Ariane 5 ECA - Astra 3B & COMSATBw2 (launched May 21, 2010)

[Zipi]

Launch time: 22:01 GMT (6:01 pm. EDT)
Launch site: ELA-3, Kourou, French Guiana

Arianespace Flight 194 will use an Ariane 5 rocket with a cryogenic upper stage to launch the Astra 3B direct-to-home television and broadband satellite for Europe and COMSATBw 2 communications satellite for the German military.

Live Streams: (These are running Arianespace commercial 24/7 if there is no live stream available)
Web browser link: http://www.videocorner.tv/
Direct stream link: http://hwcdn.net/q9w9t4k6/wms/2008--2.wmv.asx
You may have to copy & paste above link to your media player to make it work.


More Ariane 5 Photos from: http://www.arianespace.com/Press-center ... mpaign.asp

Launcher version: Ariane 5 ECA
Payloads: ASTRA 3B & COMSATBw-2
Customers: For ASTRA 3B: SES ASTRA, for COMSATBw-2: Astrium GmbH for Bundeswehr
Mission: For ASTRA 3B Telecommunications, for COMSATBw-2 Secure military communications
Payload prime contractors: For ASTRA 3B: Astrium, for COMSATBw-2: Thales Alenia Space

Arianespace's Ariane 5 Page: http://www.arianespace.com/launch-servi ... -intro.asp
Ariane 5 Wikipedia Article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ariane_5

Astra Satellites Wikipedia Article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SES_Astra
COMSATBw Wikipedia Article: http://translate.google.com/translate?h ... 2FSATCOMBw
(without Google Translation: http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/SATCOMBw)

 

[Zipi]

Re: March 24, Ariane 5 ECA Launch with Astra 3B & COMSATBw 2

The Ariane 5 core cryogenic stage for Arianespace’s second mission of 2010 is delivered to French Guiana after its trans-Atlantic voyage aboard the MN Toucan transport ship, while the launcher for this year’s inaugural flight has moved from the Spaceport’s integration building to the final assembly facility.

Launch campaign activity moves into full swing for another active year with Arianespace's Ariane 5
February 5, 2010

Arianespace is laying the groundwork for another busy year with its workhorse Ariane 5, as the first mission of 2010 moves into its second phase of preparations and the follow-on flight’s launch vehicle is delivered to French Guiana.

The heavy-lift Ariane 5 ECA for Arianespace’s kick-off mission of 2010 was transferred from the Spaceport’s Launcher Integration Building to the Final Assembly Building this morning, readying it to receive a dual-satellite payload.

This flight is scheduled for March 24, carrying the ASTRA 3B telecommunications satellite for SES ASTRA, and the German COMSATBw-2 secure military relay platform.

As preparations move forward for the launch, the next flight’s Ariane 5 has arrived in French Guiana aboard the MN Toucan roll-on roll-off transport ship. After the MN Toucan docked at Pariacabo port on February 2, the launcher elements were transported to the Spaceport, where this vehicle will soon be taking shape in the Launcher Integration Building.

Quoted from: http://www.arianespace.com/news-mission ... 10/667.asp

The ASTRA 3B satellite was airlifted to French Guiana by an Antonov An-124 cargo jetliner, which landed at Rochambeau International Airport near Cayenne.

ASTRA 3B arrives for Arianespace’s year-opening launch of 2010
February 11, 2010

The first of two satellite payloads for Arianespace’s initial Ariane 5 mission of 2010 has arrived in French Guiana.

SES ASTRA’s ASTRA 3B spacecraft was delivered by an Antonov An-124 cargo jetliner, which landed yesterday at Rochambeau International Airport near the capital city of Cayenne.

Built by EADS Astrium, ASTRA 3B is a state-of-the-art Ku- and Ka-band spacecraft designed for the distribution of both direct-to-home broadcast services and two-way broadband services across Europe and the Middle East. It will be positioned at the increasingly important 23.5 deg. East orbital position for SES ASTRA.

