Форум Новости Космонавтики

ЦитироватьAs Arianespace continued building toward the company's record total of 12 missions in 2014, launcher elements for the initial Ariane 5 flight of 2015 were delivered this week to French Guiana aboard the MN Toucan – one of two sea-going vessels performing transportation rotations between Europe and South America. It marked an initial step for this mission, Flight VA222, to launch two spacecraft: Telenor Satellite Broadcasting's THOR 7 and SICRAL 2, which will be orbited in the framework of a turnkey contract that the Italian Defense Ministry and the French DGA armament agency (Direction Générale de l'Armement) have with Thales Alenia Space Italy.  
 
(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/222741.jpg)  
(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/222742.jpg)
(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/222743.jpg)  
In this photo series, Ariane 5 launcher elements to be used for Arianespace Flight VA222 are being unloaded from the MN Toucan sea-going vessel – which transported these components from their European production sites to French Guiana.

ЦитироватьThe first Ariane 5 to be launched in 2015 begins its Spaceport build-up

 November 21, 2014 – Ariane Flight VA222
As Arianespace prepares to close out a busy year of mission activity, the initial Ariane 5 for launch in 2015 already is beginning to take shape at the Spaceport.
 This vehicle started its build-up in the dedicated Launcher Integration Building, where the cryogenic core stage was raised into place over one of two mobile launch tables available for the heavy-lift Arianespace workhorse.
To accompany the assembly process, Ariane 5's two solid propellant boosters were rolled out for their mating with the core stage – clearing the way for continued integration.
 The activity is being performed by prime contractor Airbus Defence and Space, which will deliver the Ariane 5 to Arianespace for payload integration, final checkout and launch.
 Arianespace is targeting a liftoff next March for the launcher, which is to carry Telenor Satellite Broadcasting's THOR 7 commercial relay satellite and the Sicral 2 telecommunications platform for Telespazio, on behalf of the French and Italian military forces.
 For the mission, THOR 7 is to ride in Ariane 5's upper passenger position, with Sicral 2 located below it in the SYLDA dispenser system.  Designated Flight VA222, this launch will be the 222nd liftoff of an Ariane family vehicle from the Spaceport.
 
(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/222773.jpg)    
(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/222774.jpg)  
Spaceport assembly activity of the Ariane 5 for Flight VA222 begins with erection of its cryogenic core stage over the mobile launch table,

(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/222775.jpg)
followed by the solid boosters' rollout to the Launcher Integration Building.

ЦитироватьSalo пишет:
Пуск ожидается в марте.

ЦитироватьПрол пишет:
Как-то рано они начали сборку РН...

ЦитироватьThor 7 arrives in Guiana
February 23, 2015 09.36 Europe/London By Julian Clover (http://www.broadbandtvnews.com/author/julian-clover/)

Final preparations are now underway for the launch, slated for mid-April 2015.
Thor 7 is Telenor's first growth satellite, providing expansion and restoration capacity for the distribution of broadcast and data-communication services throughout Europe. The spacecraft is to be launched from the Guiana Spaceport on board an Ariane 5 ECA launcher.
"With the launch of THOR 7, Telenor looks forward to further extending our position in the market and expanding our regional coverage," said Morten Tengs, CEO, Telenor Satellite Broadcasting. "The HTS Ka-band payload on Thor 7, designed specifically for the mobility VSAT market, is a first for Telenor and will allow us to further increase our market share in the maritime and offshore sector, delivering cost-effective solutions and high-powered coverage over the North Sea, the Norwegian Sea, the Red Sea, the Baltic Sea and the Mediterranean.
Telenor's mission team will now be stationed at Kourou during the campaign period to supervise final preparations before the launch.

ЦитироватьFrench Guiana welcomes the THOR 7 spacecraft for launch by Ariane 5
(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/222792.jpg)
Protected inside its shipping container, THOR 7 is unloaded from the cargo jetliner after arriving at Félix Eboué Airport near French Guiana's capital city of Cayenne.
 
