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ЦитироватьНаш следующий спутник будет называться Alphasat I-XL. Его создание финансируется Европейским космическим агентством. Это спутник относится к тому же типу, что спутники Inmarsat 4-го поколения и позволит увеличить емкость нашей глобальной сети передачи данных. Срок службы этого спутника рассчитан до 2040 г. У нас есть контракт на его запуск с компанией Arian. Создание спутника должно быть завершено в 2012 г, запуск намечен на 2012 г.
Источник: ПРАЙМ-ТАСС

ЦитироватьВо-первых, 40 минус 12 будет таки 28. Во-вторых, спутник проектируется с расчётом на стандартный 15-летний срок активного существования.

ЦитироватьAlphasat I-XL (Inmarsat XL)

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Alphasat I-XL [ESA]

Alphasat will be the satellite using the Alphabus proto-flight platform, achieving in-orbit validation of the platform through a commercial operator.

Alphasat I-XL (or Inmarsat XL) will feature a new generation digital signal processor for the payload, and a 12-meter aperture antenna reflector. The spacecraft will have a launch mass of more than 6,000 kg at launch, an electrical power of 12 kW. Planned for launch in 2012, Alphasat I-XL has a design lifetime of 15 years.

Inmarsat intends to fly an extended L- band payload, in parallel to and supporting its existing world-leading global mobile satellite services. This Inmarsat mission definition is based around multimedia mobile services already provided by the current Inmarsat-4 satellites through Broadband Global Area Network (GAN)

The satellite will be positioned at 25 degrees east, with its coverage centred over Africa and providing additional coverage to Europe, the Middle-East and parts of Asia.

Implementation of this Geo-mobile application will use the Alphabus platform design in a configuration that requires a 90 degree change to the satellite flight orientation to improve accommodation of the feed/reflector configuration and allow the embarkation of a large deployable reflector. Both of these capabilities will be offered as options in the Alphabus portfolio.

In addition, Alphasat will embark three ESA-provided technology demonstration payloads:

 an advanced star tracker using active pixel technology,
 an optical laser terminal for geostationary to low-Earth orbit communication at high data rates, and
 a dedicated payload for the characterization of transmission performance in the Q-V band in preparation for possible commercial exploitation of these frequencies.

The Alphasat programme meets the diverse but mutually compatible goals of all the parties, such as the first flight and in-orbit verification of Alphabus and the implementation of an advanced L-band operational payload, which will supplement the existing Inmarsat satellite constellation and offer the opportunity for new and advanced services.

The contract was signed in November 2007 with a launch targeted by 2012.

Nation:    International
Type / Application:    Communication
Operator:    ESA, Inmarsat
Contractors:    EADS Astrium, Thales Alenia Space
Equipment:    ?
Configuration:    Alphabus
Propulsion:    S400
Power:    2 deployable solar arrays, batteries
Lifetime:    15 years
Mass:    + 6000 kg
Orbit:    GEO

ЦитироватьKey features of the Alphabus platform for Alphasat
– Alphabus Service Module in geomobile configuration, compatible with Ariane 5 and Proton 4 m-diameter fairing,
– Repeater Module built in halves, for ease of payload accommodation,
– Total launch mass: more than 6.5 tonnes,
– Total electrical power: 12 kW.[/size]

ЦитироватьBell пишет:
Разговоры про Альфабус идут уже лет 7. Контракт на запуск подписан года как 3. А когда летит-то уже?

ЦитироватьAlphasat experiences heaven on Earth

8 February 2013

Tucked away in a vacuum chamber for several months, Europe's largest telecom satellite has faced the harsh conditions it will deal with once it is launched into space this summer.

Спойлер

Testing at Intespace in Toulouse, France, simulated conditions close to those Alphasat will experience in flight, including the intense cold of its transfer orbits in the early stages of the mission.

Not only was Alphasat's ability to control its temperature tested, but other features were also put through their paces to ensure everything can run under the extreme cold and hot conditions.
Alphasat inside the Intespace Simmer vacuum chamber.
Inside the Intespace Simmer vacuum chamber

"If you were going to test a new car for extreme conditions, you would probably want to do the same thing: not only check the heating and air conditioning, but also make sure that the engine, brakes, ignition and radio work in low temperatures as well as high," explained Philippe Sivac, ESA's Alphasat acting project manager.

To monitor the satellite inside the large chamber, nearly 600 temperature sensors were attached in key locations. A satellite the size of Alphasat can also carry up to 400 flight thermal sensors.
Alphasat's customer team take a final look before the chamber door is closed.
Alphasat's customer service team

Readouts are displayed in real time, together with the satellite's internal data to help build an overall picture for the team monitoring Alphasat around the clock.

Running Alphasat under very stable thermal situations showed that the thermal-mathematical model is well suited to predict the temperatures in orbit.

"Finally, the performance and functional tests show that all the electronics and software perform as expected even at extreme temperatures."

However, the model will further be checked and refined where needed. "This will require a lot of data processing to adjust the thermal model and make it fit to the measurements gathered during the test," notes Philippe.

Engineers took this opportunity to test new methods and tools that will speed up the processing of such large amounts of information.
The vacuum chamber door closes
The vacuum chamber door closes

All satellites endure a similar series of demanding tests before they are considered to be qualified for launch. Usually it takes about a month, but Alphasat is not quite like other telecom satellites.

Five thermal engineers from ESA worked around-the-clock throughout the extended tests, even working through the Christmas break.

"The complexity of the payload, the number of redundancies and configurations to test and customer specific requirements required testing to exceed two months," says Philippe.

And that's not all. While the 10 m-long, 8 m-diameter chamber was large enough for Alphasat, the handling equipment had to be modified to accommodate the massive satellite.
The Simmer chamber door is closed and sealed on Alphasat
Chamber door is closed and sealed

Alphasat is a high-power telecom satellite built by Astrium, through a public–private partnership between ESA and UK operator Inmarsat.

It is based on the mighty Alphabus, the new European telecom platform developed by Astrium and Thales Alenia Space under joint contract from ESA and the French space agency, CNES.

Alphabus is Europe's response to increased market pressure for larger telecom payloads for direct-to-home TV broadcasting, digital audio broadcasting, broadband access and mobile services.

Launch is expected this summer aboard an Ariane 5 from Europe's Spaceport in French Guiana.

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ЦитироватьJuly     Ariane 5  •  Alphasat XL & GSAT 7
Launch time: TBD
Launch site: ELA-3, Kourou, French Guiana

Arianespace will use an Ariane 5 ECA rocket, designated VA214, to launch the Alphasat XL and GSAT 7 communications satellites. Alphasat XL, also called Inmarsat XL, is the first satellite to use the Alphabus platform in a public-private partnership between the European Space Agency, Astrium, Thales Alenia Space and Inmarsat. Alphasat XL will provide mobile communications services to Africa and Europe and test experimental technologies for ESA. GSAT 7 will provide communications services for the Indian Navy and other defense units. [April 2]

ЦитироватьGSat 7, 7A (Insat 4F)

GSAT-7 / INSAT-4F is a multi-band satellite carrying payloads in UHF, S-band, C-band and Ku-band. It is planned to be launched during 2011 onboard GSLV and positioned at 74º East. The satellite weighs 2330 kg with a payload power of 2000W and mission life of 9 years.
INSAT-4 series is planned to have seven satellites, INSAT-4A through INSAT-4G with INSAT-4D as a spare. The transponder capacity of this series has been worked out after evaluating the requirement projected by different uses/user departments. It is planned that, by 2007, INSAT system will have about 250 transponders in various bands catering to a demand of up to 11 Giga Bits Per Second (GBPS) capacity.

Nation: India
Type / Application: Communication
Operator: Insat
Contractors: ISRO
Equipment: UHF, S-band, C-band and Ku-band transponders
Configuration: I-2K (I-2000) Bus
Propulsion: 440 Newton thrust liquid apogee motor
Power: 2 deployable solar arrays, batteries
Lifetime: 9 years
Mass: 2550 kg
Orbit: GEO

Цитироватьinstml пишет:
GSAT-7 никакой не Альфабас

ЦитироватьActivity for the next two Ariane 5 missions is underway at the Spaceport

April 11, 2013 – Ariane Flights VA213 and VA214

ATV Albert Einstein is "topped off" in the S5A fueling and integration hall of the Spaceport's S5 payload preparation building for its upcoming launch on Ariane Flight VA213.

