A source familiar with the Ariane 5’s manifest next year said Arianespace targets another single-payload Ariane 5 launch in early 2016 with the Boeing-built Intelsat 29e spacecraft, a commercial satellite that will debut Intelsat’s all-digital high-power “Intelsat Epic” system designed for secure, jam-proof communications services.<snip>Details of the rationale behind Intelsat 29e’s manifesting were not immediately available.<snip>Intelsat 29e will open Arianespace’s Ariane 5 manifest with a launch in late January, followed by Eutelsat 65 West A in late February or early March, a launch industry official said.
Located at 310° East, Intelsat 29e will replace Intelsat 1R and Intelsat 805.
Intelsat Announces January 27, 2016 as Expected Launch Date for Intelsat 29ehttp://www.intelsat.com/news/intelsat-announces-january-27-2016-as-expected-launch-date-for-intelsat-29e/QuoteLocated at 310° East, Intelsat 29e will replace Intelsat 1R and Intelsat 805.
NSF forum members may choose to have 2 live coverage links open simultaneously on January 27:ILS live coverage for the Eutelsat-9B launch at 22:19 UTCArianespace live coverage for the Intelsat 29e launch, window opens 22:34 UTC (15 minutes later)
Jan 20, 2016 Ariane 5 is readied for an Arianespace mission at the service of this launcher’s leading customerAssembly of the Ariane 5 for Arianespace’s year-opening mission from French Guiana is now complete, following encapsulation of the Intelsat 29e satellite in its protective payload fairing at the Spaceport.<snip>
Quote from: jacqmans on 01/21/2016 07:47 amJan 20, 2016 Ariane 5 is readied for an Arianespace mission at the service of this launcher’s leading customerAssembly of the Ariane 5 for Arianespace’s year-opening mission from French Guiana is now complete, following encapsulation of the Intelsat 29e satellite in its protective payload fairing at the Spaceport.<snip>Is the same payload fairing used for the rare single-payload GTO launches that is normally used for the usual double-payload + SYLDA GTO launches? By my visual inspection of the accompanying images, it appears so.