Author Topic: LIVE: Ariane 5 ECA - Nilesat 201 & Rascom-QAF 1R - 4 August 2010  (Read 36729 times)

Offline satlaunch

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http://www.arianespace.com/news-mission-update/2010/694.asp

"Arianespace’s third Ariane 5 for liftoff in 2010 is beginning to take shape in the Launcher Integration Building at the Spaceport.  Its build-up process began on June 8 with the erection of Ariane 5’s core cryogenic stage, which subsequently will be fitted with the two solid propellant boosters and upper composite – which consists of the cryogenic upper stage and equipment bay.  This Ariane 5 will orbit the RASCOM-QAF 1R and NILESAT 201 telecommunications payloads."
« Last Edit: 08/04/2010 03:24 pm by Chris Bergin »

Offline satlaunch

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Re: Ariane 5 ECA - Nilesat 201 & Rascom-QAF 1R - July 2010
« Reply #1 on: 06/18/2010 07:42 pm »
The third Ariane 5 for launch in 2010 completes its basic assembly
June 18, 2010 – Ariane Flight V196

Initial assembly of the third Ariane 5 to be launched in 2010 has been completed at the Spaceport as its ESC-A upper stage and vehicle equipment bay are now installed atop the vehicle’s cryogenic core stage.

Build-up of the heavy-lift Ariane 5 was performed in the Spaceport’s Launcher Integration Building.  It is now being readied for transfer to the Final Assembly Building, which currently is occupied an by Ariane 5 scheduled for liftoff next Wednesday with the Arabsat-5A and COMS passengers on Arianespace’s second flight of 2010.

For the year’s third mission of 2010, this latest Ariane 5 is to carry the RASCOM-QAF 1R and NILESAT 201 telecommunications payloads.

Arianespace is targeting a total of six-to-seven Ariane 5 missions this year, maintaining a sustained flight rate for the workhorse launch vehicle.

The first launch of 2010 occurred on May 21, orbiting the ASTRA 3B and COMSATBw-2 satellites on Ariane 5’s milestone 50th mission.

http://www.arianespace.com/news-mission-update/2010/695.asp

Offline satlaunch

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Two Thales Alenia Space communications satellites arrive at launch site
30 June 2010

Cannes, June 30, 2010 – The Nilesat-201 and RASCOM-QAF1R satellites, built by Thales Alenia Space as prime contractor for Nilesat and RascomStar-QAF, respectively, have arrived at the Guiana Space Center in Kourou, French Guiana, for final preparations leading up to an Ariane 5 launch this summer.

Nilesat-201 will enable the Egyptian satellite operator Nilesat to deliver digital Direct to Home (DTH) TV and radio broadcasting and high-speed data transmission services to North Africa and the Middle East starting in September 2010.

Built on a Spacebus 4000B2 platform, Nilesat-201 is fitted with 24 Ku-band and 4 Ka-band transponders. It will be positioned at 7 degrees West longitude  and offers a design life of 15 years. Weight at launch will be about 3,200 kg, and it will generate 5.9 kW of power at end-of-life.

RASCOM-QAF1R will ensure service continuity for the operator RascomStar-QAF and its customers, by giving Africa access to advanced communications and information technologies, in particular rural telephony.

Based on the Spacebus 4000B3 platform, the RASCOM-QAF1R satellite Is equipped with 24 equivalent 36 MHz transponders in both Ku-band and C-band. It will weigh about 3,050 kg at launch, and provide 6.4 kW of power at end-of-life. Positioned at 2.9 degrees East longitude, RASCOM-QAF1R will cover the African continent, as well as parts of Europe and the Middle East.

http://www.thalesgroup.com/Pages/PressRelease.aspx?id=13194

Offline jacqmans

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July 1, 2010 – Ariane Flight V196

The two payloads for Arianespace’s next Ariane 5 mission are now at the Spaceport following their dual delivery to French Guiana this week.

