Author Topic: LIVE: Ariane 5 VA218 - Optus 10 and MEASAT-3b 11th of September 2014 (Read 60354 times)

Salo · « **on:** 01/10/2014 08:13 am »

http://www.arianespace.com/news-mission-update/2014/1123.asp

Supporting Arianespace's fast-paced 2014 launch schedule: Components are delivered for Ariane 5 and Vega missions

January 9, 2014 - Vega Flight VV03 & Ariane Flight VA218

Arianespace’s “supply pipeline” is supporting the company’s high-activity launch pace planned for 2014, with launcher elements arriving this week in French Guiana for its third flight of the lightweight Vega and another heavy-lift Ariane 5 mission.

These components were delivered by the MN Toucan – one of two sea-going vessels performing rotations between Europe and South America, regularly transporting stages and other hardware for the Ariane 5, Vega and medium-lift Soyuz vehicles that compose Arianespace’s launcher family.

Included in the MN Toucan’s roll-on/roll-off interior cargo bay were the main cryogenic stage for an Ariane 5 to be launched this spring on a mission designated Flight VA218, along with its combined cryogenic upper stage/vehicle equipment bay unit.

...

This hardware was unloaded from the MN Toucan after it docked at the city of Kourou’s Pariacabo Port, enabling the transfer by road to the nearby Spaceport.

Picture: The Ariane 5 main cryogenic stage for Arianespace’s Flight VA218 emerges from the roll-on/roll-off interior cargo bay.

Jester · « **Reply #1 on:** 01/14/2014 06:25 pm »

Upper composite arrival.

Jester · « **Reply #2 on:** 01/16/2014 11:03 am »

baldusi · « **Reply #3 on:** 01/16/2014 12:12 pm »

Any idea of the possible cargo?

Jester · « **Reply #4 on:** 03/10/2014 08:34 pm »

Launcher assembly begins for Ariane 5 Flight VA218

March 10, 2014 – Ariane Flight VA218

Activity is continuing in French Guiana to support Arianespace’s busy 2014 launch schedule, with initial launcher buildup procedures underway for Flight VA218’s Ariane 5 vehicle.

As part of familiar pre-launch preparations inside the Spaceport’s Launcher Integration Building, the launcher’s core cryogenic stage has been removed from its protective shipping container and hoisted into position over one of two operational mobile launch tables available for Ariane 5.

Subsequently during separate rollouts, the vehicle’s two solid propellant boosters were moved via rail on pallets from their dedicated on-site assembly facility to the Launcher Integration Building, in preparation for mating with the core stage.

This Ariane 5 launcher will be used on Arianespace’s 218th Ariane-series mission – designated Flight VA218 – which is to carry two passengers: the Optus 10 spacecraft for Australian operator Optus, and Asia-Pacific provider MEASAT Global’s MEASAT-3b satellite.

http://www.arianespace.com/news-mission-update/2014/1137.asp

Jester · « **Reply #5 on:** 03/12/2014 05:04 pm »

EPC in BIL

bolun · « **Reply #6 on:** 03/13/2014 07:59 pm »

Assembly completed: the Ariane 5 launcher for Flight VA218 receives its “upper composite”

March 13, 2014 – Ariane Flight VA218

Another Ariane 5 for launch by Arianespace has completed its initial build-up at the Spaceport, marking a major milestone in preparations for this upcoming dual-passenger flight.

The latest assembly activity – performed this week at the Spaceport’s Launcher Integration Building in French Guiana – included installation of the ESC-A cryogenic upper stage and vehicle equipment bay as a single unit atop the Ariane 5’s cryogenic core stage.

With initial build-up concluded, the launcher is now being readied for its transfer to the Spaceport’s Final Assembly Building – where it will be fitted with the Optus 10 and MEASAT-3b satellite passengers.

This mission’s Optus 10 payload was produced by SSL (Space Systems/Loral) for Australian telecommunications service provider Optus. It is outfitted with 24 Ku-band transponders to provide direct TV broadcast, internet connectivity, telephone and data transmission services for Australia and New Zealand.

