LIVE: Ariane Flight VA207 - MSG-3 & Jupiter/EchoStar XVII - July 5, 2012

[jacqmans]

MSG-3 satellite ready to continue weather-monitoring service

7 March 2012

International partners are looking ahead to the newest member in a series of weather satellites that deliver images to European forecasters: MSG-3 is set for launch this summer.
 
The Meteosat Second Generation (MSG) satellites are designed to improve weather prediction.

The first in the series, MSG-1 – also known as Meteosat-8 – was launched in 2002. MSG-2 followed three years later. Both have been successful in continuing the legacy of the operational meteorological satellites that started with Meteosat-1 in 1977.

http://www.esa.int/esaCP/SEMYAS7YBZG_index_0.html

[bolun]

Arianespace's mission pace is supported by delivery of the third Ariane 5 for launch in 2012

March 21, 2012 – Ariane Flight VA207

Three Ariane 5s are now in French Guiana following arrival of the heavy-lift launcher for Arianespace’s June launch, which will carry a broadband communications satellite with North American coverage and a European weather observation platform.

Elements for the latest Ariane 5 were delivered this week by the MN Colibri, which is one of two sea-going roll-on/roll-off cargo ships used by Arianespace in transporting launchers to its South American base of operations.

Ariane 5’s flight in June will orbit EchoStar XVII, a high-throughput satellite built by Space Systems/Loral for Hughes Network Systems, along with the Meteosat Second Generation-3 (MSG-3) meteorological spacecraft, manufactured by Thales Alenia Space for the European Space Agency and Eumetsat (the European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites).

Components carried aboard MN Colibri for the Ariane 5 mission included the launcher’s main cryogenic stage; its upper composite section – composed of the cryogenic upper stage and vehicle equipment bay; the SYLDA dual-satellite dispenser system, plus related integration hardware; and the payload fairing. 

The manufacturers of these launcher elements represent a cross-section of Ariane 5’s European industrial team, including Astrium in France, Germany and Madrid; as well as RUAG Space in Switzerland.

Arianespace’s flight in June with EchoStar XVII and MSG-3 will be designated VA207, signifying the 207th flight of an Ariane family launcher.  It will be the third Ariane 5 mission in 2012, following the liftoff of VA205 this Friday, March 23, with Europe’s third Automated Transfer Vehicle; and the VA206 flight, scheduled for mid-May with Japan’s JCSAT-13 broadcasting/communications satellite and the VINASAT-2 telecommunications relay spacecraft for Vietnam.

http://www.arianespace.com/news-mission-update/2012/892.asp

[satlaunch]

Another weather satellite payload is readied for launch by Arianespace
April 16, 2012 – Ariane Flight VA207

Europe’s latest second-generation meteorological spacecraft has arrived at the Spaceport, where it is being readied for Arianespace’s June 19 dual-payload Ariane 5 mission from French Guiana.

The Meteosat Second Generation-3 (MSG-3) satellite touched down at Cayenne’s Rochambeau/Félix Eboué International Airport on Friday, April 13, aboard a chartered Antonov An-124 cargo jetliner.  It was transferred by road to the Spaceport’s S5 payload preparation facility where this weather observation platform was removed from the shipping container on Saturday for a start-up of pre-launch checkout.

Arianespace’s mission with MSG-3 will mark the ninth Meteosat-series satellite launched by Ariane vehicles from French Guiana since 1981 for operation in geostationary orbit.  A total of six Meteosat First Generation meteorological platforms were orbited on flights performed in June 1981, June 1988, March 1989, March 1991, November 1993, and September 1997.  This was followed by the two second-generation spacecraft deployed in August 2002 and December 2005.

MSG-3 was manufactured by Thales Alenia Space for the European Space Agency (ESA) and EUMETSAT (the European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites), and it will be lofted along with EchoStar XVII on Arianespace’s third Ariane 5 mission of 2012 – marking the 207th Ariane-series vehicle flight (which has been designated VA207 in the company’s launcher family numbering system).

VA207 will be Arianespace’s third Ariane 5 mission in 2012, following the liftoff of VA205 on March 23 with Europe’s third Automated Transfer Vehicle, and the VA206 flight that is scheduled for May 15 with Japan’s JCSAT-13 broadcasting/communications satellite and the VINASAT-2 telecommunications relay spacecraft for Vietnam. 

While MSG-3 is being readied for its Ariane 5 liftoff from the Spaceport in French Guiana, another European weather satellite – MetOp-B – is undergoing preparation for a Soyuz launch to be performed by Arianespace’s Starsem facilitate from Kazakhstan’s Baikonur Cosmodrome on May 23.  MetOp-B is a polar-orbiting meteorological platform, and will join the MetOp-A spacecraft – launched by Starsem in October 2006 on another Soyuz mission from Baikonur Cosmodrome.

As with the Meteosat satellites, MetOp-A and MetOp-B were developed in a joint undertaking between ESA and EUMETSAT.  In this case, the cooperation covers the production and deployment of three such polar-orbiting satellites.

http://www.arianespace.com/news-mission-update/2012/900.asp

[bolun]

Assembly begins for the third Ariane 5 to be launched in 2012

April 23, 2012 – Ariane Flight VA207

The Ariane 5 for Arianespace’s third heavy-lift mission of 2012 is now taking shape at the Spaceport, using procedures that have become routine with this workhorse vehicle’s operations from French Guiana.
 
During activity inside the Spaceport’s Launcher Integration Building, the core cryogenic stage was removed from its protective shipping container and raised into position over one of two operational mobile launch tables available for Ariane 5. 