Launcher components for the third Arianespace Ariane 5 mission of 2013 have been delivered to French Guiana, while payload preparations for this year's second heavy-lift flight have marked a new milestone at the Spaceport.

The Ariane 5 to be used for Arianespace's no. 3 flight with its workhorse vehicle in 2013 arrived aboard the MN Colibri, which is one of two roll-on/roll-off ships used to transport Arianespace launchers from Europe to South America. This will be the 214th mission of an Ariane family vehicle – with the mission designated Flight VA214 – and is scheduled for a July liftoff with two satellite passengers.

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The Ariane 5's cryogenic core stage for Ariane Flight VA214 enters the Spaceport after its delivery to French Guiana by the MN Colibri.

ЦитироватьArianespace's launcher cadence continues with four missions being prepared for Ariane 5, Soyuz and Vega

April 26, 2013 – Arianespace Flights VA214, VA213, VS05 and VV02

The Spaceport is operating to the rhythm of Arianespace's launcher family, with four parallel mission campaigns now underway in French Guiana for the heavy-lift Ariane 5, medium-lift Soyuz and lightweight Vega vehicles.

Joining the activity this week are preparations for an Ariane 5 flight planned in the second half of July with the Alphasat and Insat-3D satellites. The mission is designated VA214 in Arianespace's numbering system, and the assembly process for its vehicle began inside the Spaceport's Launcher Integration Building with the placement of Ariane 5's cryogenic core stage over one of two mobile launch tables available for the heavy-lift workhorse.

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Ariane 5's core cryogenic stage for Flight VA214 is readied to begin the launcher's build-up process at the Spaceport,

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while one of the heavy-lift vehicle's two solid propellant boosters is rolled out for mating to the cryogenic stage.

ЦитироватьInsat 3D

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Insat 3D [ISRO]

INSAT-3D is a pure meteorological satellite without additional communication payload as in the other INSAT satellites. It features a 19-channel sounder, a 6-channel imager and a DRT & SAR payload.

Nation:    India
Type / Application:    Meteorology
Operator:    Insat
Contractors:    ISRO
Equipment:    19-channel sounder, a 6-channel imager, DRT & SAR payload
Configuration:    Insat-2/-3 Bus
Propulsion:    440 Newton thrust liquid apogee motor
Power:    Deployable solar array, batteries
Lifetime:    
Mass:    2100 kg
Orbit:    GEO

ЦитироватьAriane Flight VA214's launch vehicle marks a preparation milestone

May 15, 2013 – Ariane Flight VA214

The third Ariane 5 for launch in 2013 has now completed basic build-up at the Spaceport, taking the next step toward Arianespace's two-passenger mission planned fr om French Guiana in July.

This heavy-lift workhorse was equipped with its upper cryogenic stage and vehicle equipment bay inside the Spaceport's Launcher Integration Building, installed as a single "upper composite" atop the core cryogenic stage by prime contractor Astrium.

The launcher will now be readied for transfer to the Final Assembly Building in French Guiana, wh ere Arianespace will take responsibility for final launch preparations and integration of the satellite payloads – Alphasat and INSAT-3D – before a liftoff targeted for the second half of July.

Built by Astrium, Alphasat will weigh more than six metric tons at launch and provide additional L-band capacity for coverage of Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Operated under an agreement between the European Space Agency (ESA) and European commercial satellite operator Inmarsat, it will be the first satellite to use Alphabus, the high-powered European telecommunications platform co-developed by Astrium and Thales Alenia Space under joint contract from ESA and the French CNES space agency.

INSAT-3D is a dedicated meteorological satellite built by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), India's space agency. It will carry weather forecasting payloads, along with a search and rescue relay system, and has a liftoff mass of 2,100 kg., offering 1,100 W of power.

Designated Flight VA214 in Arianespace's numbering system, this launch represents the 214th flight of an Ariane vehicle since this family's maiden liftoff in December 1979.

Flight VA214 is one of two Ariane 5 missions currently being prepared in French Guiana – and is part of Spaceport activity for four launch campaigns in May that involves members of Arianespace's entire launcher family. Pre-flight operations are continuing for Ariane 5's Flight VA213, which will carry Europe's fourth Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV) into orbit next month; and for Soyuz Flight VS05 which will loft four satellites for O3b Networks – scheduled in June as well.  On May 7, Arianespace's lightweight Vega completed its second mission with the successful launch of three passengers – VNREDSat-1, Proba-V and ESTCube-1.

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Ariane Flight VA214's  "upper composite," comprised of the combined cryogenic upper stage and vehicle equipment bay, is hoisted inside the Spaceport's Launcher Integration Building

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 and lowered for installation atop the launcher's core cryogenic stage to complete the Ariane 5's initial build-up.

ЦитироватьEurope Readies First Alphasat Telecom Platform

By Peter B. de Selding | May. 17, 2013

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Astro Aerospace technicians work on the Alphasat 1-XL satellite's AstroMesh reflector. Credit: Northrop Grumman photo

Спойлер

Europe's billion-dollar Alphasat I-XL telecommunications satellite, financed by the French and European space agencies to maintain Europe's commercial competitiveness against the likes of Boeing, Space Systems/Loral and Lockheed Martin, is being prepared for a first launch that may be the program's last.

Alphasat I-XL has been purchased by mobile satellite services operator Inmarsat, which will use the satellite to add to its core L-band business. Inmarsat officials attending an Alphasat briefing at Astrium Satellites' facilities here May 17 said Alphasat I-XL offers Inmarsat unsurpassed flexibility of coverage and power, allowing the company to direct power as demand requires among the satellite's 400 spot beams.

London-based Inmarsat will operate Alphasat at 25 degrees east longitude, where the company's Inmarsat 4F2 is currently stationed. Inmarsat Chief Technology Officer Ruy Pinto said that after six months of Alphasat I-XL operations, the Inmarsat 4F2 satellite would be moved to a new slot to broaden Inmarsat's coverage.

When it was first approved by the 20-nation European Space Agency (ESA) and the French space agency, CNES, the Alphabus program, which funded Alphasat I-XL's development, was intended to have Europe's two big satellite prime contractors work together on a satellite design they could use when bidding jointly on big international commercial programs.

It has not quite worked that way. Astrium Satellites and Thales Alenia Space continue to bid together on the occasional program, but they are mainly commercial telecommunications competitors. Neither has won a competition using the Alphabus/Alphasat design, which is too heavy for most commercial satellite projects.

Alphabus/Alphasat is designed to provide up to 22 kilowatts of on-board power on a satellite whose launch mass could be up to 8,800 kilograms. At one point it appeared the commercial market was moving in that direction, and that Boeing and Space Systems/Loral had products that appealed to it.

To keep Europe in the race, ESA agreed to invest some 438 million euros, which when expressed in today's currency is more than 500 euros, or $650 million. The French space agency invested a lesser sum on its own. ESA is flying four technology demonstration payloads on Alphasat I-XL, including a laser communications terminal and a new-generation star tracker, that Inmarsat has agreed to operate for at least three years.

Later in the program's development, ESA made Alphasat into a public-private partnership with Inmarsat. Inmarsat Chief Executive Rupert Pearce said here May 17 that the company has spent $370 million on Alphasat I-XL, a figure that includes the satellite's construction, insurance and launch aboard a European Ariane 5 heavy-lift rocket.

Inmarsat's financing of the program was helped by a low-interest European Investment Bank loan of up to 225 million euros, and by financial support from several British regional governments in support of Astrium's British operation.

Alphasat I-XL is currently scheduled for launch in late July from Europe's Guiana Space Center in South America.

But if Alphabus/Alphasat as an integrated product no longer seems to coincide with the commercial market, several technologies developed for it have found their way into the current commercial satellite platforms of both Astrium Satellites and Thales Alenia Space.

