LIVE: Ariane 5 ECA launch with TerreStar-1 satellite - July 1, 2009

[anik]

The third Ariane 5 for launch in 2009 is delivered to French Guiana
March 5, 2009

http://www.arianespace.com/news-mission-update/2009/577.asp

Arianespace is keeping up its Ariane 5 mission pace with this week's delivery of the third heavy-lift vehicle to be launched in 2009 from the Spaceport in French Guiana.

The latest Ariane 5 ECA arrived yesterday aboard the MN Colibri, which is one of two roll-on/roll-off vessels used to transport launch vehicles from their production sites in Europe to French Guiana.

This new vehicle will carry TerreStar-1 on a mission planned for the Spring. TerreStar-1 is one of the world’s largest commercial communications satellites, and will ride as a solo passenger on the dedicated Ariane 5.

Arianespace is targeting seven missions with the Ariane 5 in 2009. The year-opening launch on February 12 orbited the HOT BIRD™ 10 and NSS-9 telecommunications satellites, along with two Spirale auxiliary passengers for a French defense early warning system. 

Preparations are now underway for the second launch of 2009, which is set for April 16 with two European space science payloads to explore the universe’s origins: the Herschel telescope and Planck observatory.

[anik]

http://www.terrestar.com/news/press/index.html

RESTON, VA, March 16, 2009 - TerreStar Corporation (NASDAQ:TSTR) and its majority-owned subsidiary TerreStar Networks Inc. today provided an update on progress towards launching its 2 GHz mobile services satellite, TerreStar- 1. TerreStar reported successful completion of the final satellite and reflector post dynamics performance testing, and entry into the final phase of integration and testing at Space Systems/Loral.

"Both the satellite and reflector are substantially ready. Our launch provider, Arianespace, has accepted our requested launch date of May 28th. We are now focused on final integration and preparations for ship and launch" commented Dennis Matheson, TerreStar Chief Technology Officer.

Arianespace has reported that the launch vehicle, an Ariane 5 ECA, has arrived at the launch site in French Guiana and is in final preparation for satellite integration.

TerreStar President Jeffrey W. Epstein stated "Our satellite is nearly complete and our rocket is in final assembly. We are looking forward to a successful launch and the new, game-changing mobile satellite services TerreStar-1 will allow us to deliver."

TerreStar also has secured launch and in-orbit insurance coverage for TerreStar-1.

[jacqmans]

A new Ariane 5 takes shape to launch the world’s largest commercial telecommunications satellite
March 17, 2009

http://www.arianespace.com/news-mission-update/2009/580.asp
 
The assembly of another new Ariane 5 is now underway at the Spaceport in French Guiana as parallel preparations advance for two upcoming missions with Arianespace’s workhorse heavy-lift launcher.

The latest Ariane 5 will be used to orbit TerreStar-I – the world’s largest and most powerful commercial telecommunications satellite – which is to be lofted on a flight planned for Spring.

Build-up activity began yesterday with the erection of Ariane 5’s core cryogenic stage inside the Spaceport’s Launcher Integration Building.  The cryogenic stage was immediately positioned over one of two operational mobile launch tables for the heavy-lift launcher.  This clears the way for the mating of Ariane 5’s two solid propellant boosters – the first of which was moved into the Launcher Integration Building on the same day.

Once these boosters are integrated, Ariane 5 is to be fitted with its cryogenic upper stage and vehicle equipment bay, after which the launcher will be ready for delivery to the Spaceport’s Final Assembly Building.  At this point, Arianespace will take over responsibility for TerreStar-I’s installation on the vehicle, followed by its launch.

TerreStar-I is a 2-GHz mobile services satellite that currently is entering its final integration and testing phase with U.S. spacecraft manufacturer Space Systems/Loral.  Equipped with an antenna nearly 60 feet across, this relay platform will provide up to 500 dynamically-configurable spot beams, surpassing current-generation satellites in terms of signal sensitivity and the number of spot beams it can generate.

[anik]

http://www.space.com/spacenews/spacenews_summary.html#BM_1

"TerreStar-1 arrived at Europe's Guiana Space Center spaceport here May 15"

[satlaunch]

TerreStar-1 enters the pre-flight checkout phase for Arianespace’s next Ariane 5 launch
May 19, 2009

http://www.arianespace.com/news-mission-update/2009/597.asp

The Spaceport’s S5 payload preparation facility has become the center of attention for Arianespace’s upcoming Ariane 5 mission as the TerreStar-1 satellite passenger begins its pre-launch checkout process.