The pair of solid propellant boosters was then anchored to the launch table on each side of the core stage this weekend, readying them for mating to complete the vehicle’s initial assembly step. 

This Ariane 5 will be used on a flight scheduled for June 19 with Europe’s Meteosat Second Generation-3 (MSG-3) weather satellite for the European Space Agency and EUMETSAT (the European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites); along with  the EchoStar XVII high-throughput telecommunications platform for Hughes Network Systems.

http://www.arianespace.com/news-mission-update/2012/902.asp

[bolun]

Ariane 5 is provided its “brains” and the “kick” for Arianespace's third mission of 2012

April 27, 2012 – Ariane Flight VA207

Initial build-up of the Ariane 5 for Arianespace’s third heavy-lift mission in 2012 has reached a new milestone with integration of the “upper composite” – composed of its ESC-A cryogenic upper stage and the vehicle equipment bay that functions as the launcher’s “brains.”

The activity was performed this week in the Spaceport’s Launcher Integration Building at French Guiana, where the upper composite was installed as a single unit atop Ariane 5’s core cryogenic stage. 

Power for the ESC-A is provided by an HM-7B engine, whose reliability has been proven during years of service on Ariane 5 and with the predecessor Ariane 4 launcher series.  Located above the upper stage is Ariane 5’s vehicle equipment bay, containing the launcher’s onboard computers, inertial guidance units, sequencing electronics, power supplies and telemetry equipment.
 
When the assembled Ariane 5 completes its current check-out phase, it will be ready for transfer to the Spaceport’s Final Assembly Building, where it will be equipped with the mission’s dual-satellite payload: the Meteosat Second Generation-3 (MSG-3) weather satellite for EUMETSAT (the European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites); and the EchoStar XVII high-throughput telecommunications platform for Hughes Network Systems.
 
Liftoff of this mission is scheduled for June 19.   It will follow Arianespace’s May 15 launch of another Ariane 5, which currently is in the Spaceport’s Final Assembly Building awaiting integration of the mission’s JCSAT-13 and VINASAT-2 telecommunications satellites.

http://www.arianespace.com/news-mission-update/2012/904.asp

[bolun]

EchoStar XVII comes to French Guiana for a dual-payload Arianespace flight in June with Ariane 5

May 11, 2012 – Ariane Flight VA207

The initial passenger for Arianespace’s third Ariane 5 mission of 2012 is now in French Guiana for a heavy-lift launch scheduled for June 19 from the Spaceport.

A chartered An-124 cargo jetliner arrived this week at Cayenne’s Rochambeau/Félix Eboué International Airport with EchoStar XVII, which is a high-throughput telecommunications platform for Hughes Network Systems.

EchoStar XVII is based on Space Systems/Loral’s powerful SS/L 1300 satellite platform, and will deliver broadband services to consumers, businesses and government customers across North America. It employs a multi-spot beam, bent-pipe Ka-band architecture that provides significant additional capacity for Hughes.
 
The EchoStar XVII platform will be launched from the Spaceport in French Guiana along with the Meteosat Second Generation-3 (MSG-3) weather satellite for EUMETSAT (the European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites).
 
This upcoming dual payload mission will follow Arianespace’s launch of another Ariane 5, which will carry the JCSAT-13 and VINASAT-2 telecommunications satellites on May 15.

Arianespace began its 2012 Ariane 5 launch activity in March, when the workhorse vehicle performed its third resupply mission for the International Space Station by orbiting the Edoardo Amaldi Automated Transfer Vehicle.

http://www.arianespace.com/news-mission-update/2012/907.asp

[Lewis007]

Another photo, showing the Echostar satelllite loaded aboard the Antonov plane for its flight to Kourou.
(source: http://www.ssloral.com/html/pressreleases/pr20120514.html)

[jacqmans]

Europe’s MSG-3 weather satellite is prepared for the next Arianespace Ariane 5 mission
 
May 21, 2012 – Ariane Flight VA207

The Meteosat Second Generation-3 (MSG-3) spacecraft for Arianespace’s upcoming dual-passenger Ariane 5 mission is undergoing pre-launch processing at the Spaceport for a June 19 liftoff with the EchoStar XVII broadband services relay satellite.

Validations performed with MSG-3 in the Spaceport’s S5 payload preparation facility include checkout of the satellite’s solar panels, which are installed on eight curved panels around the exterior of this 3.2-meter diameter, spin-stabilized spacecraft.
 
MSG-3 will be the ninth Meteosat-series weather satellite launched by Ariane vehicles from French Guiana since 1981, and is the no. 3 spacecraft in the second-generation series – following the initial two orbited by Arianespace in August 2002 and December 2005.  They are the result of a joint undertaking of the European Space Agency and EUMETSAT (the European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites).
 
With a liftoff mass of approximately 2,000 kg., MSG-3 will operate in geostationary orbit after its deployment by Ariane 5, providing highly detailed imagery of Europe, the North Atlantic and Africa for use by meteorologists and national weather forecasters. 

The satellite’s primary instrument is the Spinning Enhanced Visible and Infra-red Imager (SEVIRI), which builds images of the Earth's surface and atmosphere in 12 different wavelengths once every 15 minutes.  Four of the 12 SEVIRI channels look at sunlight reflected from the Earth's surface and clouds, while the remaining eight are designed to monitor thermal infrared wavelengths.
 
Also carried on MSG-3 is the Geostationary Earth Radiation Budget (GERB) instrument for measurements of radiation originating on Earth from the Sun.  The payload is completed by a communications package for the rebroadcast of EUMETSAT data to end users' ground stations, as well as a search and rescue transponder for the international Cospas-Sarsat program.
 
MSG-3 was produced by an industry consortium led by Thales Alenia Space.
 