  February 23, 2015 – Ariane Flight VA222
The THOR 7 satellite for Arianespace's first Ariane 5 mission in 2015 has arrived in French Guiana, marking the start of payload preparations for this dual-passenger flight from the Spaceport – which is scheduled for an April liftoff.
THOR 7 – produced by SSL (Space Systems/Loral) for Telenor Satellite Broadcasting (TSBc) – was delivered this month by a cargo jetliner, which landed at Félix Eboué International Airport near the capital city of Cayenne. Following unloading, the spacecraft was transferred by road for initial processing, including a "fit-check" validation with the adapter that will serve as its interface with Ariane 5, inside the Spaceport's S5C clean room facility.
Based on the SSL 1300 platform, THOR 7 is equipped with 11 Ku-band transponders in order to provide dedicated capacity for broadcast services in Central and Eastern Europe. It also includes a Ka-band payload, which will be used to meet the growing demand for broadband communications within the offshore sector – offering coverage over the North Sea, the Norwegian Sea, the Red Sea, the Baltic Sea, the Persian Gulf and the Mediterranean.
THOR 7 will be the second satellite launched for Telenor Satellite Broadcasting by Arianespace, following the October 2009 orbiting of THOR 6 – which also utilized a heavy-lift Ariane 5.
 Joining THOR 7 on Arianespace's April mission is the Sicral 2 military telecommunications satellite, to be launched in the framework of a turnkey contract that the Italian Defense Ministry and the French DGA armament agency (Direction Générale de l'Armement) have with Thales Alenia Space Italy. It will provide strategic and tactical telecommunications links for the French and Italian military forces, as well as reserve telecommunications capacity for other NATO nations. Telespazio, among other things, is responsible for the launch service.

(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/222791.jpg)
In preparation activity for Arianespace's mission, THOR 7 is lowered for its fit-check process inside the Spaceport's S5C clean room facility.

ЦитироватьBoth payloads for Arianespace's first heavy-lift Ariane 5 mission of 2015 are now in French Guiana, with arrival of the Sicral 2 satellite this week.

Delivered aboard a cargo jetliner, Sicral 2 landed at Félix Eboué International Airport near French Guiana's capital city of Cayenne and was transferred by road to the Spaceport, where it is scheduled for an April liftoff on a dual-passenger mission.

Sicral-2 is a military telecommunications satellite that will provide strategic and tactical telecommunications links for French and Italian military forces, as well as reserve telecommunications capacity for other NATO nations. The spacecraft will be launched in the framework of a turnkey contract that the Italian Defense Ministry and the French DGA armament agency (Direction Générale de l'Armement) have with Thales Alenia Space Italy. Telespazio, among other things, is responsible for the launch service.

On Ariane 5 Flight VA222, Sicral 2 is to be joined by THOR 7 – a communications satellite for Telenor Satellite Broadcasting (TSBc). Produced by SSL (Space Systems/Loral), THOR 7 is equipped with 11 Ku-band transponders for broadcast services in Central and Eastern Europe, and a Ka-band payload to meet the growing demand for broadband communications within the offshore sector.

ЦитироватьTHOR 7 is undergoing fueling for Arianespace's dual-payload Ariane 5 mission in April
 
March 9, 2015 – Ariane Flight VA222
Activities for Arianespace's Ariane 5 launch next month have moved into a new phase as the first of this heavy-lift mission's two payloads is fueled in French Guiana.
The THOR 7 satellite was topped off in the Spaceport's S5 payload preparation facility, readying this multi-mission telecommunications platform for its subsequent integration as the flight's upper passenger.
Built by SSL (Space Systems/Loral), THOR 7 will be operated by Telenor Satellite Broadcasting – a major European satellite provider of broadcast and data communication services for customers in the broadcast, maritime, and oil and gas markets.
THOR 7 is equipped with Telenor's first high-performance Ka-band payload, designed to serve the maritime sector – offering cost-effective solutions and high-powered coverage over the North Sea, the Norwegian Sea, the Red Sea, the Baltic Sea and the Mediterranean.  This relay platform also has a Ku-band payload for broadcast and television services in Central and Eastern Europe.
Once positioned in the geostationary orbital slot at 1 deg. West longitude after its deployment by Ariane 5, THOR 7 is to operate for 15 years or more.
Joining THOR 7 on Arianespace's Ariane 5 mission in April is the Sicral 2 military telecommunications satellite that will provide strategic and tactical links for French and Italian military forces, as well as reserve telecommunications capacity for other NATO nations. 
Sicral 2 arrived in French Guiana last week and is now undergoing its preparations at the Spaceport. It will ride in the lower passenger position of Ariane 5's dual payload arrangement.
 The mission with THOR 7 and Sicral 2 is designated Flight VA222 in the numbering system for Arianespace's launcher family, which also includes the medium-lift Soyuz and lightweight Vega.