After being delivered to French Guiana from the United States last week, TerreStar-1 was moved into the S5 facility – where it has since undergone an initial fit-check validation with the adapter that will serve as the satellite’s interface with Ariane 5 (see photo, at right).

TerreStar-1 will be the largest commercial telecommunications satellite ever launched, and is easily accommodated in the Spaceport’s S5 processing complex – which has been sized for such massive passengers, and has the capacity to handle multiple payloads in parallel.

Based on Space Systems/Loral’s 1300 satellite bus, TerreStar-1 is designed to provide critical services for government, emergency responder, rural communities and commercial users.  It will use the 2 GHz spectrum to deliver voice, data and video communications to satellite/terrestrial mobile devices the size of a typical smart phone.

The spacecraft will be operated by Reston, Virginia-based TerreStar Networks, which plans to offer next-generation mobile communications through a network of partners and service providers for users who need "anywhere" coverage throughout the United States and Canada.

TerreStar-1 will ride as a single payload on a dedicated Ariane 5.  Liftoff is planned for the second half of June on Ariane 5’s third mission of 2009.

[satlaunch]

Arianespace receives the Ariane 5 for its TerreStar-1 mission
June 3, 2009

http://www.arianespace.com/news-mission-update/2009/598.asp

The heavy-lift Ariane 5 for Arianespace’s upcoming mission with the world’s largest commercial telecommunications satellite to be launched was moved to the Final Assembly Building today, clearing the way for its integration of the TerreStar-1 payload.

Rolling out of the Spaceport’s Launch Integration Building where it underwent the basic build-up, Ariane 5 was transferred to the Final Assembly Building – where industrial prime contractor EADS Astrium formally delivered the vehicle to Arianespace.

The flight with TerreStar-1 is planned for late June from French Guiana, and will be Arianespace’s third mission in 2009 with its workhorse launcher.

TerreStar-1 was built by Space Systems/Loral, and will be operated by Reston, Virginia-based TerreStar Networks – which plans to offer next-generation mobile communications for users requiring coverage throughout the United States and Canada.

The satellite is to provide critical services for government, emergency responder, rural communities and commercial users, using the 2 GHz spectrum to deliver voice, data and video communications to satellite/terrestrial mobile devices the size of a typical smart phone.

TerreStar-1 will ride as a single payload on the dedicated Ariane 5 flight.

Arianespace is targeting a total of seven launches in 2009, underscoring the company’s ability to meet mission timing requirements of its international customer base.  So far this year, Arianespace has performed two on-target Ariane 5 flights: the initial liftoff on February 12 orbited the HOT BIRD™ 10, NSS-9 telecommunications satellites, plus a pair of Spirale auxiliary payloads for the French military; and was followed by the May 14 launch of Europe’s Herschel and Planck deep-space telescopes.

[ckiki lwai]

I was wondering why TerreStar-1 gets launched on an Ariane 5 and not an Atlas 5.
Would the Ariane 5 with an over capacity of 2.9 tons still be cheaper than an Atlas 531 which has an overcapacity of only 0.7 ton?
That would mean that an Ariane 5 costs less than 3/4 of what an Atlas 5 costs! (if you would look at the price per kilogram)

[William Graham]

I was wondering why TerreStar-1 gets launched on an Ariane 5 and not an Atlas 5.
Would the Ariane 5 with an over capacity of 2.9 tons still be cheaper than an Atlas 531 which has an overcapacity of only 0.7 ton?
That would mean that an Ariane 5 costs less than 3/4 of what an Atlas 5 costs! (if you would look at the price per kilogram)

IIUC, US military launches get priority on EELVs, which could have resulted in substantial delays. At least with Ariane they are guaranteed a slot in the manifest.

[ckiki lwai]

I was wondering why TerreStar-1 gets launched on an Ariane 5 and not an Atlas 5.
Would the Ariane 5 with an over capacity of 2.9 tons still be cheaper than an Atlas 531 which has an overcapacity of only 0.7 ton?
That would mean that an Ariane 5 costs less than 3/4 of what an Atlas 5 costs! (if you would look at the price per kilogram)

IIUC, US military launches get priority on EELVs, which could have resulted in substantial delays. At least with Ariane they are guaranteed a slot in the manifest.

Do you mean in general or for this year?

[Analyst]

ULA (or Boeing or LM, it does not matter (and I don't care) who owns who and who sells to whom) don't care about commercial missions.

They have problems getting missions of the pad on schedule, for whatever reasons. The customer doesn't care about the reasons.