The launch of MSG-3 and its EchoStar XVII co-passenger will be on Arianespace’s third heavy-lift flight with Ariane 5 in 2012.  It follows the May 15 launch of two telecommunications satellites for Asia: JCSAT-13 and VINASAT-2; and the March 23 liftoff with Europe’s third Automated Transfer Vehicle for servicing of the International Space Station.

http://www.arianespace.com/news-mission-update/2012/912.asp

[bolun]

http://www.spacenews.com/satellite_telecom/120525-echostar17-launch-delay.html

The launch of the EchoStar 17 Ka-band broadband satellite, formerly called Jupiter, has been delayed for an undetermined amount of time to give manufacturer Space Systems/Loral time to make last-minute checks on the spacecraft, industry officials said.

EchoStar 17 had been set for a June 19 launch aboard a European Ariane 5 rocket. Europe’s MSG-3 geostationary-orbiting meteorological satellite will be a co-passenger on the same rocket.

Industry officials said that, as of May 25, there were indications that the issue could resolve itself in time for a late-June launch from Europe’s Guiana Space Center in French Guiana, on South America’s northeast coast.

[bolun]

Arianespace Launch VA207; Ariane 5 ECA – EchoStar XVII - MSG-3: Liftoff rescheduled for the night of Thursday 5 to Friday 6 July 2012
 
Evry, June 11, 2012
 
In order to allow one of its customers to perform complementary checks on its payload, Arianespace has rescheduled the launch of EchoStar XVII and MSG-3.
 
Liftoff of the Ariane 5 ECA launcher is now set for the night of Thursday 5 July, as early as possible in the following launch window:
 
- From 06:36 p.m. to 07:05 p.m. in Kourou, on Thursday 5 July,
- From 05:36 p.m. to 06:05 p.m. in Washington DC, on Thursday 5 July,
- From 09:36 p.m. to 10:05 p.m. UTC, on Thursday 5 July,
- From 11:36 p.m. to 12:05 a.m. in Paris and Darmstadt, on the night of Thursday 5 to Friday 6 July.

http://www.arianespace.com/news-press-release/2012/6-11-2012-VA207-launch-date.asp

[Chris Bergin]

Realigned the thread date:
http://www.esa.int/esaCP/SEMF5Y7X73H_index_0.html

[Lewis007]

A blog about the MSG-3 launch preps can be found here:
http://msg-3launchcampaign.blogspot.nl/

[Lewis007]

The fueling operation has started for the MSG-3 satellite.

See http://www.arianespace.com/news-mission-update/2012/916.asp

[Lewis007]

The MSG-3 sat, placed on its flight adaptor on June 22, was placed inside its CCU transport container on June 25, ready to be moved to the BAF for integration with the rocket.

source: http://msg-3launchcampaign.blogspot.nl/

[Lewis007]

MSG-3 was mated on top of the Ariane rocket on June 26.

Only screengrabs so far.
source: http://msg-3launchcampaign.blogspot.nl/

[bolun]

MSG-3 is integrated for Arianespace's upcoming dual-passenger Ariane 5 flight
 

June 27, 2012 – Ariane Flight VA207

The final payload integration phase has begun for Arianespace’s heavy-lift mission on July 5, with Europe’s MSG-3 meteorological satellite now installed on its workhorse Ariane 5 launcher at the Spaceport in French Guiana.

This spacecraft was positioned atop Ariane 5’s core cryogenic stage yesterday during activity inside the Spaceport’s launch vehicle Final Assembly Building – placing it as the lower passenger in the dual-payload “stack,” to be released second in the flight sequence after its co-passenger, EchoStar XVII.

MSG-3 will be operated by EUMETSAT (the European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites). After its deployment by Ariane 5, the satellite is to provide highly detailed imagery of Europe, the North Atlantic and Africa for use by meteorologists and national weather forecasters. MSG-3 has a liftoff mass of approximately 2,000 kg., and will operate in geostationary orbit.

Produced by a Thales Alenia Space-led European consortium, MSG-3 will be the no. 3 spacecraft in Europe’s second-generation MSG series – following the two previously lofted by Arianespace: MSG-1 in August 2002 (which was re-designated Meteosat-8 when it became operational); and MSG-2 in December 2005 (renamed Meteosat-9 upon reaching operational service).
 
MSG-3’s “sister” payload on next week’s Ariane 5 flight – EchoStar XVII – is a high-throughput telecommunications platform to be operated by Hughes Network Systems. Employing a multi-spot beam, bent-pipe Ka-band architecture that provides significant additional capacity for Hughes, the satellite will deliver broadband services to consumers, businesses and government customers across North America.

The launch of MSG-3 and EchoStar XVII will be Arianespace’s third heavy-lift flight with Ariane 5 in 2012.  It follows the May 15 launch of two telecommunications satellites for Asia: JCSAT-13 and VINASAT-2; and the March 23 liftoff with Europe’s third Automated Transfer Vehicle for servicing of the International Space Station.

http://www.arianespace.com/news-mission-update/2012/917.asp

[bolun]

Payload integration is completed for Arianespace's next Ariane 5 flight

June 28, 2012 – Ariane Flight VA207

The EchoStar XVII telecommunications platform has joined its MSG-3 co-passenger on Arianespace’s third Ariane 5 for launch in 2012, marking a key preparation milestone for this July 5 heavy-lift mission from the Spaceport in French Guiana.

Encapsulated in its ogive-shaped payload fairing, EchoStar XVII was lowered into place yesterday over the MSG-3 meteorological satellite – which was installed atop Ariane 5’s cryogenic core stage earlier in the week. The latest integration activity was performed inside the Spaceport’s launch vehicle Final Assembly Building.
 