(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/222795.jpg)
THOR 7 is prepared for fueling in the Spaceport's S5 payload preparation facility.

Цитировать (https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/185391.png)  Arianespace  @Arianespace    (https://twitter.com/Arianespace)  ·    15 ч. 15 часов назад  (https://twitter.com/Arianespace/status/574999433936551937)  
 
Mighty: @Arianespace (https://twitter.com/Arianespace)'s latest ad focuses on THOR 7's preparations for the next #Ariane5 (https://twitter.com/hashtag/Ariane5?src=hash) flight http://bit.ly/1sqDIJ9  (http://t.co/jAYVgYwldp)  
 
  (https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/156315.jpg)  (https://twitter.com/Arianespace/status/574999433936551937/photo/1)

ЦитироватьTHOR 7's encapsulation begins the payload build-up for Arianespace's next Ariane 5 mission

  April 3, 2015 – Ariane Flight VA222
The build-up of Ariane 5's dual-passenger configuration is underway at French Guiana, where this mission's upper satellite is now encapsulated in the launcher's payload fairing.
During activity in the Spaceport's Final Assembly Building for Ariane 5, the ogive-shaped fairing was lowered in place over THOR 7 – with the satellite previously having been installed on a dispenser system called SYLDA.
With this step now accomplished, the completed unit is ready to be positioned atop the mission's other payload – Sicral 2 – following the lower passenger's installation on Ariane 5's central core.
These payload integration activities will complete the launcher build-up for Arianespace's scheduled April 15 liftoff.
Designated Flight VA222, the heavy-lift mission's deployment sequence will begin with Ariane 5's payload fairing jettison, occurring after the launcher climbs through the Earth atmosphere's dense layers. Upon reaching the altitude for geostationary transfer orbit injection, THOR 7 will be deployed first, followed by the SYLDA dispenser's separation, and then Sicral 2's release to complete the mission.
THOR 7 was built by SSL (Space Systems/Loral) for operation by Telenor Satellite Broadcasting – a major European satellite provider of broadcast and data communication services for customers in the broadcast, maritime, and oil and gas markets. After reaching its orbital slot at 1 deg. West longitude, this spacecraft will serve the maritime sector – offering high-powered coverage over the North Sea, the Norwegian Sea, the Red Sea, the Baltic Sea and the Mediterranean. A Ku-band payload for broadcast and television services in Central and Eastern Europe also is incorporated in the relay platform.
The Sicral 2 co-passenger on Arianespace's Fight VA222 is a military telecommunications satellite designed to provide strategic and tactical telecommunications links for French and Italian military forces, as well as reserve capacity for other NATO nations. Sicral 2 was developed in the framework of a turnkey contract that the Italian Defense Ministry and the French DGA armament agency (Direction Générale de l'Armement) have with Thales Alenia Space Italy. Telespazio is responsible for the launch service.
 Flight VA222 will be the third flight for Arianespace's launcher family in 2015. It follows a medium-lift Soyuz launch on March 27 that orbited two European Galileo FOC (Full Operational Capability) navigation satellites, and February 11's lightweight Vega suborbital mission with Europe's Intermediate eXperimental Vehicle (IXV) spaceplane.

(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/222813.jpg)
Ariane 5's payload fairing is lowered over THOR 7 in these two images.

(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/222814.jpg)
The details this satellite's installation atop the SYLDA dispenser system.