These technologies include a 100-volt power supply regulator that Astrium has ins erted into its Eurostar production line; a plasma-electric propulsion system, called PPS 1350 developed by Snecma of France; and a communications module structure that permits heavier payloads to be supported by a satellite's main structure.

Eric Beranger, chief executive of Astrium Satellites, said the company is still integrating an Alphabus/Alphasat offer into commercial bids. While it is not at the core of today's commercial demand, Alphasat is well-suite to certain high-power applications, of which mobile communications such as Inmarsat's service is only one, Beranger said.

Inmarsat and Astrium officials here stressed above all the digital signal processor that Astrium provided for Alphasat I-XL.

Pinto said the processor is actually eight integrated signal processors, working in two groups of four, with a combined mass of nearly 250 kilograms. Each of the processors is composed of 17 core computers. The ensemble is capable of performing 2 trillion operations per second.

It is this technology that will give Alphasat IX-L its ability to move power and thus bandwidth around the coverage area of the satellite, which includes all of Africa, the Middle East, most of Europe and Central Asia.

Other commercial satellite operators have said they are seeking flexibility but cannot afford the cost of a digital signal processor. As a result, they opt for bent-pipe satellites that do not feature on-board processing. But with ESA and CNES in the financial loop, Inmarsat concluded that Alphabus/Alphasat was good val ue for money, Pearce said.

Whether other commercial operators will come to the same conclusion without ESA and CNES remains to be seen.

[свернуть]

ЦитироватьPress Trust Of India | chennai/ Bangalore June 13, 2013 Last Updated at 20:31 IST
Arianespace to launch India's Insat-3D spacecraft on July 26
 
European space consortium Arianespace would launch India's Insat-3D, an exclusive meteorological satellite, from its spaceport of Kourou in French Guiana on July 26.

Insat-3D is configured with advanced meteorological payloads - a six Channel Imager, 19 Channel Sounder along with data relay transponder and satellite aided search and rescue payloads, an official of Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) said here today. "The spacecraft platform is adopted from the standard I-2K bus with a power handling capability of around 1,100 W with a lift off mass of 2,090 kg," the official said.

ЦитироватьINSAT-3D - India's Exclusive Meteorological Satellite Will Launch On 26 July
                                                      Discussion in 'InFocus : News Talk (http://www.crazyengineers.com/forums/infocus-news-talk.52/)' started by Kaustubh Katdare (http://www.crazyengineers.com/members/kaustubh-katdare.1/), Today at 5:39 PM (http://www.crazyengineers.com/threads/insat-3d-indias-exclusive-meteorological-satellite-will-launch-on-26-july.68503/).

by Kaustubh Katdare (http://www.crazyengineers.com/members/kaustubh-katdare.1/), Jun 13, 2013 at 5:39 PM
   
INSAT-3D, India's exclusive meteorological satellite configured with some advance meteorological payloads which includes a 6-channel imager, 19-channel sounder along with data relay transponder and satellite aided search & rescue will be launched on July 26, 2013 from Kourou in French Guiana. The satellite will be launched by European space consortium, Arianespace. An ISRO executive has informed PTI that the spacecraft platform is adopted from the standard I-2K bus with a power handling capability of around 1100 W with a lift off mass of 2090 kg.
 
 INSAT-3D has been developed for high resolution monitoring of temperature and to trace chemical species in the atmospheric regions between the troposphere and stratosphere. It's one of the 3 satellites developed by ISRO to focus on weather forecasting and tracking of cyclone and monsoons that originate from the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea. ISRO has collaborated with the University of Reading for the development of MWIR and SWIR narrow-bandpass filters defining the spectral band definition of the satellite. The overall lifetime of the payload is expected to be about 7 years from the day of launch.
      
 The mission of the INSAT-3D is "to provide an operational, environmental & storm warning system to protect life & property and also to monitor earth's surface and carryout oceanic observations and also provide data dissemination capabilities." Arianespace has also been contracted by India to launch the GSAT-7, a multi-band satellite carrying payloads in UHF, S-Band, C-Band and Ku-Band. The launch is scheduled in August this year.
 
 ISRO is also gearing up for the launch of GSLV-D5 (Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle—Development flight 5) in August. The launch is likely to take place from the spaceport of Sriharikota.
 
 We'll bring you the latest updates from the INSAT-3D launch. Stay tuned to CrazyEngineers for further updates.

ЦитироватьINSAT-3D is delivered to French Guiana for Arianespace's next Ariane 5 launch

 June 13, 2013 – Ariane Flight VA214
Payload preparations for Arianespace's third Ariane 5 mission in 2013 have commenced following this week's delivery of INSAT-3D, which is one of two spacecraft that will be lofted on a heavy-lift flight targeted for the second half of July.
INSAT-3D – built by India's space agency, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) – arrived in French Guiana aboard a chartered An-124 cargo jetliner, and was transported from Félix Eboué Airport near Cayenne to the Spaceport's payload preparation facilities.
The meteorological satellite will carry weather forecasting payloads, along with a search and rescue relay system. It is to have a mass at liftoff of approximately 2,100 kg. and offer 1,100 W of power.
INSAT-3D will be orbited along with its co-passenger, the Astrium-built Alphasat satellite, on another of Ariane 5's trademark dual-payload missions. Alphasat will be operated under an agreement between the European Space Agency (ESA) and European commercial satellite operator Inmarsat, and will provide additional L-band capacity for coverage of Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
 Designated Flight VA214 in Arianespace's numbering system, this upcoming mission represents the 214th launch of an Ariane family vehicle and will be the 70th flight of the heavy-lift Ariane 5.

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The two photos above show INSAT-3D being removed from its shipping container during activity conducted inside the S5C hall of the Spaceport's S5 facility.

ЦитироватьArianespace prepares for upcoming Soyuz and Ariane 5 missions at the Spaceport

June 19, 2013 – Flights VS05 and VA214
...
Separately, French Guiana yesterday welcomed the second satellite for Flight VA214 – an Ariane 5 mission planned in the second half of July. This is Europe's Alphasat, which is one of the world's most sophisticated communications satellites.  Built by Astrium as prime contractor, Alphasat carries a new-generation advanced mobile L-band communications payload, along with four technological demonstration payloads for the European Space Agency (ESA).
Alphasat will weigh more than six metric tons at launch and is to be operated under an agreement between the European Space Agency and European commercial satellite operator Inmarsat.
Alphasat will be orbited on Flight VA214 along with INSAT-3D, built by India's space agency – the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).

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Alphasat was delivered to French Guiana aboard a chartered Antonov An-124 jetliner. This view is from inside the aircraft as Alphasat is moved out for its transfer by road to the Spaceport.
 
Launch window for Soyuz Flight VS05
UTC 6:53:51 p.m. June 24, 2013

ЦитироватьThe launch rhythm continues: Arianespace takes delivery of its next Ariane 5 at the Spaceport

June 27, 2013 – Ariane Flight VA214

Arianespace is keeping up the mission pace at its French Guiana base of operations with the acceptance of another heavy-lift Ariane 5, which now is being readied for the integration of a dual-satellite payload to be orbited on July 25.

The vehicle for this next Spaceport liftoff was transferred yesterday fr om the Spaceport's Launcher Integration Building – wh ere it underwent the basic build-up – to the Final Assembly Building, formally transferring authority for the Ariane 5 to Arianespace from industrial prime contractor Astrium.

Designated Flight VA214 in Arianespace's launcher family numbering system (signifying the 214th liftoff of an Ariane-series vehicle), the mission will mark the 70th launch of the workhorse Ariane 5 and is to loft the INSAT-3D meteorological satellite along with the Alphasat communications relay platform.

INSAT-3D was developed by India's space agency, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), and carries weather forecasting payloads along with a search and rescue relay system.  Its liftoff mass will be approximately 2,100 kg.

As part of the pre-launch checkout process, INSAT-3D underwent a test deployment of its solar panels in the Spaceport's clean room facilities – which is a typical checkout step performed by ISRO with its satellites once they are in French Guiana.