ASTRA 3B has a payload power of 10 kW, and can operate at a relay capacity of up to 60 transponders in Ku-band and 4 in Ka-band. It is based on the Eurostar E3000 satellite bus, and is equipped with six mission antennas – four of which are side-mounted and will be deployed in orbit. With a launch mass of 5,470 kilograms, ASTRA 3B has been designed for a nominal lifetime of 15 years.

Liftoff of the upcoming dual-payload Ariane 5 mission is set for March 24, initiating another busy schedule in which Arianespace has planned a total of seven flights for its heavy-lift workhorse during 2010. In addition, three missions are targeted with the medium-lift Soyuz from its new Spaceport launch facility, and the lightweight Vega vehicle’s maiden flight also could occur before year-end from the Spaceport.

Quoted from: http://www.arianespace.com/news-mission ... 10/668.asp

Payload preparations are underway for Arianespace’s first launch of 2010
February 22, 2010

The first-arrived payload for Ariane 5’s year-opening flight is undergoing initial checkout at Europe’s Spaceport as preparations move forward for a dual-passenger mission set for March 24.

After ASTRA 3B’s delivery in French Guiana earlier this month, the spacecraft was moved into the Spaceport’s S5 facility – where it has since undergone initial fit-check validation with the adapter that will serve as the satellite’s interface with Ariane 5 (see photo, at right).

The EADS Astrium-built ASTRA 3B is a state-of-the-art Ku- and Ka-band spacecraft designed for the distribution of both direct-to-home broadcast services and two-way broadband services across Europe and the Middle East. With a launch mass of 5,470 kilograms, it will be positioned at the increasingly important 23.5 deg. East orbital position for Luxembourg-based SES ASTRA.

This upcoming flight will orbit ASTRA 3B along with another satellite produced by EADS Astrium, COMSATBw-2 – kicking off Arianespace’s busy schedule of seven Ariane 5 missions in 2010.

Quoted from: http://www.arianespace.com/news-mission ... 10/669.asp

Germany’s COMSATBw-2 military relay platform is ready for unloading after being airlifted to French Guiana.

French Guiana welcomes the second passenger for Ariane 5’s upcoming mission
February 23, 2010

Both payloads for Arianespace’s initial Ariane 5 flight of 2010 are now in French Guiana, following last week’s arrival of COMSATBw-2 at Rochambeau International Airport near the capital city of Cayenne.

COMSATBw-2 is a secure relay platform that will deliver key services for the German Bundeswehr (German armed forces), and is a follow-on spacecraft to COMSATBw-1 – which was orbited by Ariane 5 in October 2009.

Together, the COMSATBw satellites will provide a secure broadband network which guarantees uninterrupted communications between the government, military authorities and armed forces deployed around the world.

Based on the Spacebus 3000B2 platform, COMSATBw-2 was designed, integrated and tested by satellite prime contractor Thales Alenia Space on behalf of EADS Astrium – which is the program’s space segment prime contractor.

With this spacecraft’s delivery to French Guiana, COMSATBw-2 joins its “sister” payload for the upcoming mission – ASTRA 3B, which currently is undergoing pre-launch checkout at the Spaceport. ASTRA 3B was built by Astrium for commercial telecommunications operator SES ASTRA.

An Ariane 5 ECA will orbit COMSATBw-2 and ASTRA 3B from Europe’s Spaceport on March 24. This year-opening flight will initiate Arianespace’s busy launch schedule in 2010, which plans for seven missions with the heavy-lift vehicle.

Quoted from: http://www.arianespace.com/news-mission ... 10/670.asp

 

[Zipi]

Re: March 24, Ariane 5 ECA Launch with Astra 3B & COMSATBw 2

Ariane 5 ECA Cutout Image: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/c ... _5_ECA.gif

The Main Cryogenic Stage:

As the central element of Ariane 5, the core cryogenic stage serves as one of the launcher's key propulsion systems.

It carries a propellant load of 132.27 metric tons of liquid oxygen and 25.84 metric tons of liquid hydrogen to feed the stage's Vulcain main engine.

The Vulcain burns for just under 600 seconds, providing up to 116 metric tons of thrust in vacuum.