ЦитироватьBoth payloads for Arianespace's next Ariane 5 flight are mated to the launch vehicle
 
 April 8, 2015 – Ariane Flight VA222
The heavy-lift Ariane 5 for Arianespace's April 15 mission is now complete following integration of its dual-satellite payload – consisting of THOR 7 and Sicral 2 – at the Spaceport in French Guiana.
Encapsulated in an ogive-shaped protective payload fairing, THOR 7 was lowered into place yesterday over its Sicral 2 co-passenger – which had been installed atop Ariane 5's core section during preceding activity.
This integration milestone – achieved at the Spaceport's Final Assembly Building for Ariane 5 – clears the way for a new phase that includes the launch readiness review on April 13, which is to be followed by Ariane 5's rollout to the ELA-3 launch zone the next day.
Designated Flight VA222, liftoff is scheduled during a 1-hr., 54-min. launch window opening on April 15 at 4:43 p.m. local time in French Guiana, with the two spacecraft to be deployed on a mission lasting approximately 34 minutes.
As the upper payload in Ariane 5's arrangement, THOR 7 – which was built by SSL (Space Systems/Loral) for operation by Telenor Satellite Broadcasting – will be released first in the flight sequence.
This relay platform is equipped with Telenor's initial high-performance Ka-band payload, designed to serve the maritime sector – offering cost-effective solutions and high-powered coverage over the North Sea, the Norwegian Sea, the Red Sea, the Baltic Sea and the Mediterranean. THOR 7 also has a Ku-band payload for broadcast and television services in Central and Eastern Europe.
Sicral 2 – a military telecommunications satellite designed to provide strategic and tactical telecommunications links for French and Italian military forces, as well as reserve capacity for other NATO nations – is to be deployed from the launcher's lower passenger position, with its separation to follow that of THOR 7.
The spacecraft will be lofted in the framework of a turnkey contract that the Italian Defense Ministry and the French DGA armament agency (Direction Générale de l'Armement) have with Thales Alenia Space Italy. Telespazio, among other things, is responsible for the launch service.

(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/222815.jpg)
Ariane 5's upper payload section – composed of THOR 7 and its payload fairing – is raised inside the Spaceport's Final Assembly Building for installation atop the launcher.

ЦитироватьLaunch window for Ariane 5 Flight VA222:

UT/GMT: Between 07:43 p.m. and 09:37 p.m. on April 15, 2015

ЦитироватьDuring the preparations for the roll-out of the launcher for flight VA222, an anomaly occurred on a fluid connector between the cryogenic upper stage and the launch table.

As a result, Arianespace has decided to postpone the launch initially scheduled for April 15, 2015, in order to replace this part and perform the subsequent verifications.

The launch vehicle and its THOR 7 and SICRAL 2 satellite payloads are maintained in fully safe conditions and in stand-by mode.

The new launch date targeted will be announced very soon.

ЦитироватьArianespace has established the new targeted launch date for Flight VA222, using an Ariane 5 ECA to orbit the THOR 7 and SICRAL 2 satellites.

Liftoff of the Ariane 5 launcher is now slated for Friday, April 24 at 4:38 p.m. local time in Kourou, French Guiana (3:38 p.m. in Washington D.C., 19:38 UTC and 9:38 p.m. in Paris).

ЦитироватьThe Ariane 5 launch with THOR 7 and SICRAL 2 is set for April 24
 
 April 16, 2015 – Ariane Flight VA222
Arianespace's next Ariane 5 flight from the Spaceport is now scheduled for April 24. Under the new planning, liftoff will occur at 4:38 p.m. local time in French Guiana – initiating this dual-passenger mission that is to orbit a pair of telecommunications satellites: THOR 7 and SICRAL 2.
The payload lift performance for this first Ariane 5 mission of 2015 – which is designated VA222 in Arianespace's numbering system – is approximately 9,850 kg.
THOR 7 was built by SSL (Space Systems/Loral) for operation by Telenor Satellite Broadcasting, and it will serve the maritime sector – offering high-powered coverage over the North Sea, the Norwegian Sea, the Red Sea, the Baltic Sea and the Mediterranean. Also incorporated in this relay platform is a Ku-band payload for broadcast and television services in Central and Eastern Europe.
SICRAL 2 is a military telecommunications satellite developed in the framework of a turnkey contract that the Italian Defense Ministry and the French DGA armament agency (Direction Générale de l'Armement) have with Thales Alenia Space Italy, while Telespazio is responsible for the launch service. After its deployment by Ariane 5, SICRAL 2 will provide strategic and tactical telecommunications links for French and Italian military forces, as well as reserve capacity for other NATO nations.
 
