LIVE: Ariane-5ECA (VA235) - SKY Brasil-1 & Telkom-3S - February 14, 2017 (21:39 UTC)

[zubenelgenubi]

Maintaining Arianespace’s flight tempo: the first Ariane 5 for launch in 2017 is at the Spaceport

Preparations are starting for another busy year of Arianespace launch activity, with the initial Ariane 5 of 2017 now delivered to the Spaceport in French Guiana.

This vehicle recently arrived in French Guiana aboard the MN Colibri, which is one of two roll-on/roll-off ships that transport Arianespace launchers from their European manufacturers to South America.

After docking at Pariacabo Port, the Ariane 5’s components were unloaded and transported by road to the Spaceport – where they will be assembled during activity inside the Launcher Integration Building.

Getting off to a strong start in 2017

The first Ariane 5 mission of 2017 – designated VA235 – will orbit a pair of communications satellites: SKY Brasil-1, for operation by DirecTV Latin America; and Indonesian service provider PT Telkom’s Telkom-3S.

***
Is the primary name for the one satellite SKY Brasil-1 or Intelsat 32e?

[bolun]

http://www.csgpreparationlancement.com/ariane/vol-ariane-235-lancement-des-satellites-sky-brasil-1-et-telkom-3s/

Rocket integration

[bolun]

http://www.arianespace.com/mission-update/ariane-5-takes-shape-for-first-2017-launch/

The mid-February mission – designated Flight VA235 – will orbit a pair of communications satellites: SKY Brasil-1 for operation by DirecTV Latin America; and Telkom-3S for Indonesian service provider, Telkom. Both spacecraft are scheduled to arrive at the Spaceport in early January.

[tehwkd]

A0014/17 - LIME

A0015/17 - RED

Previous occasions have shown T-0 to be 60min after notam start, estimated T-0: 2135 UTC

[Galactic Penguin SST]

A0014/17 - LIME

A0015/17 - RED

Previous occasions have shown T-0 to be 60min after notam start, estimated T-0: 2135 UTC

SFN gives the launch window as 21:39 - 23:05 UTC. 

[bolun]

https://twitter.com/arianespaceceo/status/820282082144514050

Stéphane Israël ‏@arianespaceceo  14 ene.

Doubling up! Both payloads for #Ariane5’s 1st mission of 2017 are now in French Guiana: SKY Brasil-1 & Telkom-3S. Liftoff is Feb. 14. #VA235

[jacqmans]

January 23, 2017 

SKY Brasil-1 and Telkom-3S are readied for Arianespace’s initial Ariane 5 mission in 2017


The two telecommunications satellites for Arianespace’s first Ariane 5 liftoff of 2017 are undergoing checkout at the Spaceport in preparation for a mid-February flight from French Guiana to geostationary transfer orbit.


Riding in the upper position of Ariane 5’s dual-payload dispenser system will be SKY Brasil-1, a satellite for operation by DIRECTV Latin America to expand the delivery of high-definition, 3-D television and cinema programming throughout Brazil.

Telkom-3S will be deployed as the mission’s second passenger from its location in the launch vehicle’s lower payload position, and utilized in orbit by Indonesian service provider Telkom.

Both spacecraft are undergoing their preparation activity in the Spaceport’s S5 payload processing facility.

A busy manifest: up to 12 missions in 2017

February’s mission with Ariane 5 is designated Flight VA235, signifying the 235th launch of an Ariane-series vehicle from French Guiana. It is one of up to 12 missions targeted by Arianespace in 2017 utilizing its heavy-lift Ariane 5, medium-lift Soyuz and lightweight Vega launcher family.

SKY Brasil-1 was built by Airbus Defence and Space based on the EuroStar 3000 platform, and will have a mass of approximately 6,300 kg. at launch. It is equipped with 81 transponders operating in Ku- and Ka-bands.

Telkom-3S was produced by Thales Alenia Space utilizing the Spacebus 4000B2 platform, with a liftoff mass of about 3,500 kg.  Outfitted with 24 C-band transponders, eight extended C-band transponders and 10 Ku-band transponders, Telkom-3S will provide coverage over Indonesia and Southeast Asia.

http://www.arianespace.com/mission-update/payload-checkout-ariane-5-flight-va235/

[wsl2005]

Logos installed on fairing

[Lewis007]

VA235 launch sticker (CSG)

[jacqmans]

Arianespace to launch digital TV broadcast satellites for Brazil and Indonesia


February 7, 2017 – For its second flight of the year from the Guiana Space Center, and the first Ariane 5 launch in 2017, Arianespace will orbit two satellites: SKY Brasil-1 for the operator AT&T/DIRECTV; and Telkom 3S for Telkom Indonesia, within the scope of a turnkey contract with Thales Alenia Space.