With this new milestone, the Ariane 5’s dual payload “stack” has now been completed, clearing the way for final steps that will include functional tests, launch rehearsal and launch vehicle arming – followed by a readiness review and rollout to the Spaceport’s launch zone for an evening liftoff on July 5.
 
Ariane 5 is to deliver a payload lift performance of more than 9,600 kg. during the upcoming mission, which includes a combined total of over 7,500 kg. for the EchoStar XVII and MSG-3 spacecraft, plus the launch vehicle’s dual-passenger dispenser system and satellite integration hardware.
 
EchoStar XVII – which is based on Space Systems/Loral’s powerful 1300 series satellite platform – will be operated by Hughes Network Systems, and it is to deliver broadband services to consumers, businesses and government customers across North America. Weighing approximately 6,100 kg. at liftoff, the spacecraft employs a multi-spot beam, bent-pipe Ka-band architecture that provides significant additional capacity for Hughes.

MSG-3 was produced by an industry consortium led by Thales Alenia Space, for operation by EUMETSAT (the European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites).  It has a liftoff mass of approximately 2,000 kg., and will operate in geostationary orbit after its deployment by Ariane 5 – providing highly detailed imagery of Europe, the North Atlantic and Africa for use by meteorologists and national weather forecasters.

http://www.arianespace.com/news-mission-update/2012/918.asp

[jacqmans]

29 June 2012

Dress Rehearsal

The Dress Reheasal is an overall rehearsal of the countdown as it will take place at L-0 (Launch day). It starts about 9 hours before the launch. The virtual launch today being planned at 14:00 Kourou time, therefore, the dress rehearsal started today at 5:00 am with the connection with ESOC (10:00 local time).

http://msg-3launchcampaign.blogspot.nl/

[Lewis007]

Attached is the Arianespace press kit

[jacqmans]

Launch campaign status at L-3

No "visible" activities to report today as efforts concentrated on the launcher in the BAF and on the final preparation of the fairing (thermal and environmental controls, several inspections, red tag items, arming, closure...). These activities are exclusively under Arianespace responsibility without witnessing from the customer(s) side.
In the next days:

L-2 (03/07/2012) will be mainly dedicated to the RAL (Revue d'Aptitude au Lancement/Launch Readiness Review). An important review mainly focussed on the Ariane 5 ECA launcher.
L-1 (04/07/2012): Roll out of the launcher between the BAF and the ELA-3 (launch pad). This will terminate the quasi "secret phase" of the POC (Combined Operation Plan). This activity was already witnessed in May for the roll out of VA206 flight.
L0 (05/07/2012). Launch day. The countdown will start at 9:36 am (Kourou time) for a launch window starting 9 hours later.

http://msg-3launchcampaign.blogspot.nl/2012/07/launch-campaign-status-at-l-3.html

[Lewis007]

More info on the MSG-3 launch campaign can be found on the Eumetsat website; see page http://www.eumetsat.int/msg3/news.html

For pictures; see http://www.flickr.com/photos/eumetsat/sets/72157629845835726/

[bolun]

ESA’s mission control ready for MSG-3 launch

http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/Operations/SEMO432VW3H_0.html

[jacqmans]

Arianespace’s heavy-lift Ariane 5 mission with EchoStar XVII and MSG-3 is given its “go” for liftoff
 

July 3, 2012 – Ariane Flight VA207

Ariane 5’s third flight of 2012 has received the green light for its liftoff on Thursday, July 5 from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana. The go-ahead for this mission – which will orbit a mixed payload of telecommunications and meteorological spacecraft – was given following today’s launch readiness review.

This important pre-launch step, which is performed prior to each Arianespace mission, checks the “go” status of the launcher, the flight’s dual-passenger payload, the Spaceport’s infrastructure and the network of tracking stations which will follow the flight.

Over 9,600 kg. of payload lift performance will be delivered with this mission, which includes a combined total of more than 7,500 kg. for the EchoStar XVII and MSG-3 spacecraft, plus the launch vehicle’s dual-passenger dispenser system and satellite integration hardware.

The EchoStar XVII telecommunications spacecraft is based on Space Systems/Loral’s 1300 series satellite platform and will be operated by Hughes Network Systems. It is to deliver broadband services to consumers, businesses and government customers across North America.

MSG-3 is a meteorological spacecraft for EUMETSAT (the European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites), and was produced by a Thales Alenia Space-led consortium. After its deployment by Ariane 5, MSG-3 will operate in geostationary orbit and provide detailed images of Europe, Africa and the North Atlantic for use by meteorologists and national weather forecasters.

The launch of EchoStar XVII and MSG-3 follows the May 15 orbiting of two telecommunications satellites for Asia: JCSAT-13 and VINASAT-2; and the March 23 liftoff with Europe’s third Automated Transfer Vehicle for servicing of the International Space Station.

http://www.arianespace.com/news-mission-update/2012/919.asp

[bolun]

http://blogs.esa.int/eolaunches/2012/07/04/msg-3-ready-for-roll-out/

MSG-3: ready for roll out

[Lewis007]

The Ariane rocket is on the pad, awaiting launch !

http://msg-3launchcampaign.blogspot.nl/2012/07/msg-3-on-launch-pad.html

[jacqmans]

Ariane 5 rolls out with the EchoStar XVII and MSG-3 satellites for Arianespace’s next launch
 

July 4, 2012 – Ariane Flight VA207

Arianespace has delivered another Ariane 5 to the launch zone at Europe’s Spaceport, positioning this heavy-lift vehicle for liftoff tomorrow with a mixed telecommunications and meteorological satellite payload.