A chartered An-124 cargo jetliner arrived at Cayenne’s Rochambeau International Airport with the Nilesat-201 and RASCOM-QAF1R spacecraft, both of which were built by Thales Alenia Space as prime contractor for their respective customers: Nilesat and RascomStar-QAF.

The two satellites were transferred by road from the airport to the Spaceport, where they will begin their pre-launch checkout for a scheduled August 3 liftoff.

Nilesat-201 will enable the Egyptian satellite operator Nilesat to deliver digital Direct-to-Home (DTH) TV and radio broadcasting, along with high-speed data transmission services, to North Africa and the Middle East. 

Utilizing a Spacebus 4000B2 platform, this relay platform is equipped with 24 Ku-band and 4 Ka-band transponders. Its launch mass will be approximately 3,200 kg., and after its deployment by Ariane 5, the satellite will be positioned at an orbital slot of 7 degrees West longitude for a 15-year design operating lifetime.

The RASCOM-QAF1R spacecraft will ensure service continuity for the RascomStar-QAF operator and its customers, providing African access to advanced communications and information technologies – in particular rural telephony.

RASCOM-QAF1R is based on the Spacebus 4000B3 platform, and is equipped with 24 equivalent 36 MHz transponders in both Ku-band and C-band.  Weighing an estimated 3,050 kg. at launch, RASCOM-QAF1R will cover the African continent, as well as parts of Europe and the Middle East, from an orbital slot of 2.9 degrees East longitude.

The August 3 mission will be Ariane 5’s third flight of 2010.  It follows the June 26 mission that orbited the Arabsat-5A and COMS satellites, and the May 21 launch with ASTRA 3B and COMSATBw-2.

http://www.arianespace.com/news-mission-update/2010/706.asp
Jacques :-)

Offline Lewis007

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The Nilesat-201 and RASCOM-QAF1R satellite passengers for Arianespace’s third heavy-lift Ariane 5 ECA launch of 2010 have begun final checkout in preparation for their planned August 3 liftoff from the Spaceport in French Guiana.

These spacecraft have completed the fit-check milestones, which validate the compatibility with adapters that serve as their interface for the Ariane 5’s dual-payload “stack.” 

The two satellites were produced by Thales Alenia Space, and the fit-check activity was performed with both spacecraft inside the S5B integration hall of the Spaceport’s large S5 payload preparation facility.

Source:  http://www.arianespace.com/news-mission-update/2010/707.asp

Offline satlaunch

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Planned launch time 20:45 UTC according to http://www.cnes-csg.fr/web/CNES-CSG-fr/5422-prochain-vol-.php

Offline satlaunch

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http://www.arianespace.com/news/mission-status.asp now states 4 August as launch date.

Offline satlaunch

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Per countdown clock at http://www.videocorner.tv/index.htm launch time is 20:25 UTC.

Offline Stephan

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Per countdown clock at http://www.videocorner.tv/index.htm launch time is 20:25 UTC.
I think it's webcast time (lauch time minus 20 minutes)

Arianespace launch kit is available :
http://www.arianespace.com/images/launch-kits/launch-kit-pdf-eng/NILESAT201-RASCOM-GB.pdf
Best regards, Stephan

Offline satlaunch

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Per countdown clock at http://www.videocorner.tv/index.htm launch time is 20:25 UTC.
I think it's webcast time (lauch time minus 20 minutes)

Arianespace launch kit is available :
http://www.arianespace.com/images/launch-kits/launch-kit-pdf-eng/NILESAT201-RASCOM-GB.pdf

Looks like you are right!

Offline satlaunch

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Re: Ariane 5 ECA - Nilesat 201 & Rascom-QAF 1R - 4 August 2010
« Reply #10 on: 07/27/2010 12:18 pm »
Ariane 5 is ready for its payload integration in advance of next week's launch
July 26, 2010 – Ariane Flight V196

http://www.arianespace.com/news-mission-update/2010/708.asp

The Ariane 5 for Arianespace’s third mission in 2010 is ready to enter the final launch preparation phase, during which this heavy-lift vehicle will receive its dual-satellite payload.