Riding as co-passenger on the upcoming Ariane 5 flight is Europe's Alphasat, which is ranked as one of the world's most sophisticated communications satellites.  Alphasat carries a new-generation advanced mobile L-band communications payload along with four technological demonstration payloads for the European Space Agency.

Built by Astrium as prime contractor, Alphasat will have a mass of more than six metric tons at launch, and is to be operated under an agreement between the European Space Agency and European commercial satellite operator Inmarsat.

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Spaceport mission activity for Arianespace's Flight VA214 includes the transfer of Ariane 5 to its Final Assembly Building yesterday,

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along with on-going checkout of the INSAT-3D satellite

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and the Alphasat relay platform.

ЦитироватьI asked around about the launch time on Twitter. Here's the response:

ЦитироватьInmarsat Newsdesk ‏@InmarsatNews
@Cosmic_Penguin Alphasat launches on July 25 at 17:53 French Guiana time, subject to change.

= 20:53 UTC.

ЦитироватьINSAT-3D completes initial preparations for Arianespace's next Ariane 5 flight fr om the Spaceport

July 3, 2013 – Ariane Flight VA214

India's INSAT-3D weather satellite for Arianespace's next Ariane 5 mission has completed its initial pre-launch checkout at the Spaceport in French Guiana, and is now being readied for fueling.

To be orbited along with the European Alphasat telecommunications spacecraft on July 25, INSAT-3D will provide enhanced meteorological observation and the monitoring of land/ocean surfaces with its six-channel imager and 19-channel sounder.  Also installed on the Indian spacecraft is a data relay transponder, along with a payload to assist in satellite-aided search and rescue operations.

Developed by the country's space agency – the Indian Space Research Organisation, along with its Space Applications Centre – this satellite is adapted from India's I-2K spacecraft bus.  Once fueled, INSAT-3D will have an estimated liftoff mass of 2,090 kg.

Pre-launch activities with INSAT-3D in French Guiana have included a solar array test deployment, along with a fit-check on the adapter that will serve as the interface with Ariane 5.   This week, the satellite was transferred within the Spaceport's S5 payload preparation center – moving from its previous location in the S5C large processing hall to the S5B hall, wh ere the fueling will be carried out.

Arianespace's upcoming mission with INSAT-3D and Alphasat will be its third Ariane 5 liftoff at the Spaceport in 2013, and is designated VA214 to signify the 214th launch of an Ariane-series vehicle.

Other Arianespace flights performed so far this year from French Guiana with the company's three-member launcher family were one mission each of medium-lift Soyuz and lightweight Vega vehicles.  Completing the activity was a Soyuz flight from Kazakhstan's Baikonur Cosmodrome, performed by the Starsem affiliate of Arianespace.

(http://www.arianespace.com/images/missionup-dates/2013/1063-1.jpg)
INSAT-3D undergoes its fit-check with the cone-shaped device that will serve the satellite's interface with Ariane 5.  

(http://www.arianespace.com/images/missionup-dates/2013/1063-2.jpg)
This activity occurred in the Spaceport S5 payload preparation center's S5C processing hall, and was followed by INSAT-3D's internal transfer to the S5B zone for fueling.

ЦитироватьAlphasat and INSAT-3D are fueled for Arianespace's heavy-lift Ariane 5 flight from French Guiana on July 25

July 9, 2013 – Ariane Flight VA214

The two satellite passengers for Arianespace's next Ariane 5 mission are being fueled at the Spaceport, preparing them for a July 25 liftoff on the company's fifth flight in 2013 from French Guiana with its launcher family.

Utilizing the capacity and flexibility of the Spaceport's large S5 payload preparation facility, the Indian INSAT-3D meteorological platform is receiving its fuel load in the S5B hall, while Europe's Alphasat telecommunications spacecraft is undergoing a "top-off" in the separate S5A hall.

Alphasat is the largest European telecommunications satellite ever built, with a mass exceeding 6.6 metric tons when fueled.  It also is the first to use the Alphabus spacecraft bus – the result of a coordinated European response to the increased market demand for larger telecommunication payloads.

Once in orbit, Alphasat will expand the U.K.-based Inmarsat operator's global mobile telecommunication network – delivering new capabilities in terms of performance and resource availability, providing 50 percent more accessible spectrum with double spectral efficiency and nearly 20 percent more channels.  The satellite was built by Astrium, and its solar array will span nearly 40 meters once deployed in orbit, generating more than 12 kW of power.

The Alphasat mission was developed in the largest public–private partnership biggest of its kind, involving Inmarsat and the European Space Agency.  This will provide the capacity to handle more than 750 channels in L-band, with improved quality – particularly for satellite phone users.  When in service, Alphasat will augment Inmarsat's Broadband Global Area Network (BGAN) service, enabling communications across Europe, Asia, Africa and the Middle East with increased capacity.

Alphasat will ride in Ariane 5's upper payload position, while the INSAT-3D co-passenger is to be accommodated in the lower portion of the payload "stack."  Developed by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) – the country's space agency, along with its Space Applications Centre – INSAT-3D is to provide enhanced meteorological observation and the monitoring of land/ocean surfaces with a six-channel imager and 19-channel sounder.

Also integrated on the Indian spacecraft is a data relay transponder, along with a payload to assist in satellite-aided search and rescue operations.  INSAT-3D will have a mass at liftoff of approximately 2,100 kg.

Arianespace's July 25 mission is designated Flight VA214 to signify the 214th launch of an Ariane-series vehicle from French Guiana.  It follows the company's launcher family missions already performed at the Spaceport in 2013 by two other heavy-lift Ariane 5s, along with one mission each of medium-lift Soyuz and lightweight Vega vehicles.  Complementing the activity during the first half of 2013 was a Soyuz flight from Kazakhstan's Baikonur Cosmodrome, performed by the Starsem affiliate of Arianespace.

(http://www.arianespace.com/images/missionup-dates/2013/1064_inside-lg-1.jpg)
Alphasat is fueled in the S5A hall of the Spaceport's S5 payload preparation facility,

(http://www.arianespace.com/images/missionup-dates/2013/1064_inside-lg-2.jpg)
while INSAT-3D receives its fuel load in the S5B hall.

ЦитироватьSalo пишет:
Всё-таки 25 июля. Окно 23:53-01:11 ЛМВ.

ЦитироватьAlphasat_stacks_up

(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/87490.jpg)
Alphasat lifted onto launch adaptor
 
 12 July 2013 On Wednesday, Alphasat was mated with its launcher adaptor in preparation for installation on the Ariane 5 rocket.
 Several weeks ago, Ariane was checked for compatibility with an Arianespace adaptor in a dry run for this week's mating. The adaptor was developed by RUAG Aerospace Sweden with a mixed carbon fibre and aluminium structure and equipped with a low-shock clampband separation system.
 
(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/87491.jpg)
Alphasat stack moved to pallet
 
 Adaptors securely attach a satellite to its launcher, and this one was especially designed and qualified for Alphabus, the high-power platform developed by Astrium and Thales Alenia Space.
 The clampband is a ring on top that keeps the satellite in place until the separation system releases the band and frees its payload.
 Alphasat was lifted onto the adaptor and the clampband tension adjusted. The adaptors' umbilical lines were then connected to the satellite, completing the procedure.
 After mating, the stack was bolted to a platform on air bearings and ins erted in to the large air-conditioned container that will be used to reach the Batiment d'assemblage final. There, it will be placed on top of Ariane's Sylda dual launch pod, which is used to support the upper payload during a double launch. The lower payload is India's Insat-3D co-passenger.
 Following addition of the fairing, the entire 'upper composite' will be installed on top of the waiting Ariane 5, where Insat-3D will have already been placed.