This Ariane 5 today rolled out from the Spaceport’s Final Integration Building to the ELA-3 launch zone, where it is scheduled for liftoff during a time slot that opens at 6:36 p.m. and continues to 7:05 p.m. in French Guiana.
 
For the 63rd launch of an Ariane 5 – and the 207th mission of an Ariane family launcher overall – the payload lift performance is approximately 9,640 kg., which includes a combined total of more than 7,560 kg. for the EchoStar XVII and MSG-3 spacecraft, plus the launch vehicle’s dual-passenger dispenser system and satellite integration hardware.
 
The EchoStar XVII relay platform will be operated by Hughes Network Systems, and is based on Space Systems/Loral’s 1300-series satellite bus.   It is designed to deliver broadband services to consumers, businesses and government customers across North America.
 
MSG-3 was produced by a Thales Alenia Space-led consortium for EUMETSAT (the European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites).  Once operational in geostationary orbit, it will provide detailed images of Europe, Africa and the North Atlantic for use by meteorologists and national weather forecasters.

http://www.arianespace.com/news-mission-update/2012/920.asp

[bolun]

http://www.arianespace.com/news-mission-update/2012/920.asp

Launch window for VA207

UTC: From 09:36 p.m. to 10:05 p.m. on July 5, 2012

Paris, France: From 11:36 p.m. to 12:05 a.m. on July 5-6, 2012

Kourou, French Guiana: From 06:36 p.m. to 07:05 p.m. on July 5, 2012

Washington, D.C., USA: From 05:36 p.m. to 06:05 p.m. on July 5, 2012

Tokyo, Japan: From 06:36 a.m. to 07:05 a.m. on July 6, 2012

[Chris Bergin]

Moved for live coverage.

[bolun]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/eumetsat/7507545098/

Ariane 5 with MSG-3 ready for launch in Kourou, French Guyana.

[jacqmans]

Press Release 
N°21-2012   
 
Paris, 5 July 2012 
 
MSG-3 set to ensure quality of Europe’s weather service from geostationary orbit 
 
 
The latest weather satellite in Europe’s highly successful Meteosat second-generation series is on its way after lifting off on an Ariane 5 at XX:XX GMT (XX:XX CEST) on Thursday, 5 July from Europe’s Spaceport at the Guiana Space Centre in Kourou, French Guiana.   
 
The satellite’s sensors will ensure that Europe and Africa continue to receive up-to-date weather coverage.   
 
Some XX minutes into flight, the third Meteosat Second Generation satellite was released into its targeted elliptical transfer orbit. It is now being controlled from ESA’s European Space Operations Centre, in Darmstadt, Germany.   
 
In ten days, once the initial operations are completed, MSG-3 will be handed over to the satellite’s owner, the European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites – EUMETSAT – to commission the payload.   
 
After commissioning, when MSG-3 has become Meteosat-10, it will be stationed at 0° longitude, over the Gulf of Guinea on the Equator, in geostationary orbit, where its speed precisely matches Earth’s rotation. 
 
“Tonight’s launch allows EUMETSAT and ESA to continue providing Europeans with high quality observations of weather from space, with MSG-3 being especially valuable in rapid detection and warning of extreme weather situations,” said ESA’s Director General, Jean-Jacques Dordain.   
 
“For more than three decades now, the exemplary cooperation between ESA and EUMETSAT has been the basis of the success of the Meteosat and EPS/Metop programmes.   
 
“These programmes have ensured high-quality weather forecasts, the successive generations have improved these forecasts and they have brought tangible economic benefits for and improving the daily life of every European. Two generations have now been developed by ESA and EUMETSAT.” 
 
“MSG-3 ensures the continuity of the present service. Together with EUMETSAT, ESA is working on the development of the next series of weather satellites, Meteosat Third Generation”, said ESA’s Director of Earth Observation, Volker Liebig.   
 
“Once operational at the end of this decade, this next generation will provide a quantum leap in terms of technology and performance, providing among others faster imaging, more spectral channels and an atmospheric sounding capability allowing for the measurements of trace gas profiles.” 
 
ESA’s role in weather and climate watch is not limited to the Meteosat series of satellites. It has also developed the MetOp series of polar-orbiting weather satellites - also operated by EUMETSAT - planned to be followed by the MetOp Second Generation series– to be submitted to the ESA Ministerial Council in November for approval.   
 
The second MetOp is at the Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan, ready for launch on 19 September. 
 
About Meteosat Second Generation 
MSG is a joint programme undertaken by ESA and EUMETSAT. ESA is responsible for the development of satellites fulfilling user and system requirements defined by EUMETSAT and of the procurement of recurrent satellites on its behalf. ESA also performs the Launch and Early Orbit Phase operations required to place the spacecraft in geostationary orbit, before handing it over to EUMETSAT for exploitation.   
 
EUMETSAT develops all ground systems required to deliver products and services to users and to respond to their evolving needs, procures  launch services and operates the full system for the benefit of users.   
 
MSG-3 is the third in a series of four satellites introduced in 2002. These spin-stabilised satellites carry the primary Spinning Enhanced Visible and Infrared Imager, or SEVIRI.   
 
SEVIRI focuses on Europe and Africa to deliver enhanced weather coverage, in order to improve local forecasts, in particular for rapidly developing storms. It scans Earth’s surface and atmosphere every 15 minutes in 12 different wavelengths, to track cloud development and measure temperatures.   
 
SEVIRI can pick out features as small as a kilometre across in the visible bands, and three kilometres in the infrared.   
 
In addition to its weather-watching mission and collection of climate records, MSG-3 has two secondary payloads. 
 