The launch will be from Ariane Launch Complex No. 3 (ELA 3) in Kourou, French Guiana.

The Launch Readiness Review (LRR) will take place on Friday, February 10, 2017 in Kourou, to authorize the start of operations for the final countdown.

SKY Brasil-1 (also known as SKYB-1) will be the 10th satellite launched by Arianespace for the operator AT&T/DIRECTV. The most recent launch was on May 27, 2015, lofting SKY México-1 and DIRECTV 15 on the same Ariane 5.

 AT&T/DIRECTV, a world leading provider of digital television programs, will use the SKY Brasil-1 satellite via its DIRECTV Latin America subsidiary.

 SKY Brasil-1 is a high-definition television (HDTV) broadcast satellite. Weighing approximately 6,000 kg. at launch, it is fitted with 60 Ku-band transponders. SKY Brasil-1 will be positioned at 43.1° West, and will cover Brazil.

 The satellite was built by Airbus Defence and Space in Toulouse, France, using the Eurostar E3000 platform.

 After Telkom 1 and Telkom 2 respectively launched in 1999 and 2005, Telkom 3S will be the third satellite entrusted to Arianespace by Telkom Indonesia, this time within the scope of a turnkey contract with Thales Alenia Space.

 Telkom Indonesia is an Indonesian state-owned company that supplies telecommunications, information, media and entertainment services (TIMES) to millions of customers throughout the Indonesian archipelago.

 Telkom 3S will provide high-definition television services (HDTV), as well as mobile communications and internet applications. Positioned at 118° East, Telkom 3S will provide C-band coverage of Indonesia and Southeast Asia, while extended C-band beams will cover Indonesia and part of Malaysia.

 It also is fitted with Ku-band transponders dedicated to national coverage.

 Telkom 3S was built by Thales Alenia Space in Toulouse and Cannes, France, using a Spacebus 4000B2 platform.

 For further information, download the Launch Kit by clicking here: http://www.arianespace.com/press-kits/

 To watch a live, high-speed online transmission of the launch (including commentary from the launch site in French and English), go to arianespace.com on February 14, 2017 starting 15 minutes before liftoff.
 
 

[jacqmans]

February 6, 2017 

Satellites are fueled and ready to go for Arianespace’s first Ariane 5 mission of 2017

The two telecommunications satellites for Arianespace’s next heavy-lift Ariane 5 launch – SKY Brasil-1 and Telkom 3S – have been fueled in preparation for liftoff next week from the Spaceport in French Guiana.

This flight will be the initial Ariane 5 mission in 2017 and the second of up to 12 Arianespace launches during the year operated with the company’s launcher family, which also includes the medium-lift Soyuz and lightweight Vega.

Ariane 5’s overall payload lift performance for the upcoming flight – set for February 14 from the Spaceport’s ELA-3 launch zone – is more than 10.4 metric tons. Its two passengers will be deployed into geostationary transfer orbit during a profile lasting just under 40 minutes.

The mission is designated Flight VA235 in Arianespace’s numbering system, signifying the 235th launch of an Ariane family vehicle from the Spaceport since the series of European-built launchers entered service in December 1979.

Payload fairing logos for the mission’s two passengers

Ahead of the satellites’ integration on Ariane 5, the ogive-shaped payload fairing that will protect them during initial climb-out through the atmosphere has been adorned with decals representing the two satellites’ operators and the spacecraft manufacturers.

Affixed on the fairing’s upper position are logos for the SKY Brasil-1 satellite, to be utilized by AT&T/DIRECTV via its DIRECTV Latin America subsidiary to expand direct-to-home high definition programming.  The spacecraft will be separated first during the Flight VA235 sequence, and is to provide coverage over Brazil once operational from its geostationary orbital slot.

SKY Brasil-1 was built by Airbus Defence and Space in Toulouse, France, using the Eurostar E3000 platform.