The stage has an overall length of 30.5 meters from the Vulcain main engine's nozzle to the forward (upper) skirt.

Its dry mass is 12.2 metric tons, and the liftoff mass with its load of cryogenic propellant is 170.3 metric tons.

After completing its propulsive mission, the empty stage is commanded to reenter the atmosphere for an ocean splashdown.

Vulcain II Main Engine:

Vulcain Wikipedia Article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vulcain
Vulcain-2 Volvo Aero Product Guide: http://www.volvoaero.com/SiteCollection ... 2_2005.pdf
Volvo Aero Vulcain 2 Product Page: http://www.volvoaero.com/VOLVOAERO/GLOB ... ain_2.aspx
Snecma Vulcain 2 Marketing Brochure: http://www.snecma.com/IMG/pdf/Brochure_ ... pdf#page=7
Snecma Vulcain 2 Technical Sheet: http://www.snecma.com/IMG/pdf/VULCAIN_2_ang-2.pdf
Snecma Vulcain 2 Product Page: http://www.snecma.com/spip.php?article121&lang=en

Solid Rocket Boosters:

Arianespace's Booster Manufacturing Page: http://www.arianespace.com/spaceport-ar ... ooster.asp
Booster Test Stand Page: http://www.cnes.fr/web/CNES-en/2887-ari ... -stand.php
Booster Manufacturer: http://www.aviogroup.com/en/avio_heritage/spazio (AvioGroup, FiatAvio, Regulus)

Ariane 5 utilizes two solid boosters, each standing more than 30 meters tall with 237.8 metric tons of propellant. The boosters are ignited on the launch pad once the main cryogenic stage's Vulcain engine has stabilized its thrust output.

They deliver more than 90 percent of the launcher's total thrust at the start of flight and burn for 130 sec. before they are separated over a designated zone of the Atlantic Ocean.

The booster stage’s solid rocket motor is made up of three segments: the 11.1-meter-long aft (lower) segment, which is loaded with 106.7 metric tons of propellant; the center segment, with a length of 10.17 meters and 107.4 metric tons of propellant; and the 3.5-meter-long forward (upper) segment, loaded with 23.4 metric tons of propellant.

A propellant mix of 68 percent ammonium perchlorate (oxidizer), 18 percent aluminum (fuel), and 14 percent polybutadiene (binder) is used in the solid rocket motors.

The combustion process is initiated by a pyrotechnic device, and the solid propellant burns at a radial velocity (from the center outward) of approximately 7.4 mm/sec.

Flight control is provided by the boosters' movable nozzle, which is driven by hydraulically-controlled servoactuators.

Second Stage:

The second stage of Ariane 5 ECA rocket uses one HM7-B engine burning LH2/LOX.

HM7-B Wikipedia Article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HM7-B
Snecma HM7-B Marketing Brochure: http://www.snecma.com/IMG/pdf/Brochure_ ... pdf#page=8
Snecma HM7-B Technical Sheet: http://www.snecma.com/IMG/pdf/HM7B_Anglais.pdf
snecma HM7-B Product Page: http://www.snecma.com/spip.php?article120&lang=en

More information about Ariane 5 Launch vehicle's technology: http://www.le-webmag.com/article.php3?i ... 20&lang=en
ESA's Ariane 5 Detailed Information Page: http://esamultimedia.esa.int/multimedia ... riane.html

 

[Zipi]

Re: March 24, Ariane 5 ECA Launch with Astra 3B & COMSATBw 2

Official Site to Check the Launch Window: http://www.cnes-csg.fr/web/CNES-CSG-fr/ ... n-vol-.php

Astrium's Press Release about ASTRA 3B: http://www.astrium.eads.net/en/press-re ... -site.html
High-res Image of ASTRA 3B: http://www.astrium.eads.net/media/image ... strium.JPG
EADS Press Release about ASTRA 3B: http://www.eads.net/800/de/pressdb/pres ... tra3b.html

Thales Alenia's Press Release about COMSATBw-2: http://www.thalesgroup.com/Pages/PressR ... 3&pid=1575

 

[EarthlingX]

Re: March 24, Ariane 5 ECA Launch with Astra 3B & COMSATBw 2

From Arianspace
ASTRA 3B is “topped off” for Arianespace’s year-opening flight

March 3, 2010

Satellite preparations for Ariane 5’s initial launch of 2010 have moved into a new phase with the fueling of ASTRA 3B – which is one of two passengers to be orbited by the heavy-lift vehicle on March 24.