ЦитироватьAlphasat_carries_new_space_compass

(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/87492.jpg) (http://www.esa.int/ESA_Multimedia/Images/2013/07/Development_of_Astro_APS_star_tracker)
Development of Astro APS star tracker
 
 15 July 2013 Getting into orbit is a massive undertaking. Launches are complicated and delicate affairs, but by no means the end of the story. Once a satellite arrives in space, it faces a whole new set of challenges.
 For a telecommunications satellite to do its job, it needs to know where it is pointing. Startrackers use the visible stars in much the same way as ships have for centuries.
 Alphasat, Europe's largest telecom satellite, is carrying four Technology Demonstration Payloads (TDPs). One of these is Astro APS, a new-generation startracker built by Jena-Optronik, a German company with 40 years of experience in attitude, optical and orbit control sensors.
 
 Astro APS – standing for Active Pixel Sensor – is a cut above the rest because of its toughness. Radiation is one of the many challenges that high orbits present for intricate technology, and a major requirement for a device is the ability to cope with it.
 Radiation-resiliency is such an important stipulation that another of Alphasat's TDPs, the Environmental Monitor, has the sole task of measuring it so that we can learn more about how to protect equipment in orbit.
 One of the main benefits of Astro APS' increased durability is a prolonged lifetime. TDP 6, as the startracker is also known, has a life expectancy of 18 years.
 Most technology destined for space must be built to contend with extreme temperatures, as this is one of the many factors that make space such a hostile environment. The advanced startracker is fortified to remain operational under temperatures as low as –30ºC and as high as +60ºC.
 With a titanium body, its endurance means it can keep running for longer than previous products, while also being lighter and smaller. Hosted payloads must provide as little interference with the satellite's main purpose as possible, and at less than 2 kilos, TDP 6 comes in well under the required maximum weight.

 (https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/87493.jpg) (http://www.esa.int/ESA_Multimedia/Images/2013/05/Alphasat_TDP6)
Paving the way for a new generation
 
 The fact that Alphasat's TDP features all of these assets is not a coincidence – Jena-Optronik and the DLR German Aerospace Center are using the opportunity provided by Inmarsat's satellite to secure flight experience for a new generation of startrackers.
 Startrackers are known for being difficult to experiment with on Earth, as even the most sophisticated imitation of space conditions cannot provide us with completely accurate and representative results. In the absence of a flight opportunity, they are tested via electronic images and the night sky but both methods come with their own limitations.
 Assessment in orbit is the only reliable way of evaluating new features.
 In light of these constraints on terrestrial startracker experiments, ESA's Advanced Research in Telecommunications Systems (ARTES) programme encouraged the development of technology that is both more efficient and cheaper to produce, and could capitalise on the opportunity provided by Alphasat –  which is how it now carries an instrument that weighs less than 2 kg, but can nevertheless help steer a satellite that tips the scales at almost 7 tonnes.
 
 In addition to being lighter, more resilient and less expensive, Astro APS is also smarter than its Jena-Optronik predecessors. It contains a catalogue of more than 3000 stars, specially optimised for the Alphasat mission.
 If needed, it can determine the satellite's attitude within 10 seconds without its full range of vision ora prioriinformation – colloquially known as the "lost in space" scenario – by using just the remaining visible stars.
 It is capable of autonomous attitude acquisition, which means that it can switch itself on and track the direction the satellite is pointing in automatically, while retaining the option for manual telecommands at any time.
 Previously, a challenge for previous startrackers was false stars on the detector – 'white spot noise'. This new and improved instrument can separate these distractions from the real thing.
 Apart from verifying the new-generation technology, TDP 6 also aids the experiments of TDP 1, the Laser Communication Terminal. By providing the terminal with attitude data, it improves the lasers' ability to connect with low-orbit satellites – supporting a whole new area of space technology.
 
 TDP 6: Startracker
 Access the video (http://www.esa.int/ESA_Multimedia/Videos/2013/05/TDP_6_Startracker)

ЦитироватьEurope's Alphasat satellite takes its place in the payload "stack" for Arianespace's next Ariane 5 mission

July 15, 2013 – Ariane Flight VA214

Construction of the payload "stack" for Arianespace's upcoming Ariane 5 flight is now underway at the Spaceport in French Guiana, with the Alphasat satellite readied for its positioning as the mission's upper passenger.

During activity in the launch site's Final Assembly Building for Ariane 5, Alphasat was installed atop the SYLDA dispenser system, which allows two spacecraft to be deployed on the same mission.

Developed by Astrium, Alphasat is one of the most sophisticated commercial communications satellites ever built. It will have a launch mass of 6,650 kg., and is the result of a large-scale public-private partnership involving Inmarsat and the European Space Agency (ESA).

The satellite carries an advanced, new generation L-band geo-mobile communications relay system that will augment Inmarsat's Broadband Global Area Network (BGAN) service, enabling increased-capacity communications across Europe, Asia, Africa and the Middle East. This spacecraft features eight new-generation digital signal processors and an 11-meter antenna reflector. It also is configured with four technology demonstration payloads for ESA.

Alphasat is the first flight model of Europe's new Alphabus high capacity satellite platform, developed jointly by Astrium and Thales Alenia Space with the support of ESA and the French CNES national space agency. The goal is to address the communications satellite market's upper range – as the Alphabus platform is capable of satellite launch masses up to 8,800 kg. and power ratings as high as 22 kW.

For Arianespace's upcoming Ariane 5 launch – set for July 25 – Alphasat will be orbited along with India's INSAT-3D satellite, which has a mass at liftoff of approximately 2,100 kg. Built by the country's Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) space agency, along with its ISRO Space Applications Centre – INSAT-3D is designed to provide enhanced meteorological observation and the monitoring of land/ocean surfaces. Also carried is a data relay transponder, along with a system to assist in satellite-aided search and rescue operations.

INSAT-3D will be riding as the Ariane 5 mission's lower payload, located under Alphasat inside the SYLDA dispenser system.

The July 25 mission is designated Flight VA124 in Arianespace's launcher family numbering system, signifying the 214th launch of an Ariane-series vehicle.

(http://www.arianespace.com/images/missionup-dates/2013/1066_panoramic-1.jpg)
This series of images highlights processing activity with Alphasat at the Spaceport.  Alphasat is transferred fr om the S5 payload processing building – where it was fueled – into the large CCU3 spacecraft transportation container.

(http://www.arianespace.com/images/missionup-dates/2013/1066_panoramic-2.jpg)
The CCU3 container is shown during its move to the Ariane 5 Final Assembly Building,

(http://www.arianespace.com/images/missionup-dates/2013/1066_panoramic-3.jpg)
wh ere Alphasat is lowered into position atop the SYLDA disperser system.

ЦитироватьSalo пишет:
Astro APS – standing for Active Pixel Sensor – is a cut above the rest because
of its toughness.

ЦитироватьAlphasat is encapsulated as the upper passenger on Arianespace's upcoming dual-payload Ariane 5 mission

July 16, 2013 – Ariane Flight VA214

The upper portion of Ariane 5's dual-passenger "stack" has been completed, with the Alphasat satellite and SYLDA dispenser system now encapsulated inside the launcher's payload fairing in preparation for a July 25 liftoff fr om French Guiana.

This encapsulation occurred in the Spaceport's Final Assembly Building for Ariane 5, adjacent to wh ere the launcher is waiting to receive Alphasat and the mission's co-passenger, INSAT-3D.

The integration process' next step will occur when INSAT-3D is positioned on the launcher's core section as the lower payload, allowing the stack to be completed with installation of the Alphasat/SYLDA/fairing combination atop it.

During the flight sequence, the payload fairing will be jettisoned first at approximately 3 minutes into the mission, followed by deployment of Alphasat at just under 28 minutes into the flight. The SYLDA dispenser is then to be released, allowing the subsequent separation of INSAT-3D to complete the Arianespace mission 32 minutes after liftoff.

Arianespace's upcoming Ariane 5 mission, designated VA214 in the company's launcher family numbering system, is scheduled on July 25 during a launch window that opens at 4:53 p.m. and continues through 6:11 p.m., local time in French Guiana.

The Alphasat passenger for this flight will have a launch mass of 6,650 kg., and it is one of the most sophisticated commercial communications satellites ever built. Developed by Astrium, Alphasat is configured with an advanced, new generation L-band geo-mobile communications relay system that will augment Inmarsat's Broadband Global Area Network (BGAN) service – enabling increased-capacity communications across Europe, Asia, Africa and the Middle East.