For more information, see the VA222 launch kit (http://www.arianespace.com/images/launch-kits/launch-kit-pdf-eng/VA222-launchkit-EN.pdf).

ЦитироватьApril 22, 2015 – Ariane Flight VA222

Ariane 5 has been authorized for its April 24 liftoff from the Spaceport in French Guiana, with the go-ahead for this upcoming mission – which will orbit the THOR 7 and SICRAL 2 telecommunications satellites – given following today's launch readiness review.

This pre-launch step – performed prior to each Arianespace mission – checked the "go" status of the heavy-lift launcher, the flight's dual-passenger payload, the Spaceport's infrastructure and the network of tracking stations which will follow the flight.

With today's "green light," Ariane 5 is now cleared for its April 23 rollout from the Final Assembly Building to the ELA-3 launch zone, wh ere it will be prepared for liftoff on Friday during a launch window opening at 4:38 p.m. local time in French Guiana.

Спойлер

The payload lift performance for this first Ariane 5 mission of 2015, designated VA222 in Arianespace's numbering system, is estimated at 9,850 kg. It includes a combined total of some 9,000 kg. for THOR 7 and SICRAL 2, along with the launcher's SYLDA dual-passenger dispenser system and satellite integration hardware.

THOR 7 – which was built by SSL (Space Systems/Loral) for operation by Telenor Satellite Broadcasting – will ride in the upper position of Ariane 5's payload arrangement, to be deployed first during the 34-minute flight sequence.

To be released second as the mission's lower passenger, SICRAL 2 is a military telecommunications satellite developed in the framework of a turnkey contract that the Italian Defense Ministry and the French DGA armament agency (Direction Générale de l'Armement) have with Thales Alenia Space Italy. Telespazio, among other things, is responsible for the launch service.

[свернуть]

ЦитироватьAriane 5 reaches the ELA-3 launch zone for Arianespace's upcoming heavy-lift mission
 
(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/222818.jpg) The Ariane 5 nears completion of its transfer fr om the Spaceport's Final Assembly Building – where this heavy-lift vehicle received its THOR 7 and SICRAL 2 payloads – to the ELA-3 launch zone.
 
 April 23, 2015 – Ariane Flight VA222
Arianespace has delivered another Ariane 5 to the launch zone at Europe's Spaceport in French Guiana, positioning this workhorse heavy-lift vehicle for tomorrow's flight with a pair of telecommunications satellites: THOR 7 and SICRAL 2.
The Ariane 5 rolled out today from the Spaceport's Final Assembly Building to the ELA-3 launch zone, wh ere it is scheduled for liftoff during a launch window that opens on April 24 at 4:38 p.m. local time in French Guiana.
For this 78th overall flight of an Ariane 5, the payload lift performance is estimated at 9,850 kg. – which includes a combined total of some 9,000 kg. for the two satellites, plus the launcher's dual-passenger dispenser system and integration hardware.
Riding as the upper passenger in Ariane 5's payload arrangement is THOR 7, which will be released at approximately 28 minutes into the mission. The spacecraft was built by SSL (Space Systems/Loral) for Telenor Satellite Broadcasting, and will operate from an orbital position of .8 deg. West.
THOR 7 is to serve the maritime sector, delivering high-powered coverage over the North Sea, the Norwegian Sea, the Red Sea, the Baltic Sea and the Mediterranean. Also incorporated in this relay platform is a Ku-band payload for broadcast and television services in Central and Eastern Europe.
SICRAL 2 is a military telecommunications satellite developed in the framework of a turnkey contract that the Italian Defense Ministry and the French DGA armament agency (Direction Générale de l'Armement) have with Thales Alenia Space Italy; while Telespazio is responsible for the launch service. It will be deployed from Ariane 5's lower passenger position at approximately 34 minutes after liftoff – completing the mission.
After the deployment by Ariane 5, SICRAL 2 – offering a design life of 15 years – will provide strategic and tactical telecommunications links for French and Italian military forces, as well as reserve capacity for other NATO nations.
Tomorrow's Ariane 5 launch is designated VA222, signifying the 222nd liftoff of an Ariane-series vehicle since 1979. It also will mark Arianespace's third flight in 2015 with a launcher from its three-member family – following the medium-lift Soyuz mission on March 27 that orbited two European Galileo FOC (Full Operational Capability) navigation satellites, and February 11's lightweight Vega suborbital flight with Europe's Intermediate eXperimental Vehicle (IXV) spaceplane.  
 