The Airbus Defence and Space-built MEASAT-3b spacecraft will be operated by MEASAT Global to support direct-to-home broadcast services for Malaysia, India and Indonesia. Positioned at 91.5 degrees East, MEASAT-3b will be co-located with the MEASAT-3 and MEASAT-3a satellites to enhance Asia’s key direct-to-home neighborhood.

http://www.arianespace.com/news-mission-update/2014/1139.asp

Galactic Penguin SST · « **Reply #7 on:** 04/14/2014 08:11 pm »

According to Jester...

Quote from: Jester on 04/14/2014 02:59 pm

VV03 launch is on the 28 at 22:35 Local
VA218 launch is on the 28th of May at 18:32 Local

= 21:32 UTC.

Galactic Penguin SST · « **Reply #8 on:** 04/15/2014 07:11 am »

MEASAT-3b has been delivered to CSG: http://www.astrium.eads.net/en/press_centre/measat-3b-shipped-to-launch-base.html

fatjohn1408 · « **Reply #9 on:** 04/15/2014 08:47 am »

Hi, what are those beams that are attached between the HM-7B and the interstage?
You can see it in the last image posted by bolun.

bolun · « **Reply #10 on:** 04/15/2014 08:29 pm »

MEASAT-3b lands in French Guiana, while its Ariane 5 launcher is delivered to Arianespace at the Spaceport

April 15, 2014 – Ariane Flight VA218

Payload preparations for Arianespace’s next Ariane 5 mission are gearing up following this week’s delivery of MEASAT-3b – one of two satellite passengers for launch on the heavy-lift flight – to French Guiana.

This spacecraft was transported by a chartered An-124 cargo jetliner that landed at Félix Eboué International Airport near the capital city of Cayenne, and was unloaded for its transfer by road to the Spaceport.

In parallel activity, this mission’s Ariane 5 was moved today from the Launcher Integration Building to the Final Assembly Building – marking its delivery to Arianespace by vehicle prime contractor Airbus Defense and Space. With this step completed, the workhorse launcher is ready for integration of its dual-satellite payload.

MEASAT-3b – which was produced by Airbus Defence and Space based on the Eurostar E3000 platform – will be operated by MEASAT Global to support direct-to-home broadcast services for Malaysia, India, Indonesia and Australia. Positioned at 91.5 degrees East, MEASAT-3b will be co-located with the MEASAT-3 and MEASAT-3a satellites to form a robust Asian direct-to-home neighborhood.

Joining MEASAT-3b as its Ariane 5 flight co-passenger is Optus 10, which was produced by SSL (Space Systems/Loral) for Australian telecommunications service provider Optus. It is outfitted with 24 Ku-band transponders to provide direct TV broadcast, internet connectivity, telephone and data transmission services for Australia and New Zealand.

Designated Flight VA218 in Arianespace’s numbering system, this upcoming mission represents the 218th launch of an Ariane family vehicle.

http://www.arianespace.com/news-mission-update/2014/1156.asp

Jester · « **Reply #11 on:** 04/16/2014 01:39 am »

My attempt...

bolun · « **Reply #12 on:** 05/02/2014 09:29 am »

http://www.arianespace.com/news-mission-update/2014/1166.asp

Quote

Key steps this week for the upcoming flights included arrival of the second payload for Arianespace’s next workhorse Ariane 5 launch: the Optus 10 satellite, which has since joined the MEASAT-3b co-passenger, delivered in mid-April, for checkout at the Spaceport.

These two spacecraft will be lofted May 28 on a mission designated Flight VA218 in Arianespace’s numbering system, signifying the 218th launch of an Ariane-series vehicle. The mission’s launcher, an Ariane 5 ECA version, is located inside the Spaceport’s Final Assembly Building, where it stands ready for MEASAT-3b and Optus 10’s upcoming integration.