The Global Earth Radiation Budget sensor will measure the amount of solar energy that is radiated back into space to determine how much energy is introduced into the climate system and to provide insights into the atmospheric circulation between the day and night sides.   
A Search & Rescue transponder will turn the satellite into a relay for distress signals from emergency beacons.   
 
The MSG satellites were built in Cannes, France, by a European industrial team led by Thales Alenia Space, France. More than 50 subcontractors from 13 European countries are involved.   
 
The last of the series, MSG-4, is planned for launch in 2015. 
 

[jacqmans]

Press Release 
N°21-2012   

By mistake tonight's press release was sent out too early. Indeed the launch is currently scheduled for tonight 23:36 CEST. 
 
Our apologies for this incident. 

[Lewis007]

Attached is the EADS-Astrium launch kit for VA-207

[Chris Bergin]

ESA Operations ‏@esaoperations
Msg from Mission control #MSG3launch: A-team are now on console. Roll-call complete. Weather in Kourou good, so launch likely tonight.

[Chris Bergin]

Jonathan Amos ‏@BBCAmos
And the weather looks good for the #Meteosat-10 launch tonight. We know because Meteosat-9 has imaged Kourou. #MSG-3

https://twitter.com/BBCAmos/status/220943655974866944/photo/1

[jacqmans]

Arianespace’s Ariane 5 flight with EchoStar XVII and MSG-3 enters its final countdown for liftoff tonight

July 5, 2012 – Ariane Flight VA207

The final countdown is now underway for this evening’s Arianespace Ariane 5 flight from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana, which is to orbit a dual payload consisting of the EchoStar XVII broadband telecommunications relay platform and EUMETSAT’s MSG-3 meteorological satellite.
 
Liftoff is scheduled during a launch window that opens at 6:36 p.m. and continues to 7:05 p.m. local time, with EchoStar XVII and MSG-3 being deployed during a 34-minute flight.
 
This will be the 63rd launch of an Ariane 5, and Arianespace’s third flight of its heavy-lift workhorse in 2012.

EchoStar XVII is a Space Systems/Loral-built 1300-series satellite platform, and is to be operated by Hughes Network Systems – delivering broadband services from geostationary orbit to consumers, businesses and government customers across North America.
 
MSG-3 is a weather observation spacecraft for EUMETSAT (the European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites).  Produced by a Thales Alenia Space-led consortium, MSG-3 will operate in geostationary orbit – providing detailed images of Europe, Africa and the North Atlantic for use by meteorologists and national weather forecasters.

http://www.arianespace.com/news-mission-update/2012/921.asp

[Chris Bergin]

50 mins to the live coverage:
http://www.arianespace.tv/

[jacqmans]

14:21 (L-4h 15 min). MSG-3 started battery charging.
14:28 (L-4h 08 min). EPC (Etage de Propulsion Cryogénique/Cryogenic Propulsion Stage) fuelling started
15:08 (L-3h 28 min) ESC (Etage Superieur Cryogénique/Upper Cryogenic stage) fuelling
15:31 (L-3h 05 min ) MSG-3  reported parameters from LBC-1 to Jupiter are green

16:36 (L-2h 00 min) MSG-3 spacecraft status is green. Here under, a snapshot of the Launch vehicle from the TV monitor in LBC-1. Weather looks fine.

http://msg-3launchcampaign.blogspot.nl/2012/07/launch-day.html

[bolun]

Watch online: MSG-3 launch

http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/MSG/SEMI592VW3H_0.html

[jacqmans]

18:36 (L-1 hour). MSG-3 status is green. All other parameters are green. The clock below gives the UT (Universal Time) and the exact L -1 hour of the chronology...

[Hog]

10 mins to live coverage, thanks for the link Chris!

[Chris Bergin]

I get the impression this is the English soundtrack

Coverage starting. Everyone feel free to chip in with screenshots as there's no VLC for this, so it's down the old screenshot, crop and post nonsense.

[Rocket Science]

I get the impression this is the English soundtrack

Coverage starting. Everyone feel free to chip in with screenshots as there's no VLC for this, so it's down the old screenshot, crop and post nonsense.

Could you repeat that?

[Chris Bergin]

Green board at T-12 mins.

[Chris Bergin]

[Chris Bergin]

[Chris Bergin]

T-7 mins - still green. Into the automated sequence.

[Chris Bergin]

Green weather.

[Galactic Penguin SST]

[Chris Bergin]

[Galactic Penguin SST]

"as big as Martinique".... so how big is it? 

Still GO at T-3 minutes

[Chris Bergin]

Thanks for joining in GP!

T-3 mins.

[Chris Bergin]

[Chris Bergin]

T-120 seconds.

[Galactic Penguin SST]

[Chris Bergin]

[Chris Bergin]

T-60 seconds.

[Silmfeanor]

ignition

[Chris Bergin]

LAUNCH!!

[Chris Bergin]

[Chris Bergin]

[Chris Bergin]

[Chris Bergin]

Staging. Booster sep.

[Chris Bergin]

Fairing jettison.

[Galactic Penguin SST]

[spacejulien]

Nice weather this time...

[Chris Bergin]

[Silmfeanor]

Nice weather this time...

even visible payload fairing jettison!

[Chris Bergin]

T+5 mins. All nominal. Arianespace promo time.

[Chris Bergin]

"One million apples dropping on Sir Newton's head"

[Hog]

Pulling G's now.

[Chris Bergin]

EPC shutdown.

Staging.

1-2 Sep.

Upper Stage ignition

[Galactic Penguin SST]

The big guy being tested at SS/L

[Chris Bergin]

"Going faster than Usain Bolt by over 700 times"

[Chris Bergin]

T+15 mins.