Development of Alphasat results from a large-scale public-private partnership involving Inmarsat with the European Space Agency (ESA), and is the first flight model of Europe's new Alphabus high capacity satellite platform.

Ariane 5's Indian INSAT-3D co-passenger on the VA214 mission will provide enhanced meteorological observation and the monitoring of land/ocean surfaces. It was developed by the country's Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) space agency along with its ISRO Space Applications Centre, and has a liftoff mass of approximately 2,100 kg.

(http://www.arianespace.com/images/missionup-dates/2013/1067_pan-lg1.jpg)
The encapsulation of Alphasat is detailed in this photo sequence, taken inside the Ariane 5's launcher Final Assembly Building. The payload fairing is positioned for lowering over the satellite – which previously was mounted on the SYLDA dispenser.

(http://www.arianespace.com/images/missionup-dates/2013/1067_pan-lg2.jpg)
The fairing begins its descent,

(http://www.arianespace.com/images/missionup-dates/2013/1067_pan-lg3.jpg)
and nearly covers the 6,650 kg. spacecraft.

ЦитироватьINSAT-3D is installed on Ariane 5 for Arianespace's July 25 heavy-lift mission

July 17, 2013 – Ariane Flight VA214

Final payload integration is underway for Arianespace's next heavy-lift flight, with the INSAT-3D weather satellite now integrated atop its Ariane 5 launcher at the Spaceport in French Guiana.

This Indian spacecraft is installed in the lower payload position for Ariane 5's dual-passenger mission, which is set for liftoff on July 25 along with Europe's Alphasat telecommunications relay platform.

INSAT-3D's mating occurred in the upper levels of the Spaceport's Final Assembly Building for Ariane 5.  The satellite is adapted from India's I-2K spacecraft bus and has a liftoff mass of approximately 2,100 kg. It was developed by the country's Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) space agency with its ISRO Space Applications Centre.

Carrying a six-channel imager and 19-channel sounder, INSAT-3D will provide enhanced meteorological observation and the monitoring of land/ocean surfaces.  The satellite also carries a data relay transponder, as well as a system to assist in satellite-aided search and rescue operations.

INSAT-3D's co-passenger for the upcoming Ariane 5 flight is the 6,650-kg. Alphasat satellite, which is one of the most sophisticated commercial communications spacecraft ever built.  Developed by Astrium, it is configured with an advanced, new-generation L-band geo-mobile communications relay system to augment Broadband Global Area Network (BGAN) service provided by the U.K.-based telecommunications operator Inmarsat – enabling increased-capacity communications across Europe, Asia, Africa and the Middle East.

Alphasat is the result of a large-scale public-private partnership involving Inmarsat and the European Space Agency (ESA), and represents the first flight model of Europe's new Alphabus high capacity satellite platform.  It will ride in the upper position of Ariane 5's payload "stack."

The July 25 mission with Ariane 5 – designated Flight VA214 in its launcher family numbering system – will be Arianespace's third heavy-lift launch in 2013 from the Spaceport.  In addition, Arianespace has conducted one mission each at French Guiana of the medium-lift Soyuz and lightweight Vega members of its launcher family.  Complementing the activity in the first half of 2013 was a Soyuz flight from Kazakhstan's Baikonur Cosmodrome, performed by the Starsem affiliate of Arianespace.

(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/67295.jpg)
This photo, taken in the upper levels of the Spaceport's Ariane 5 Final Assembly Building, shows INSAT-3D as it is installed atop the heavy-lift vehicle's core stage section.

Launch window for Ariane VA214
UTC Between 7:53 p.m. and 9:11 p.m. on July 25, 2013

ЦитироватьBoth payloads for Arianespace's next Ariane 5 flight are now mated to the launcher

July 18, 2013 – Ariane Flight VA214

The heavy-lift Ariane 5 for Arianespace's July 25 mission from French Guiana is now complete following integration of its full payload "stack," consisting of the Alphasat and INSAT-3D spacecraft.

Encapsulated in its ogive-shaped protective fairing, Alphasat was lowered into place yesterday over INSAT-3D – which was installed atop Ariane 5's cryogenic core stage during activity earlier in the week.

These integration steps were performed inside the Spaceport's Final Assembly Building for Ariane 5, enabling a new series of preparation milestones to begin. They include the launch readiness review on July 23, followed by Ariane 5's rollout to the ELA-3 launch zone the next day, and subsequent countdown to the July 25 liftoff during a 1-hour, 18-minute launch window that opens at 4:53 p.m. local time in French Guiana.

Ariane 5 is to deliver a payload lift performance of more than 9,750 kg. for the upcoming mission, which includes a combined total of some 8,770 kg. for Alphasat and INSAT-3D, plus the launcher's SYLDA dual-passenger dispenser system and satellite integration hardware.

Riding as the upper payload in Ariane 5's stack is Europe's Alphasat telecommunications spacecraft, which will be released at approximately 27 minutes after liftoff. Developed by Astrium, it is the result of a large-scale public-private partnership involving Inmarsat and the European Space Agency (ESA), and represents the first flight model of Europe's new Alphabus high capacity satellite platform.

INSAT-3D – which is adapted from India's I-2K spacecraft bus – will be deployed from Ariane 5's lower passenger position at approximately 32 minutes into the flight. This Indian meteorological satellite was developed by the country's Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) space agency with its ISRO Space Applications Centre.

(http://www.arianespace.com/images/missionup-dates/2013/1069-inside-lg.jpg)
During integration activity inside the Spaceport's Final Assembly Building for Ariane 5, the payload fairing containing Alphasat is lowered over INSAT-3D to create the launcher's dual-payload "stack."

ЦитироватьSalo пишет:
 Both payloads for Arianespace's next Ariane 5 flight are now mated to the launcher

ЦитироватьG.K. пишет:
Пара вопросов к этой новости:
1. Чёрная проставка- это и есть тот объект, который отделяется при пуске Ариан-5? (силда)
2. Что за белая "прокладка" между ГО и проставкой?

ЦитироватьAriane 5 is in the launch zone for Arianespace's heavy-lift mission with Alphasat and INSAT-3D
 
July 24, 2013 – Ariane Flight VA214

Arianespace's Ariane 5 mission with the Alphasat and INSAT-3D satellites is on track for liftoff tomorrow following the workhorse heavy-lift vehicle's rollout to the Spaceport's ELA-3 launch complex in French Guiana.
 Mounted on the first of two large mobile launch tables in service for Ariane 5, the vehicle emerged from its Final Assembly Building this morning at 11:10 a.m. local time and arrived on the pad 40 minutes later – covering the distance at a speed of approximately 3 km./hr.
The launcher has India's INSAT-3D satellite installed in the lower position of its payload "stack," with Europe's Alphasat as the upper passenger.
The launch window opens at 4:53 p.m. and continues until 6:11 p.m. After liftoff, the flight sequence will last nearly 33 minutes, with Alphasat deployed at just under 28 minutes after launch, followed by the separation of INSAT-3D five minutes later.
Alphasat is Europe's largest telecommunications satellite ever manufactured and results from a large-scale public-private partnership between the European Space Agency (ESA) and Inmarsat. Built by prime contractor Astrium, it is the first flight model of Europe's Alphabus high-capacity satellite platform, configured with a new-generation L-band geo-mobile mobile communication relay system and four technology demonstration payloads for ESA.
INSAT-3D was developed by India's Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) space agency and its ISRO Space Applications Centre, designed to provide meteorological observation and monitoring of land/ocean surfaces. The satellite is equipped with a six-channel imager and 19-channel sounder, as well as a data relay transponder and a payload for satellite-aided search and rescue operations.
 Tomorrow' mission – designated Flight VA214 in Arianespace's launcher family numbering system – will be the 214th launch since operations began with the Ariane series of vehicles in 1979, as well as the 70th flight for the heavy-lift Ariane 5 version.