ASTRA 3B is topped off in the S5 payload preparation facility’s S5B hall.

and related :

Arianespace’s second Ariane 5 for launch in 2010 enters its assembly process at the Spaceport

March 5, 2010

The Ariane 5 for Arianespace’s second dual-payload flight of 2010 has begun its assembly as the Spaceport in French Guiana is once again the center of activity for two parallel missions.


The cryogenic core stage for Arianespace’s second Ariane 5 launch of 2010 is prepared for its erection (photo at left). This was followed by the rollout of its two solid boosters, which are mated to the core stage to form the launcher’s primary propulsion system for liftoff and ascent.

 

[EarthlingX]

Re: March 24, Ariane 5 ECA Launch with Astra 3B & COMSATBw 2

From Arianespace :

ASTRA 3B begins its integration with launcher hardware for Ariane 5’s March 24 mission

March 9, 2010

Satellite preparations for Arianespace’s first mission of 2010 have transitioned into their final phase, with the ASTRA 3B payload making its first contact with Ariane 5 launcher hardware.

 

[Zipi]

Re: March 24, Ariane 5 ECA Launch with Astra 3B & COMSATBw 2

Final payload integration begins for Arianespace’s upcoming Ariane 5 flight

ASTRA 3B is lowered for its installation atop Ariane 5’s SYLDA structure, which serves as the dispenser system for the heavy-lift launch vehicle’s dual-satellite payload.

March 12, 2010 – Ariane Flight V194

Arianespace has initiated the payload “stack” build-up for its year-opening heavy-lift Ariane 5 ECA mission, which will orbit a dual payload of commercial and military telecommunications satellites from the Spaceport in French Guiana.

The integration activity moved into full swing this week with ASTRA 3B’s installation atop the Ariane 5 SYLDA dual-payload dispenser system, which occurred in the Spaceport’s launch vehicle Final Assembly Building.

Riding as the flight’s upper passenger, ASTRA 3B will be deployed first in the launch sequence – to ultimately be positioned at SES ASTRA’s important 23.5 deg. East orbital location, where it will provide direct-to-home broadcast services and two-way broadband relay across Europe and the Middle East.

This EADS Astrium-produced spacecraft is based on the Eurostar E3000 satellite bus, and will have a liftoff mass of 5,470 kg. ASTRA 3B is designed for a nominal lifetime of 15 years.

ASTRA 3B and its SYLDA dispenser will be positioned over the Ariane 5 ECA’s lower passenger for the upcoming mission, COMSATBw-2, which is continuing its pre-launch processing at the Spaceport. As a secure relay platform, it will deliver key services for the German Bundeswehr (German armed forces), and is a follow-on spacecraft to COMSATBw-1 – which was orbited by an Ariane 5 ECA version in October 2009.

Liftoff for this upcoming Ariane 5 mission is set for March 24 – initiating Arianespace’s busy launch schedule in 2010, which has seven missions planned with the workhorse vehicle.

The Ariane 5’s second launch of this year is targeted for late April, and will loft another pair of spacecraft: Arabsat 5A for satellite services provider Arabsat, and COMS for the Korean Aerospace and Research Institute of South Korea.


Integration of ASTRA 3B was performed in the Ariane 5 Final Assembly Building at Europe’s Spaceport.

Original article: http://www.arianespace.com/news-mission ... 10/676.asp

 

[Zipi]

Re: Ariane 5 ECA Launch with Astra 3B & COMSATBw 2 (DELAYED)

Launch delay for Arianespace's Ariane 5 mission with the ASTRA 3B and COMSATBw-2 satellite payloads
March 18, 2010 – Ariane Flight V194

The flight of Arianespace’s initial Ariane 5 in 2010 has been postponed to allow for certain additional verifications on the launch vehicle.