Flight VA235’s Telkom 3S passenger will be integrated in Ariane 5’s lower payload position for release during the mission’s second deployment phase.  This satellite will provide high-definition television services, as well as mobile communications and internet applications for Telkom Indonesia.  It was built by Thales Alenia Space in Toulouse and Cannes, France using a Spacebus 4000B2 platform.

Up to seven Ariane 5 liftoffs planned during 2017

The Ariane 5 for next week’s launch currently is in the Spaceport’s Final Integration Building, where it is ready for installation of the two satellite passengers.  It was delivered to Arianespace by Airbus Safran Launchers, production prime contractor for the heavy-lift vehicle.

Arianespace’s busy mission manifest for 2017 – to be confirmed based on payload availability – foresees up to seven Ariane 5 launches during the year, joined by three missions utilizing Vega and two with Soyuz.

The year’s activity began on January 27, when a Soyuz lofted Europe’s Hispasat 36W-1 telecommunications satellite on the medium-lift launcher’s first mission from French Guiana to geostationary transfer orbit.

http://www.arianespace.com/mission-update/ariane-5-va235-payload-fueling/

[bolun]

February 10, 2017

Ariane 5: Assembled and cleared for Arianespace’s initial heavy-lift launch of 2017

Arianespace’s first Ariane 5 mission of 2017 – and the company’s second launch so far this year – was given clearance for liftoff from the Spaceport in French Guiana next week with digital TV broadcast satellite passengers for Brazil and Indonesia.

The authorization was provided following today’s Launch Readiness Review, which verified the heavy-lift Ariane 5’s “go” status, along with its SKY Brasil-1 and Telkom 3S spacecraft, the Spaceport’s infrastructure, and the network of flight-following ground stations.

Liftoff of the mission – designated Flight VA235 in Arianespace’s launcher family numbering system – is set for February 14 during a launch window that opens at 6:39 p.m. in French Guiana (21h39 UTC). Its two relay platforms are to be deployed into geostationary transfer orbit during a mission lasting just under 40 minutes.

Completing Ariane 5’s build-up at the Spaceport

Activity at the Spaceport leading up to today’s Launch Readiness Review included completion of the launch vehicle’s integration in the Final Assembly Building for Ariane 5. During this process, Telkom 3S was mated to Ariane 5’s core cryogenic stage, followed by installation of the ogive-shaped payload fairing containing SKY Brasil-1 and the SYLDA dispenser system (enabling dual payloads to be carried by Arianespace’s heavy-lift launcher).

Released first during Flight VA235 will be SKY Brasil-1, developed for utilization by AT&T/DIRECTV via its DIRECTV Latin America subsidiary to expand direct-to-home high definition programming. The 6,000-kg.-class satellite was produced by Airbus Defence and Space in Toulouse, France, using the spacecraft manufacturer’s Eurostar E3000 platform.

Approximately 12 minutes after SKY Brasil-1’s separation will be the deployment of Telkom 3S, designed for the delivery of high-definition television services as well as mobile communications and internet applications for Telkom Indonesia. The 3,550-kg. relay platform was built by Thales Alenia Space – Toulouse and Cannes, France, based on the Spacebus 4000B2 platform.

A busy year for Arianespace’s launcher family

Flight VA235 is one of up to 12 Spaceport missions to be operated during the year by Arianespace’s launcher family, which also is composed of the medium-lift Soyuz and lightweight Vega. Of the total, as many as seven liftoffs in 2017 will utilize Ariane 5s – developed and built by Airbus Safran Launchers as production prime contractor.

The next mission after Flight VA235 is scheduled for early March with Vega, deploying the Sentinel-2B Earth observation satellite into a Sun-synchronous orbit.

Arianespace opened its 2017 launch activity on January 27, when a Soyuz vehicle orbited Hispasat 36W-1 on a trajectory that injected the telecommunications satellite into geostationary transfer orbit.

 http://www.arianespace.com/mission-update/va235-launch-readiness-review/

[ZachS09]

Thanks to bolun's post regarding the clearance of VA-235, I've figured that the payload mass excluding the Sylda and payload attach fittings is 9,550 kilograms; 6,000 kg (Intelsat 32e/SKY-Brasil 1) + 3,550 kg (Telkom 3S).

This will be the fifth heaviest satellite duo launched by an Ariane 5; the dual Intelsat launch in August 2016 still holds the record.