(http://www.arianespace.com/images/missionup-dates/2013/1072_inside-lg.jpg)
The Ariane 5 with Alphasat and INSAT-3D nears its final location on the launch pad to complete this morning's rollout at the Spaceport.

ЦитироватьG.K. пишет:
Такой вопрос к сообществу: оба спутника этого пуска привезли в контейнере горизонтально. Тогда начиная с какого момента спутники начинают "бояться" вертикализации?

ЦитироватьG.K. пишет:
Тогда начиная с какого момента спутники начинают "бояться" вертикализации?

ЦитироватьArianespace's heavy-lift Ariane 5 mission orbits key payloads for Europe and India

July 25, 2013 – Ariane Flight VA214

Today's 70th launch of Arianespace's heavy-lift launcher orbited Europe's largest ever telecommunications satellite, Alphasat, and India's latest meteorological spacecraft, INSAT-3D, on the third Ariane 5 mission of 2013.

The workhorse vehicle lifted off exactly on schedule at 4:54 p.m. local time from the Spaceport's ELA-3 launch zone in French Guiana for a nearly 33-minute flight, which marked the launcher's 56th consecutive successful mission.

This daylight launch provided an excellent view of the flight's initial trajectory, as the Ariane 5 began its vertical ascent, then rotated East – arching over the Spaceport's main base area as it progressed downrange.  The flight path was visible between a scattered cloud layers, and the clear meteorological conditions enabled an excellent view of the launch's first phase – including separation of the two solid propellant boosters at an altitude of 67 km.

Ariane 5 delivered a total lift performance of 9,760 kg., which included a combined total of some 8,770 kg. for the mission's two passengers, in addition to the SYLDA dispenser system and hardware in Arianespace's dual-payload "stack."

Deployed first in the flight sequence nearly 28 minutes after liftoff, Alphasat is configured with a new-generation L-band geo-mobile communications relay system that will provide voice and data transmission services across Europe, Africa and the Middle East.

Alphasat results from a public-private partnership between the European Space Agency (ESA) and operator Inmarsat, and was evolved from ESA's Advanced Research in Telecommunications Systems (ARTES) program. This spacecraft is the first for Europe's new Alphabus platform, jointly developed by Astrium and Thales Alenia Space.

With a liftoff mass of 6,650 kg., Alphasat was one of the heaviest passengers carried in the upper position of Ariane 5's payload "stack."

Some five minutes after Alphasat's deployment, Ariane 5 completed its mission with the successful separation of INSAT-3D, which will provide enhanced meteorological observation and monitoring of land/ocean surfaces. The satellite carries a six-channel imager and 19-channel sounder, as well as a data relay transponder for satellite-aided search and rescue operations.

INSAT-3D is adapted from India's I-2K spacecraft bus and was developed by the nation's Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) space agency with its ISRO Space Applications Centre.

Alphasat is the eighth payload launched by Arianespace for Inmarsat, while INSAT-3D is the 16th ISRO spacecraft the company has orbited – a partnership that dates back to the third Ariane 1 flight in 1981.

Designated Ariane Flight VA214 in the company's numbering system – this mission represented the 214th launch since operations began with the Ariane series of vehicles at the near-equatorial French Guiana launch site in 1979.

To date, Arianespace has lofted 18 payloads in 2013 on six missions across its entire launcher family: the heavy-lift Ariane 5, medium-lift Soyuz and lightweight Vega. This is composed of three Ariane 5 launches, and one mission each of Soyuz and Vega from the Spaceport. In addition, Arianespace's Starsem affiliate conducted a Soyuz flight from Baikonur Cosmodrome.

Arianespace's next launch is scheduled for August 29, using an Ariane 5 to orbit the Eutelsat 25B/Es'hail-1 for Es'hailSat and Eutelsat, along with GSAT-7 for the Indian Space Research Organisation.

(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/67307.jpg)
Ariane 5 is shown in the ELA-3 launch zone prior to its liftoff on a successful flight that orbited Alphasat and INSAT-3D.

ЦитироватьArianespace launch VA214: Mission accomplished! Ariane 5 ECA orbits Alphasat and INSAT-3D

Kourou, July 25, 2013

On Thursday, July 25, Arianespace carried out the 56th successful Ariane 5 launch in a row, orbiting two satellites: the Alphasat mobile telecommunications satellite for the operator Inmarsat, and the INSAT-3D meteorological satellite for ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation).

Third Ariane 5 launch in 2013, 56th success in a row

Today's successful mission, the 56th in a row for the European launcher, once again proves the reliability and availability of the Ariane 5 launch system. It also confirms that Arianespace continues to set the standard for guaranteed access to space for all operators, including national and international space agencies, private industry and governments.

Following the announcement of the orbital injection of the Alphasat and INSAT-3D satellites, Arianespace Chairman and CEO Stéphane Israël said: "The 70th launch of Ariane 5 confirms the unequaled reliability of our launcher, which clearly sets Arianespace apart. Ariane 5 launcher has just orbited the largest telecommunications satellite ever built in Europe for our customer Inmarsat, and I would like to thank them for their ongoing trust. This technological success is the result of an exemplary partnership between European industry, ESA and CNES. We also orbited a meteorology satellite for the Indian Space Research Organization, ISRO. I would like to express my thanks to ISRO for placing their trust in us for more than 30 years. Each of these satellites will drive progress in the management of crises and emergency situations, reflecting how systems up in space benefit citizens down on Earth. And this is all made possible by the reliability and availability of the launch solutions that Arianespace provides to all of our customers."

A launch for two long-standing customers, Inmarsat and ISRO

Arianespace provides the launch services that best match the requirements of all operators.

The long-standing relationship of mutual trust between Arianespace and Inmarsat reaches back to the launch of the first Inmarsat satellites. The British company has chosen Arianespace to launch eight of its satellites to date.

INSAT-3D is the 16th ISRO satellite launched by Ariane since the experimental satellite Apple, launched on Flight L03 in 1981.

Arianespace has also launched two other Indian-designed satellites, for the operators Eutelsat and Avanti Communications. ISRO's 17th satellite, the GSAT-7 telecommunications satellite, will be launched on Ariane 5's next mission, VA215, scheduled for August 29.

The collaboration between ISRO and Arianespace has been extended to include technological development aid for launcher operation.

Alphasat/INSAT-3D mission at a glance

The mission was carried out by an Ariane 5 ECA launcher from Europe's Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana. Liftoff was on Thursday, July 25, 2013 at 4:54 pm local time in Kourou (3:54 pm in Washington, D.C., 19:54 UT, 9:54 pm in Paris, and on Friday, July 26 at 1:24 am in Bangalore).

Alphasat was designed and built by Astrium and weighed 6,650 kg at liftoff. The Alphasat satellite is the result of a public-private partnership agreement between Inmarsat, the world's leading provider of mobile satellite services, and the European Space Agency (ESA), with support from French space agency CNES, to produce and launch the first satellite based on the new European platform, Alphabus, developed by Astrium and Thales Alenia Space. The platform is being used on this mission to deliver commercial services and provide in-orbit validation of the most advanced space communications technologies developed in Europe. Alphasat will deliver advanced voice and data transmission services across Europe, Africa and the Middle East, for both commercial and government customers.

INSAT-3D: designed, developed and integrated by ISRO in Bangalore, southern India, the INSAT-3D meteorological satellite weighed 2,200 kg at launch, and offers a design life exceeding seven years. INSAT-3D features a 6-channel imager, data relay transponders (DRT), sounder and a weather warning payload with a cyclone warning dissemination system (CWDS), activated during cyclone season, and a satellite-aided search and rescue (Sasar) system, which relays emergency messages to local terminals. Positioned at 82 degrees East, its coverage zone encompasses the entire Indian subcontinent.

ЦитироватьПАРИЖ, 26 июл — РИА Новости. Ракета-носитель Ariane-5, которая выведет на геостационарную орбиту крупнейший европейский телекоммуникационный спутник Alphasat и индийский метеоспутник INSAT-3D, запущена в четверг с экваториального космодрома Куру в французской Гвиане.

Ракета стартовала в 16.54 часов по местному времени (23.54 мск). Запуск транслируется на интернет-сайте европейского аэрокосмического концерна Arianespace.

