the first Ariane 64. so 2023

Currently, Eutelsat writes sometimes end of 2021, sometimes the first half of 2022, as launch period for Konnect VHTS.
« Last Edit: 04/24/2021 07:40 pm by GWR64 »

Tags:
 

Advertisement NovaTech
Advertisement Northrop Grumman
Advertisement
Advertisement Margaritaville Beach Resort South Padre Island
Advertisement Brady Kenniston
Advertisement NextSpaceflight
Advertisement Nathan Barker Photography
0