Hughes voiceover guy sounds like he's moonlighting from the home shopping channel.

[Chris Bergin]

[Galactic Penguin SST]

Spinners are going extinct today... but weather satellites are the exception (due to instrument design).

[Chris Bergin]

[Chris Bergin]

[Galactic Penguin SST]

Approaching upper stage shutdown.

[Chris Bergin]

End of powered flight - Into the ballistic phase.

[Chris Bergin]

EchoStar XVII S/C Sep!

[Galactic Penguin SST]

EchoStar XVII separation!

[Chris Bergin]

SYLDA Sep.

[Galactic Penguin SST]

[Chris Bergin]

MSG-3 into the spin!

[Chris Bergin]

MSG-3 S/C Sep!

Congrats to all involved!

[Galactic Penguin SST]

MSG-3 spun and launched. 

[Rocket Science]

Congrats, well done! Ariane V... "Le Sexy Beast"...

[tehwkd]

[robertross]

Way to go Arianespace! Congrats.

[Galactic Penguin SST]

WOW! (http://www.forum-conquete-spatiale.fr/t13692p45-lancement-ariane-5-eca-va207-msg-3-echostar-xvii-05-juillet-2012)

[Galactic Penguin SST]

http://imgur.com/a/eauxo/

[jacqmans]

Ariane 5 lofts telecommunications and weather observation satellites on Arianespace's latest mission success


July 5, 2012 – Ariane Flight VA207

Arianespace continued Ariane 5’s track record of success today by using the heavy-lift workhorse to orbit a mixed payload of telecommunications and meteorological spacecraft on the launcher’s 63rd flight from the Spaceport in French Guiana.

For this third Ariane 5 mission of 2012, the EchoStar XVII and MSG-3 passengers were deployed into geostationary transfer orbit during a 34-minute flight.  Total payload lift performance was approximately 9,640 kg., which included the combined mass of the EchoStar XVII and MSG-3 spacecraft, plus the launch vehicle’s dual-passenger dispenser system and satellite integration hardware.


“By orbiting these two satellites, we have once again demonstrated the flexibility of Ariane 5 – which was capable of simultaneously launching one of the largest telecommunications satellites ever built for an American private operator, along with one of the most capable meteorological satellites developed for a European government organization,” said Arianespace Chairman & CEO Jean-Yves Le Gall.
 
Ariane 5’s accuracy was confirmed once again on today’s flight, with the following estimated orbital parameters at the cryogenic upper stage’s injection:
- Perigee: 249.4 km. for a target of 249.6 km.
- Apogee: 35,923 km. for a target of 35,942 km.
- Inclination: 6.00 deg. for a target of 6.00 deg.
 
With an estimated liftoff mass of 6,100 kg., EchoStar XVII will be operated by Hughes Network Systems from an orbital position of 107.1° West – delivering broadband services to consumers, businesses and government customers across North America.  The telecommunications spacecraft is based on Space Systems/Loral’s 1300-series platform and is to operate in the Ka-band.
 
MSG-3 was the ninth Meteosat-series weather satellite launched by Ariane vehicles since 1981.  Weighing approximately 2,000 kg. at liftoff, it will provide highly detailed imagery of Europe, the North Atlantic and Africa for use by meteorologists and national weather forecasters. Resulting from a close collaboration involving EUMETSAT (the European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites) and the European Space Agency, MSG-3 was produced in an industry consortium led by Thales Alenia Space.
 
Following the flight’s liftoff at sunset and its subsequent satellite deployment, Le Gall took the opportunity to acknowledge the industrial and infrastructure teams that continue to support Arianespace in its commercial Ariane operations.  He noted the Ariane 5 for this mission was fitted with the 1,200th engine produced for Ariane vehicles by the Safran group’s Snecma propulsion business unit.

“Thanks to all of you, Ariane 5 is a system that works…works very well…and will continue to work for a long time!” he added.  “Following tonight’s launch, and with all of the contracts we’ve signed since the start of this year, our order book effectively covers no less than 22 firm Ariane 5 launches, which – at a pace of six to seven missions per year – guarantees us more than three years of activity.”
 
Arianespace’s next Ariane 5 mission is scheduled for August 2, carrying the Intelsat 20 satellite for Intelsat, along with HYLAS 2 for Avanti Communications.

http://www.arianespace.com/news-mission-update/2012/922.asp

[jacqmans]

Arianespace launch a success: Ariane 5 ECA orbits EchoStar XVII and MSG-3
 
Kourou, July 5, 2012
 
On Thursday, July 5, Arianespace successfully launched two satellites: the dedicated Internet satellite EchoStar XVII for the American operator Hughes Network Systems, and the MSG-3 weather satellite for Eumetsat, the European Meteorological Satellite organization.

63rd Ariane 5 launch, 49th success in a row
 
Today's successful Ariane 5 launch once again proves the launcher’s operational capabilities. Ariane 5 handles a complete range of missions, from commercial launches into geostationary orbit to launches into special orbits.

This was the 63rd launch of an Ariane 5, and the 49th successful launch in a row.

Arianespace's latest successful mission, the third Ariane 5 launch in 2012, clearly shows that its launch Service & Solutions continue to set the global standard and guarantee independent access to space for all customers, including national and international space agencies, private operators and governments.

302nd and 303rd satellites launched by Arianespace from French Guiana

Arianespace offers the launch services that best match the demanding requirements of leading operators worldwide.