Scheduled for liftoff from the Spaceport on August 4, this Ariane 5 ECA will carry a pair of Thales Alenia Space-produced spacecraft: NILESAT 201 and RASCOM-QAF1R. Both satellites have been undergoing processing following their June arrival in French Guiana.

The upcoming mission is designated V196, signifying the 196th launch of an Ariane family vehicle.  The Ariane 5 for this flight was delivered to Arianespace earlier this month by EADS Astrium, which is the heavy-lift vehicle’s industrial prime contractor.  Astrium performed the Ariane 5’s build-up in the Spaceport’s Launcher Integration Building, and then transferred it to the Final Assembly Building, where it was received by Arianespace.

Riding as the flight’s upper passenger for the August 4 mission, NILESAT 201 will be deployed first in the launch sequence – to ultimately be positioned at an orbital slot of 7 degrees West longitude.

The satellite will deliver digital Direct-to-Home (DTH) TV and radio broadcasting – along with high-speed data transmission services – to North Africa and the Middle East at the service of Egyptian satellite operator Nilesat. Utilizing a Spacebus 4000B2 platform, this relay platform is equipped with 24 Ku-band and 4 Ka-band transponders. NILESAT 201 will weigh nearly 3,200 kg. at launch.

NILESAT 201 is to be installed atop the Ariane 5 SYLDA dual-payload dispenser system, positioning it over this mission’s lower passenger, RASCOM-QAF1R.

With a launch mass of approximately 3,000 kg., RASCOM-QAF1R will cover the African continent, as well as parts of Europe and the Middle East, from an orbital slot of 2.85 degrees East. It is based on the Spacebus 4000B3 platform, and is equipped with 12 Ku-band and 8 C-band transponders. 

This spacecraft will ensure service continuity for the RascomStar-QAF operator and its customers, providing African access to advanced communications and information technologies – in particular rural telephony.


Offline Chris Bergin

ARIANESPACE FLIGHT - NILESAT 201 & RASCOM-QAF1R

THE LAUNCH READINESS REVIEW (RAL) took place in Kourou and authorized count-down operations for the NILESAT 201 & RASCOM-QAF1R.

For its third launch of the year, Arianespace will orbit the NILESAT 201 direct broadcast satellite for the Egyptian operator Nilesat, and the RASCOM-QAF1R communications satellite for pan-African operator RascomStar-QAF. Both satellites were built by Thales Alenia Space.

The choice of Arianespace by leading space communications operators and manufacturers is clear international recognition of the company’s excellence in launch services.
It will be launched from the Ariane launch complex N° 3 (ELA3), in Kourou, French Guiana.
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Offline bolun

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Re: Ariane 5 ECA - Nilesat 201 & Rascom-QAF 1R - 4 August 2010
« Reply #12 on: 08/03/2010 08:13 pm »
Mission updates

Ariane 5 is cleared for its launch with NILESAT 201 and RASCOM-QAF1R

August 2, 2010 – Ariane Flight V196

Arianespace’s third heavy-lift flight of 2010 has been authorized for its August 4 liftoff following today’s launch readiness review at the Spaceport in French Guiana.

The review is performed prior to each Ariane 5 mission, ensuring that the launch vehicle and its payload are flight-ready, along with the Spaceport’s infrastructure and the network of downrange tracking stations.

This go-ahead also clears Ariane 5 for its roll-out tomorrow from the Final Assembly Building to the ELA-3 launch zone.

http://www.arianespace.com/news-mission-update/2010/710.asp

Ready for liftoff: Ariane 5 rolls out to the launch zone for its dual-payload flight

August 3, 2010

 
The workhorse Ariane 5 for tomorrow’s evening mission from French Guiana is now poised for liftoff following its rollout to the Spaceport’s ELA-3 launch zone.