 Launch window for Ariane 5 Flight VA222
UTC At 19:38 on April 24, 2015

ЦитироватьPeter B. de Selding ‏@pbdes  (https://twitter.com/pbdes) · 1m ago (https://twitter.com/pbdes/status/591525247653957633)

Arianespace scrubs tonight's Ariane 5 launch, new date TBD, following unclear launcher issue; rocket heading back to assembly hall.

ЦитироватьKourou, April 24, 2015

During the final count-down operations for flight VA222 slated for today, an anomaly occurred on a conditioning equipment of the launcher.

As a result, Arianespace has decided to bring back the launcher to the Final Assembly Building (BAF).

The launch vehicle and its THOR 7 and SICRAL 2 satellite payloads have been placed in stand-by mode and maintained in safe conditions.

The new launch date will be announced later today.

ЦитироватьKourou, April 24, 2015

The reconfiguration work and related checkout on the Ariane 5 ECA launcher are now complete.

The new targeted launch date for Flight VA222, to orbit the THOR 7 and SICRAL 2 satellites, is now slated for Sunday, April 26 at 4:37 p.m. local time in Kourou, French Guiana (3:37 p.m. in Washington D.C., 19:37 UTC and 9:37 p.m. in Paris).

ЦитироватьFinal countdown underway for Arianespace's Ariane 5 launch with THOR 7 and SICRAL 2
 
April 26, 2015 – Ariane Flight VA222
Arianespace has begun the final countdown for today's heavy-lift dual-payload flight from Europe's Spaceport in French Guiana, following the Ariane 5's return to its launch zone.
Liftoff is scheduled during a launch window that opens at 4:37 p.m. local time, with the THOR 7 satellite being released approximately 28 minutes into the flight, and the second passenger – SICRAL 2 – deployed some six minutes later.
THOR 7 was built by SSL (Space Systems/Loral) for operation by Telenor Satellite Broadcasting, and it will serve the maritime sector – offering high-powered coverage over the North Sea, the Norwegian Sea, the Red Sea, the Baltic Sea and the Mediterranean. Also incorporated in this relay platform is a Ku-band payload for broadcast and television services in Central and Eastern Europe.
SICRAL 2 is a military telecommunications satellite developed in the framework of a turnkey contract that the Italian Defense Ministry and the French DGA armament agency (Direction Générale de l'Armement) have with Thales Alenia Space Italy, while Telespazio is responsible for the launch service. After its deployment by Ariane 5, SICRAL 2 will provide strategic and tactical telecommunications links for French and Italian military forces, as well as reserve capacity for other NATO nations.
 Today's mission will be the 78th Ariane 5 launch overall, as well as the third flight of an Arianespace launcher family member in 2015.