They are not competitive.

Analyst

[Nomadd]

 The old MSATs the Terrastars are replacing ain't doing so well. I'd guess they didn't go with the Proton they originally had scheduled because they want to get #1 up as soon as possible. They just bumped Terrastar 2 from a Zenit to a Proton. Maybe the same slot TS1 originally had. If they don't get the replacements up before the old ones fail a whole lot of people, including me are going to be up a creek. There's no other sats you can move MSAT equipment to.

[Skyrocket]

The old MSATs the Terrastars are replacing ain't doing so well. I'd guess they didn't go with the Proton they originally had scheduled because they want to get #1 up as soon as possible. They just bumped Terrastar 2 from a Zenit to a Proton. Maybe the same slot TS1 originally had. If they don't get the replacements up before the old ones fail a whole lot of people, including me are going to be up a creek. There's no other sats you can move MSAT equipment to.

You are confusing TerreStar with SkyTerra.

[Nomadd]

The old MSATs the Terrastars are replacing ain't doing so well. I'd guess they didn't go with the Proton they originally had scheduled because they want to get #1 up as soon as possible. They just bumped Terrastar 2 from a Zenit to a Proton. Maybe the same slot TS1 originally had. If they don't get the replacements up before the old ones fail a whole lot of people, including me are going to be up a creek. There's no other sats you can move MSAT equipment to.

You are confusing TerreStar with SkyTerra.

 I figured that out five minutes after I posted it, but was on the road. God bless anonymous handles.

[Lewis007]

The launch of TerreStar has been delayed to the window of July 7 - 12, according to a press release issued by TerreStar Networks.
The reason for the delay is quoted as "to permit additional time to ensure that an on-orbit anomaly that occurred recently on another operator's satellite has no bearing on the flight worthiness of TerreStar-1."
See http://www.terrestar.com (under Recent Press releases) for more info.

[Nicolas PILLET]

According to a source in French Guiana, the launch is planned for the 1st july, at 10h00 local time (15h00 Paris time).

The delay was due to the insurance company, which didn't want that a component of the satellite flew again, since it had already failed on a previous mission.

[anik]

TerreStar-1 is fueled for Arianespace's upcoming heavy-lift Ariane 5 flight
June 19, 2009

http://www.arianespace.com/news-mission-update/2009/600.asp

Space Systems/Loral’s TerreStar-1 is fueled in the Spaceport’s S5 preparation facility.

Preparations of the TerreStar-1 passenger for Arianespace’s third Ariane 5 mission in 2009 have moved into their final phase with this week’s fueling of the satellite at Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana.

TerreStar-1 – which will be the largest commercial telecommunications spacecraft ever launched – was loaded with its propellant in the S5A fueling and integration hall of the Spaceport’s S5 satellite preparation facility.

Riding as a single payload on a dedicated Ariane 5 ECA, TerreStar-1’s liftoff is scheduled for July 1. This Space Systems/Loral-built spacecraft will provide critical services for government, emergency responders, rural communities and commercial users. Operating in the 2 GHz spectrum, TerreStar-1 is designed to deliver voice, data and video communications to satellite/terrestrial mobile devices the size of a typical smart phone – with its relay footprint covering the United States and Canada.

Arianespace is targeting seven flights in 2009.  In addition to the launcher that is now ready to be fitted with TerreStar-1, another Ariane 5 is taking shape at the Spaceport for Arianespace’s fourth mission of this year.

[ckiki lwai]

TerreStar-1 is mated with Ariane 5 hardware in preparation for its July 1 Arianespace launch
June 22, 2009

http://arianespace.com/news-mission-update/2009/601.asp

The world’s largest civilian telecommunications satellite has made initial contact with the world’s leading heavy-lift vehicle as TerreStar-1 marks another milestone in preparations for its July 1 liftoff aboard an Ariane 5 from the Spaceport in French Guiana.

TerreStar-1 was mated to the cone-shaped adapter unit that will serve as its interface with Arianespace’s Ariane 5 ECA (see photo at right).  This activity occurred in the S5A hall of the Spaceport’s S5 payload preparation facility, where TerreStar-1 was loaded with its onboard propellant last week.

The next step will be TerreStar-1’s transfer to the Ariane 5 Final Assembly Building, where it will be installed atop the heavy-lift launcher as a solo payload.