EchoStar XVII is the second satellite launched by Arianespace for the American operator Hughes, a subsidiary of EchoStar Corporation. A high-power Ka-band satellite, EchoStar XVII will offer broadband Internet services to companies and individuals in North America. EchoStar XVII is the 37th satellite built by Space Systems/Loral to be launched by Arianespace.

MSG-3 (Meteosat Second Generation) is part of a European family of four geostationary meteorological detection and observation satellites. It is the ninth satellite to be launched by Arianespace for Eumetsat. The first two MSG satellites were launched by Arianespace in 2002 and 2005.

EchoStar XVII/MSG-3 mission at a glance
 
The mission was carried out by an Ariane 5 ECA launcher from Europe's Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana. Liftoff was on Thursday, July 5, 2012 at 6:36 pm local time in Kourou (5:36 pm in Washington, D.C., 21:36 UT, 11:36 pm in Paris, and on Friday, July 6 at 6:36 am in Tokyo).

Weighing 6,100 kg at launch, EchoStar XVII was injected into geostationary transfer orbit, and will then be moved to its orbital position at 107.1 degrees West. Built by Space Systems/Loral using a 1300 platform, EchoStar XVII is a broadband Ka-band satellite. It will round out the HughesNet® services offering in North America, bolstering the orbital capacity offered by the Spaceway® 3 satellite. The payload on this new satellite offers a retransmission capacity exceeding 100 Gbps.

Built by Thales Alenia Space as prime contractor, MSG-3 weighed 2,000 kg at liftoff. It has 12 separate channels, three in visible wavelengths and nine in infrared bands, and is capable of transmitting images every 15 minutes. MSG-3 will ensure service continuity for EUMETSAT, providing meteorologists with a powerful tool for the detection and prediction of weather-related events in Europe and surrounding regions. EUMETSAT is an intergovernmental organization, grouping 26 Member States and five Cooperating States.

http://www.arianespace.com/news-press-release/2012/7-5-2012_Success.asp

[jacqmans]

05 July 2012

What will happen to MSG-3 in the next days after launch?

After launch a new phase called LEOP will start. LEOP stands for Launch Early Operation Phase. This phase will aim to put MSG-3 in its final configuration and orbit where it will be ready to perform its mission.
The next LEOP milestones are summarised below:

Launch T+ 34 minutes: MSG-3 separation from the launcher (Malindi tracking station acquisition)
T+ 4 hours. 1st spin up (55rpm)
T+37 hours First Apogee Engine firing by LAM
T+62 hours Second Apogee Engine firing by LAM
T+111 hours third Apogee Engine firing by LAM
T+134 hours fourth Apogee Engine firing by LAM 
T+ 8 days and 6 hours SEVIRI covers release
T+ 8days  and 9 hours, Spin up to 100 rpm
T+ 9 days + 22 hours, Circularisation maneuver

Some of our Thales colleagues form Kourou and Cannes will join now very rapidly ESOC in Darmstadt, the European Space Operation Center where these activities will be performed.

http://msg-3launchcampaign.blogspot.nl/2012/07/what-will-happen-to-msg-3-in-next-days.html

[jacqmans]

MSG-3 set to ensure quality of Europe’s weather service from geostationary orbit

6 July 2012

PR 21 2012 - The latest weather satellite in Europe’s highly successful Meteosat second-generation series is on its way after lifting off on an Ariane 5 at 21:36 GMT (23:36 CEST) on Thursday, 5 July from Europe’s Spaceport at the Guiana Space Centre in Kourou, French Guiana.

http://www.esa.int/esaCP/SEMJRG2VW3H_index_0.html

[jacqmans]

Space Systems/Loral-Built Broadband Satellite for Hughes Successfully Launched, Begins Post-Launch Maneuvers

PALO ALTO, CA -- (Marketwire) -- 07/06/12 -- Space Systems/Loral (SS/L) (NASDAQ: LORL), the world's leading provider of commercial satellites, today announced that the EchoStar XVII satellite, designed and built for Hughes Network Systems, LLC (Hughes), a wholly owned subsidiary of EchoStar Corporation (NASDAQ: SATS), was launched yesterday and is successfully performing post-launch maneuvers according to plan.

The satellite deployed its solar arrays on schedule following its launch aboard an Ariane 5 vehicle provided by Arianespace from the European Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana. Tomorrow, the satellite will begin firing its main thruster in order to start maneuvering into geostationary orbit.

http://investor.loral.com/releasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=689446

[jacqmans]

A 'picture perfect' liftoff for Arianespace's Ariane 5 launch with EchoStar XVII and MSG-3

July 5, 2012 – Ariane Flight VA207

A sunset launch window, limited clouds and excellent visibility combined to provide a postcard-like view of Ariane 5’s ascent from French Guiana during today’s successful mission with the EchoStar XVII and MSG-3 satellite payloads. 

This photo sequence shows the liftoff and climb-out from the Spaceport’s ELA-3 launch complex, with Ariane 5 powered by its Vulcain 2 cryogenic main engine and two solid propellant boosters. 

The excellent viewing conditions also enabled Ariane 5’s downrange trajectory to be followed, including separation of the solid boosters at an altitude of 67 km., and the payload fairing’s jettison at a 107-km. altitude.

http://www.arianespace.com/news-mission-update/2012/923.asp

[bolun]

MSG-3 successfully handed over to EUMETSAT

http://www.eumetsat.int/msg3/news.html

[bolun]

MSG-3, Europe’s latest weather satellite, delivers first image

http://www.esa.int/esaCP/SEMRFKVXF5H_index_0.html

[Targeteer]

https://www.eumetsat.int/imagery/earth-view?fbclid=IwAR1gWyjwHtZHeOc1SKTpYga3WmNApbDE32NYJnsGToGfDME9g8IcjRuPLuM