The heavy-lift vehicle was transferred to the launch pad this morning under sunny skies, emerging at 11:00 a.m. local time from the Final Assembly Building – where the Ariane 5 ECA version had been fitted with a pair of Thales Alenia Space-produced satellite payloads: NILESAT 201 and RASCOM-QAF1R.

This step clears the way for final preparations and the countdown to liftoff, which will take place during a 109-minute launch window that opens at 5:45 p.m. local time in French Guiana on August 4.

Riding as the upper passenger in Ariane 5’s payload “stack” is NILESAT 201, which will be released at just under 29 minutes into the flight.  Utilizing a Spacebus 4000B2 platform, this relay platform for Egyptian operator Nilesat features 24 Ku-band and 4 Ka-band transponders, and will weigh approximately 3,200 kg. at launch.

RASCOM-QAF1R – which has a liftoff mass of about 3,050 kg. – will be deployed from Ariane 5’s lower passenger position at approximately 33 minutes into the flight.  This spacecraft will ensure service continuity for the RascomStar-QAF operator and its customers, providing African access to advanced communications and information technologies. It is based on the Spacebus 4000B3 platform, and is equipped with 12 Ku-band and 8 C-band transponders.   

Tomorrow’s mission is designated V196, signifying the 196th launch of an Ariane family vehicle since 1979.

The August 4 mission also will be Ariane 5’s third flight of 2010, which follows two previous dual-payload launches: the June 26 mission that orbited the Arabsat-5A and COMS spacecraft, and the May 21 launch with ASTRA 3B and COMSATBw-2.

http://www.arianespace.com/news-mission-update/2010/711.asp
« Last Edit: 08/04/2010 01:18 pm by jacqmans »

Offline jcm

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Offline rweede

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Re: Ariane 5 ECA - Nilesat 201 & Rascom-QAF 1R - 4 August 2010
« Reply #14 on: 08/04/2010 12:03 pm »
Sometimes I wonder if there is an internal Arianespace check list for buzzwords that simply have to be included in all of their press releases ... starting with "workhorse".  ;)

Roland

Offline Chris Bergin

Moved for live coverage. Launch preview will be on a few hours prior to the window opening.
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Offline bolun

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The third Ariane 5 flight of 2010 enters its final countdown

August 4, 2010

Arianespace has begun the final countdown for this evening’s Ariane 5 dual-payload mission from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana.

Activities began at the Spaceport with this morning’s electrical systems checkout, and are being followed by the fueling of Ariane 5’s cryogenic main stage.

This is the third Ariane 5 mission in 2010, and it will orbit a pair of Thales Alenia Space-produced satellites:  NILESAT 201 and RASCOM-QAF1R. Liftoff is scheduled during a launch window that opens at 5:45 p.m. and continues to 8:34 p.m., local time in French Guiana.

NILESAT 201 will be deployed first in the flight sequence, with its release scheduled at 28 min. 44 sec. into the mission – followed by RASCOM-QAF1R’s separation from the launcher approximately 33 minutes after liftoff, which will mark the mission’s completion.

After being orbited by Ariane 5, NILESAT 201 will be utilized by Egyptian satellite operator Nilesat to deliver digital Direct-to-Home (DTH) TV and radio broadcasting – along with high-speed data transmission services – to North Africa and the Middle East.

RASCOM-QAF1R will ensure service continuity for its operator, RascomStar-QAF, providing African access to advanced communications and information technologies – in particular rural telephony.

http://www.arianespace.com/news-mission-update/2010/712.asp

Offline Lewis007

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For those interested: the launch poster for the mission (Arianespace) and launch sticker (Kourou launch center).

Offline Nicolas PILLET

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There is a new SYLDA5 ("K" family) on this flight. The length has been increased from 6,4m to 7m.
Nicolas PILLET
Kosmonavtika : The French site on Russian Space

Offline Chris Bergin

Webcast in 5 mins.
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