This delay is in line with Arianespace’s policy of ensuring the total readiness of its launchers as part of the company’s commitment to quality and reliability.

The Ariane 5, with its integrated payload of the ASTRA 3B and COMSATBw-2 satellites, is in a safe mode inside the Final Assembly Building at Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana.

A new date for the mission will be announced as soon as possible.

Original Arianespace Press Release: http://www.arianespace.com/news-mission ... 10/679.asp

 

[Zipi]

Re: March 26, Ariane 5 ECA Launch with Astra 3B & COMSATBw 2

Liftoff of the first Ariane 5 in 2010 is set for March 26 with a dual payload of civilian and military telecommunications satellites
March 23, 2010 – Ariane Flight V194

The fairing for Ariane 5’s dual-payload “stack” carries Arianespace’s logo and its “Service & Solutions” message tagline.

Arianespace has set for March 26 its initial Ariane 5 mission of 2010, which will carry SES ASTRA’s ASTRA 3B commercial telecommunications satellite and the COMSATBw-2 secure relay platform for the German armed forces.

The Friday evening liftoff is scheduled at the opening of a launch window that runs from 7:03 p.m. local time at the Spaceport in French Guiana to 7:52 p.m. (22h03-22h52 UTC).

This mission will be the 194th flight of an Ariane family launch vehicle, and the 50th for an Ariane 5. The heavy-lift Ariane 5 ECA version will be carrying a total payload of approximately 9,115 kg., which includes 7,970 kg. for the ASTRA 3B and COMSATBw-2 satellites, plus the associated integration hardware and the SYLDA dual-payload dispenser system.

ASTRA 3B is a state-of-the-art Ku- and Ka-band spacecraft designed for direct-to-home broadcast services and two-way broadband relay across Europe and the Middle East. Produced by EADS Astrium, it will be positioned at SES ASTRA’s important 23.5 deg. East orbital position.

COMSATBw-2 will deliver key services for the German Bundeswehr (German armed forces). Based on the Spacebus 3000B2 satellite bus, the platform was designed, integrated and tested by Thales Alenia Space on behalf of EADS Astrium – the program’s space segment prime contractor.

This year-opening flight had been postponed from March 24 to allow for certain additional verifications on the launch vehicle. The delay is in line with Arianespace’s policy of ensuring the total readiness of its launchers as part of the company’s commitment to quality and reliability.

Quoted from: http://www.arianespace.com/news-mission ... 10/680.asp

 

[Zipi]

Re: March 26, Ariane 5 ECA Launch with Astra 3B & COMSATBw 2

Spaceflight Now's article of today's launch: http://www.spaceflightnow.com/ariane/v194/preview/

 

[EarthlingX]

Re: March 26, Ariane 5 ECA Launch with Astra 3B & COMSATBw 2

Arianespace : Flight 194 - ASTRA 3B & COMSATBw-2: launch delayed

Kourou, March 26, 2010

During final count-down operations for Flight 194 slated for today, an anomaly occurred in a launcher subsystem.

As a result, Arianespace has decided to replace this part, and thus to postpone the launch for a few days.

The launch vehicle and its ASTRA 3B and COMSATBw-2 satellite payloads have been placed in stand-by mode and maintained in fully safe conditions.

This is also worth checking, technical pictures, and more :

ArianeSpace : Launch kit - Latest launch kit

 

[Zipi]

Re: NET April 8, Ariane 5 ECA Launch with Astra 3B & COMSATBw 2

Spaceflight Now reports NET April 8 for this launch.

 

[Zipi]

Re: April 9, Ariane 5 ECA Launch with Astra 3B & COMSATBw 2

Arianespace launch 194 – ASTRA 3B & COMSATBw-2: Liftoff is set for Friday, April 9, 2010
Evry, France, April 6, 2010

Following additional checks, Arianespace has decided to restart the final countdown for its mission with the ASTRA 3B and COMSATBw-2 satellites.