Полет продлится 33 минуты. Через 28 минут после старта произойдет отстыковка Alphasat, спустя пять минут — INSAT-3D.

Запуск Alphasat позволит международной телекоммуникационной компании Inmarsat расширить свои сети в Европе, Азии, Африке и на Ближнем Востоке. Спутник, срок службы которого рассчитан на 15 лет, будет расположен над территорией Конго на высоте 36 тысяч километров.

В свою очередь с помощью INSAT-3D будет осуществляться мониторинг метеорологической обстановки, в частности с целью предупреждения ураганов и других природных катастроф. Спутник будет находиться над южной частью территории Шри-Ланки на высоте 36 тысяч метров, его предполагаемый срок службы — 7 лет.

ЦитироватьSalo пишет:

ЦитироватьG.K. пишет:
Тогда начиная с какого момента спутники начинают "бояться" вертикализации?

После заправки вестимо.

ЦитироватьDed пишет:
На Байконуре их привозят на стыковку с РН

Цитироватьfagot пишет:
однотипные спутники

ЦитироватьIndia's weather satellite INSAT-3D functioning normally
 Saturday, Jul 27, 2013, 11:19 IST | Agency: ANI
 
     The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on Saturday said that the country's all weather satellite INSAT-3D, which was launched on Friday morning, is functioning normally.
    ISRO's Director (Publicity) Karnik said that the master control facility at Hassan in Karnataka is tracking the satellite and orbit raising manoeuvre is under progress.
    He said the satellite is being moved from geo synchronous transfer orbit to geo stationary orbit at 36000 kms.
    The meteorological payloads in the satellite will be turned on in the second week of next month.

ЦитироватьG.K. пишет:

ЦитироватьDed пишет:
На Байконуре их привозят на стыковку с РН

Это не те спутники. Те, что на Протоне вертикализации не боятся. А вот те, что на Ариане- как бы боятся. А уж те, что на Союзе-СТ...

ЦитироватьG.K. пишет:

Цитироватьfagot пишет:
однотипные спутники

Вон, по версии Железняка там адаптеры слабые. Может у нас крепче? А вообще, надо спросить SOE.

ЦитироватьDed пишет:
Подозреваю, что сам "Ариан" не любит вертикализации (ТТУ "заправлены", однако).

ЦитироватьDed пишет:
Вертикальная или горизонтальная сборка - это и техника и привычка... Но это другой вопрос.

ЦитироватьG.K. пишет:

ЦитироватьDed пишет:
Вертикальная или горизонтальная сборка - это и техника и привычка... Но это другой вопрос.

Посмею заметить, что нет. Союз СТ пункт нашего с вами противоречия. В России его аналог ( 2.1Б) вывозят целиком. Значит проблема именно в спутнике?

ЦитироватьDed пишет:
Срабатывает мой второй вариант - привычка.

ЦитироватьDed пишет:
Самое для меня странное - это то, что Вы прибегаете к методам троллинга и демагогии.

ЦитироватьG.K. пишет:

ЦитироватьDed пишет:
Срабатывает мой второй вариант - привычка.

Возможно.

ЦитироватьDed пишет:
Самое для меня странное - это то, что Вы прибегаете к методам троллинга и демагогии.

Ладно, так как я не ставил задачу вас троллить, то вопрос закрывается. Хотя я и не понял, в чёт троллинг.

ЦитироватьDed пишет:
Просто Вы отвечаете не на сообщение, а на произвольно выбранный Вами фрагмент оного.

ЦитироватьDed пишет:
Если честно, то вопрос "вертикально/горизонтально" для меня тоже интересен.
Например; "Сатурн-5" и Н-1...

ЦитироватьG.K. пишет:

ЦитироватьDed пишет:
Просто Вы отвечаете не на сообщение, а на произвольно выбранный Вами фрагмент оного.

А. вот в чём дело, простите. Уже привычка отвечать на конкретные места чужого текста. Нет, цели вас троллить не было.

ЦитироватьDed пишет:
Если честно, то вопрос "вертикально/горизонтально" для меня тоже интересен.
Например; "Сатурн-5" и Н-1...

Тут нужен Старый. Или Хлынин. Я так глубоко историю не знаю.

Цитироватьche wi пишет:
Так понимаю, что Alphasat I-XL (Inmarsat XL) сейчас официально называется Alphasat I-4A F4 (Inmarsat 4A F4)?

 http://www.inmarsat.com/corporate/our-satellites/our-spacecraft-fleet/alphasat/index.htm

ЦитироватьIndia's advanced weather satellite INSAT-3D, launched in the early hours of July 26, 2013 from Kourou, French Guyana, has successfully been placed in Geosynchronous orbit after three orbit raising manoeuvres commanded from ISRO`s Master Control Facility at Hassan.

The Orbital parameters of INSAT-3D are: 
• Apogee (farthest point to Earth) – 35,799 km 
• Perigee (nearest point to Earth) – 35,469 km 
• Inclination (of the orbit with respect to the equator)- 0.23 deg 
• Orbital period – 23 hr 48 min

Though there was an anomalous behaviour of the satellite after the deployment of its solar panel, the Mission Operations Team of ISRO could immediately bring the Satellite into normalcy using the prescribed contingency procedures and then resume the orbit-raising operations. 

INSAT-3D is now moving towards its final geostationary orbital location of 82 degree East longitude and on August 6, 2013 it will reach this destination. Subsequently, the two meteorological payloads (Imaging System, Atmospheric Sounder), as well as the two Transponders (designed for the Meteorological Data Relay and Satellite-aided Search and Rescue system) will be activated by August 8, 2013.

India Education bureau, New Delhi
August 01, 2013

ЦитироватьSAFRAN : Four Snecma plasma thrusters now in operation on Alphasat satellite
08/12/2013 | 09:52am US/Eastern

12.08.2013
Four Snecma plasma thrusters now in operation on Alphasat satellite

PRESS RELEASE

Courcouronnes, France - August 12th, 2013. Snecma (Safran) announced today that its four PPS®1350-G plasma thrusters on the Alphasat satellite, launched on July 25 by an Ariane 5 rocket for Inmarsat, were commissioned. The commissioning took place in successive stages, from August 9th to August 10th, as planned.

Alphasat is the first satellite built by Astrium using the new Alphabus platform developed jointly by Astrium and Thales Alenia Space with the support of the European Space Agency (ESA) and the French space agency CNES (Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales). The satellite's four PPS®1350-G plasma thrusters, each rated at 1.5kW and developing 9 grams of thrust, will be used for North-South Station Keeping in the satellite's geostationary orbit, throughout its design life of 15 years.

"The successful commissioning of this system and our considerable in-orbit experience with other plasma thrusters provided by Snecma clearly validated our strategy in this sector," said David Quancard, head of Snecma's Space Engines division. "Using this technology instead of conventional chemical propulsion saves weight, extends satellite life and offers more operational flexibility. There is now huge demand from satellite prime contractors for plasma propulsion systems."

Snecma has developed electric thrusters for satellites for more than 30 years. Since 1991, the company has focused on the development of plasma propulsion systems. The first PPS®1350 thruster propelled ESA's Smart-1 lunar probe from Earth orbit to Moon orbit in a successful mission lasting from 2003 to 2006, logging some 5,000 hours of operation. Snecma has already delivered Thruster Module Assemblies (TMA) for seven Astrium satellites using the Eurostar 3000 platform, and in 2012 it delivered the Electric Propulsion Thruster Assembly (EPTA) for the first Small Geo platform, intended for the Hispasat AG1 satellite.

Snecma is now developing a family of thrusters and propulsion systems offering 3 to 100 grams of thrust to meet evolving market requirements. Demonstration tests since 2006 have generated conclusive results, enabling Snecma to offer electric propulsion solutions for satellite orbit transfer. ESA and CNES have already chosen four PPS®1350-E (2.5kW) and four PPS®1350-S (1.5kW) thrusters for the new Alphabus Improvement platform, to be used, respectively, for orbit transfer and Station Keeping.