[bolun]

February 13, 2017

Ariane 5 is ready for Arianespace’s first heavy-lift mission of 2017

Arianespace has rolled out the Ariane 5 for its initial heavy-lift mission in 2017, scheduled for tomorrow evening from the Spaceport in French Guiana to orbit the SKY Brasil-1 and Telkom 3S satellites.

This Ariane 5 was transferred today from the Spaceport’s Final Assembly Building to the ELA-3 launch zone, readying it for departure during a launch window that opens at 6:39 p.m. in French Guiana (21h39 UTC). The two passengers are to be deployed into geostationary transfer orbit.

SKY Brasil-1 is located in the launcher’s upper payload position, and will be released first during the flight. Developed for utilization by AT&T/DIRECTV via its DIRECTV Latin America subsidiary, the 6,000-kg.-class satellite is to expand direct-to-home high-definition programming for Brazil. It was produced by Airbus Defence and Space in Toulouse, France, using the spacecraft manufacturer’s Eurostar E3000 platform.

A sustained cadence with Ariane 5, Soyuz and Vega

Riding in the lower payload slot, Telkom 3S will be deployed at just under 40 minutes after Ariane 5’s liftoff. This 3,550-kg. relay platform was designed for the delivery of high-definition television services, as well as mobile communications and Internet applications for Telkom Indonesia – providing coverage over Indonesia and Southeast Asia. It will be orbited in the framework of a turnkey contract with Thales Alenia Space, which produced it at Toulouse and Cannes, France, based on the Spacebus 4000B2 platform.

Tomorrow’s launch, designated Flight VA235 in Arianespace’s launcher family numbering system, is one of up to 12 Spaceport missions planned this year with Arianespace’s heavy-lift Ariane 5, medium-lift Soyuz and lightweight Vega.

http://www.arianespace.com/mission-update/ariane-5-rollout-va235/

[Satori]

Moved for live coverage!

[Jester]

Launchkit

[Bean Kenobi]

I'm confused by one little thing...

In the past the main satellite on this launch was described as "an Intelsat satellite, named Intelsat 32e, with a SkyBrasil hosted payload", including when the launch contract was signed with Arianespace.

Recently Intelsat-ownership totally disappeared from the news about this launch : Arianespace itself naming this satellite as "SkyBrasil" only.

2013 : http://spacenews.com/37839astrium-to-build-ku-band-satellite-for-directv-latin-america/
2015 : http://spacenews.com/directv-and-intelsat-owned-satellite-will-host-yahsat-payload/

The Intelsat website itself speaks only vaguely about an Intelsat 32e satellite in secondary pages, without including it in its "Upcoming launches" main section.

If I understand correctly, it seems actually that Intelsat 32e is the hosted payload and SkyBrasil the main satellite.

Does anybody know why ?

Thanks !

[eeergo]

I'm confused by one little thing...

In the past the main satellite on this launch was described as "an Intelsat satellite, named Intelsat 32e, with a SkyBrasil hosted payload", including when the launch contract was signed with Arianespace.

Recently Intelsat-ownership totally disappeared from the news about this launch : Arianespace itself naming this satellite as "SkyBrasil" only.

2013 : http://spacenews.com/37839astrium-to-build-ku-band-satellite-for-directv-latin-america/
2015 : http://spacenews.com/directv-and-intelsat-owned-satellite-will-host-yahsat-payload/

The Intelsat website itself speaks only vaguely about an Intelsat 32e satellite in secondary pages, without including it in its "Upcoming launches" main section.

If I understand correctly, it seems actually that Intelsat 32e is the hosted payload and SkyBrasil the main satellite.

Does anybody know why ?

Thanks !

According to a friend in Intelsat I checked with, the I-32e payload is all theirs, and is indeed flying today. Why the satellite has been re-named and what payload is considered the hosted one and which the main, he doesn't know.

EDIT: Confirmed SkyBrasil-1 is the hosted payloads in the Intelsat-operated sat on behalf of AT&T/DirecTV.

[FutureSpaceTourist]

Very nice photos of @Arianespace 's launcher in #French #Guiana. #Telkom3S built by @Thales_Alenia_S is scheduled for launch tonight.

https://twitter.com/thales_alenia_s/status/831534463574278146

[northenarc]

'Guess what is hidden between the trees? #Ariane5. And guess what is hidden inside the laucher? 2 satellites including #Telkom3S @Arianespace'

  https://twitter.com/Thales_Alenia_S/status/831544808300744707