Liftoff of the Ariane 5 launcher is now set for the night of Friday, April 9, as early as possible in the following launch window:
From 6:59 p.m. to 7:48 p.m., local time in Kourou, French Guiana
From 5:59 p.m. to 6:48 p.m. in Washington, D.C.
From 9:59 p.m. to 10:48 p.m. UTC, on April 9.
From 11:59 p.m. to 12:48 a.m. in Paris, on April 9/10.

Original press release: http://www.arianespace.com/news-press-r ... h-date.asp

 

[Zipi]

Re: April 9, Ariane 5 ECA Launch with Astra 3B & COMSATBw 2

Launch time under 30min....

Seems that today direct stream link is: 'http://hwcdn.net/q9w9t4k6/wls/28000-AE_VA_IP203.asx'
(which you may have to copy&paste to your media player)

 

[Zipi]

Re: April 9, Ariane 5 ECA Launch with Astra 3B & COMSATBw 2

Launch criteria is RED at the moment... Let's see what happens.

Might be that this "problem" won't be a problem for launch.

 

[Zipi]

Re: April 9, Ariane 5 ECA Launch with Astra 3B & COMSATBw 2

Current plan for launch is 22:24 GMT.

 

[Zipi]

Re: April 9, Ariane 5 ECA Launch with Astra 3B & COMSATBw 2

Count continues!

 

[Zipi]

Re: April 9, Ariane 5 ECA Launch with Astra 3B & COMSATBw 2

Yet again "ENSEMBLE de LANCEMENT" problem... Damn. Let's wait...

Clocks are returned T-7min - holding.

 

[Zipi]

Re: April 9, Ariane 5 ECA Launch with Astra 3B & COMSATBw 2

Seems that the countdown will resume in few minutes.

 

[Zipi]

Re: April 9, Ariane 5 ECA Launch with Astra 3B & COMSATBw 2

NO-GO for today evening due some pressurization problem. Really quick info and END OF STREAM!

==> Zipi continues beer drinking. Dang. :roll:

 

[MeteorWayne]

Re: April 9, Ariane 5 ECA Launch with Astra 3B & COMSATBw 2

OK, if I have to, I'll drink some beer too. And tune in tomorrow

 

[Zipi]

Re: April 9, Ariane 5 ECA Launch with Astra 3B & COMSATBw 2

Nothing new to report... I was prepared yesterday for friday night launch and more or less prepared for today at saturday night launch... But, seems that this issue will take more time and maybe even rollback of Ariane 5 booster. However, no official information available, just quesses.

 

[EarthlingX]

Re: April 9, Ariane 5 ECA Launch with Astra 3B & COMSATBw 2

Yea, was on ArianeSpace site, with a beer, but very no info.

http://www.arianespace.com/news-mission ... 10/687.asp

Ariane 5's launch with ASTRA 3B and COMSATBw-2 is postponed

April 9, 2010 – Ariane Flight V194

Tonight’s Ariane 5 mission with the ASTRA 3B and COMSATBw-2 satellites has been postponed following the detection of an anomaly in the launch vehicle’s pressurization system during final countdown to liftoff.

The Ariane 5 and its two passengers were put into a safe standby mode, and a new date for the flight will be announced as soon as possible.

Seams it is not possible yet.

 

[Zipi]

Re: April 27, Ariane 5 ECA Launch with Astra 3B & COMSATBw 2

Currently best available information tells that this launch will be 27. of April:

http://translate.google.com/translate?j ... l=fr&tl=en
(without Google Translation in French: http://www.forum-conquete-spatiale.fr/e ... 74-255.htm)

They had to do a rollback since it was a launch vehicle issue. Something went wrong with pressurizing the liquid helium system.

 

[Zipi]

Re: May 21, Ariane 5 ECA Launch with Astra 3B & COMSATBw 2

New launch date has been set: May 21

"We corrected what went wrong, which is a helium subsystem that regulates the pressurization of the launch vehicle," said Jean-Yves Le Gall, Arianespace's chairman and CEO. "Now, we are ready and we will launch on the 21st of May."

Spaceflight Now's article: http://www.spaceflightnow.com/ariane/v194/100513review/