TerreStar-1 is a Space Systems/Loral-built spacecraft, and will be utilized by TerreStar Networks to deliver voice, data and video communications to satellite/terrestrial mobile devices the size of a typical smart phone. Operating in the 2 GHz spectrum, TerreStar-1 is designed for coverage of the United States and Canada – offering services for government, emergency responders, rural communities and commercial users. 

The July 1 launch with TerreStar-1 will be Arianespace’s third of seven missions planned with Ariane 5 in 2009.  It follows the year-opening flight on February 12 that orbited Eutelsat’s HOT BIRD™ 10 and NSS-9 for SES NEW SKIES, along with two Spirale auxiliary passengers for the French military; and the May 14 launch with the European Space Agency’s Herschel and Planck deep space telescopes.


Roll out of the third Ariane 5 this year is scheduled for June 30:
http://arianespace.com/news-mission-update/2009/602.asp

[jacqmans]

Ariane 5 receives its TerreStar-1 payload
June 23, 2009

http://www.arianespace.com/news-mission-update/2009/603.asp

The TerreStar-1 telecommunications satellite was mated to its Ariane 5 launcher today, taking Arianespace’s upcoming heavy-lift mission one major step closer to the July 1 liftoff.

TerreStar-1 will be the world’s largest civilian telecommunications satellite ever launched, and it is riding as a solo payload on a dedicated Ariane 5 ECA.

(The photo at right shows TerreStar-1 being positioned on Ariane 5’s core stage during the integration process, which occurred in the upper level of the Spaceport’s Final Assembly Building).

Based on Space Systems/Loral’s 1300 platform, TerreStar-1 is to provide coverage over the U.S. and Canada – offering voice, data and video communications to satellite/terrestrial mobile devices the size of a typical smart phone.  The spacecraft will be operated by TerreStar Networks, Inc. and can generate over five hundred spot beams covering the Continental U.S., Canada, Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

TerreStar-1’s launch will be the third of seven missions planned by Arianespace in 2009 with the workhorse Ariane 5 launch vehicle. 

[jacqmans]

Integration of Ariane 5 is completed for its upcoming heavy-lift launch with TerreStar-1
June 26, 2009

http://www.arianespace.com/news-mission-update/2009/604.asp

The Ariane 5 for Arianespace’s upcoming heavy-lift mission is now complete following its payload fairing’s installation over the TerreStar-1 payload – which will be the world’s largest commercial telecommunications satellite ever orbited.

During activity on Wednesday in the launcher Final Assembly Building at Europe’s Spaceport, the fairing was lowered into place over TerreStar-1, which is installed atop Ariane 5’s core stage.  Launch teams have since been validating the vehicle’s final configuration in preparation for its launch pad rollout on Tuesday, June 30 – which will clear the way for the final countdown to a July 1 afternoon liftoff.

Weighing nearly 6,910 kg. at launch, TerreStar-1 is riding as a solo payload on the dedicated Ariane 5, and will be released into geostationary transfer orbit approximately 26 minutes after liftoff from the Spaceport’s ELA-3 launch zone. 

This mission has a two-hour launch window, which opens at 1:13 p.m. local time in French Guiana.  After its deployment by Ariane 5, TerreStar-1 will be positioned at 111 deg. West, where it will be operated by the American telecommunications operator TerreStar Networks.

TerreStar-1’s coverage is tailored to provide critical services for government, emergency responders, rural communities and commercial users throughout the United States and Canada.   

Built by Space Systems/Loral using the company’s 1300 satellite platform, TerreStar-1 will operate in the 2 GHz spectrum to provide voice, data and video communications to satellite/terrestrial mobile devices the size of a typical smart phone.   The spacecraft is fitted with an 18-meter deployable reflector and powerful S-Band feed array, and will be capable of managing some 500 beams during its in-orbit design lifetime of more than 15 years.

The July 1 mission with TerreStar-1 will be the 189th flight of an Ariane family vehicle, and the 45th launch for Ariane 5.  It is the third of seven Ariane 5 flights planned by Arianespace in 2009, maintaining the company’s mission pace for the launch needs of its global customer base.

[jacqmans]

Launch Window

Universal time (GMT)
 
Between 4:13 p.m.
and 6:13 p.m. on
July 1, 2009

Paris, France

Between 6:13 p.m.
and 8:13 p.m. on
July 1, 2009

Kourou, French Guiana

Between 1:13 p.m.
and 3:13 p.m. on
July 1, 2009

Washington, D.C., USA

Between 12:13 p.m.
and 2:13 p.m. on
July 1, 2009

San Francisco,
USA

Between 9:13 p.m.
and 11:13 p.m. on
July 1, 2009