ЦитироватьA dual-payload success for Europe: Arianespace's Ariane 5 gives a "lift" to the THOR 7 and SICRAL 2 satellites
 
 April 26, 2015 – Ariane Flight VA222
Arianespace extended Ariane 5's track record of success with another heavy-lift mission performed today from the Spaceport in French Guiana, which launched a mixed payload of commercial and military telecommunications satellites – THOR 7 and SICRAL 2 – for European operators.
Both spacecraft were deployed following their ascent from the Spaceport's ELA-3 launch zone, with THOR 7 released some 28 minutes after liftoff, and SICRAL 2 separating approximately six minutes later to complete the flight sequence.
Ariane 5 delivered an estimated total lift performance of 9,850 kg., including its two passengers and hardware for the launcher's dual-payload deployment system. This mission – designated VA222 in Arianespace's numbering system – was the 222nd launch of an Ariane-series vehicle since 1979, and the 64th consecutive success for Ariane 5, as well as its 78th flight overall.
THOR 7 was built by SSL (Space Systems/Loral) for operation by Telenor Satellite Broadcasting, a major European satellite provider of broadcast and data communication services for customers in the broadcast, maritime, and oil and gas markets.
To operate from an orbital slot at .8 deg. West longitude, this spacecraft will serve the maritime sector – offering high-powered coverage over the North Sea, the Norwegian Sea, the Red Sea, the Baltic Sea and the Mediterranean. A Ku-band payload for broadcast and television services in Central and Eastern Europe also is incorporated in the relay platform.
SICRAL 2, the second payload deployed by Ariane 5 on today's mission, is a military telecommunications satellite designed to provide strategic and tactical telecommunications links for French and Italian military forces, as well as reserve capacity for other NATO nations.
To be operated from an orbital position of 37 deg. East, SICRAL 2 was developed in the framework of a turnkey contract that the Italian Defense Ministry and the French DGA armament agency (Direction Générale de l'Armement) have with Thales Alenia Space Italy. Telespazio, among other things, was responsible for the launch service.
With today's success, Arianespace has conducted three launches from French Guiana so far in 2015 – each with a different member from the company's launcher family, in which Ariane 5 is joined by the medium-lift Soyuz and lightweight Vega. This pace keeps the company on track to meet its target of 11 missions during the year, based on the availability of payloads scheduled for these launches.
 The next Arianespace mission is planned for May, using another Ariane 5 to orbit the DIRECTV-15 and SKY MEXICO-1 satellites.

ЦитироватьMission accomplished! Arianespace launches Thor 7 and Sicral 2 satellites

Kourou, April 26, 2015

Ariane 5 orbits a civil and military satellite on its first launch of the year
Arianespace has successfully launched two telecommunications satellites: Thor 7 for the private Norwegian operator Telenor Satellite Broadcasting (TSBc), and Sicral 2 for the operator Telespazio, on behalf of the Italian Ministry of Defense and the French defense procurement agency DGA (Direction Générale de l'Armement, part of the Ministry of Defense).
Today's launch, the third of the year for Arianespace and the 64th successful launch in a row by Ariane 5, took place at 5:00 pm local time from the Guiana Space Center (CSG) in Kourou, French Guiana.
The first launch in 2015 of the Ariane 5 heavy launcher, this mission clearly illustrates Arianespace's dual objective: establish itself as the global leader in commercial launch services, while also guaranteeing reliable and independent access to space for European governments.

A dual mission: civil and military satellites
Thor-7 will provide TV broadcasting services for central and eastern Europe, along with broadband communications for the maritime industry, and spotbeams for the North Sea, Norwegian Sea, Red Sea, Baltic Sea, Persian Gulf and the Mediterranean.
Sicral 2 will provide strategic and tactical communications links for the French and Italian armed forces, as well as additional telecom capacity for NATO countries. That makes Sicral 2 a fundamental element in a common European security policy, which must count on a spaceborne component.

     Thor 7
 

[/li]
• 2nd satellite launched by Arianespace for TSBc
• 50th satellite built by Space Systems/Loral (or its predecessors) to be launched by Arianespace
  

     Sicral 2
 

[/li]
• 63rd military satellite launched by Arianespace (and the second in a joint Italian-French military program, after Athena Fidus, launched in February 2014)
• 141st satellite built by Thales Alenia Space (or its predecessors) to be launched by Arianespace
  

Arianespace, a complete family supporting all space applications
With this third successful launch since the beginning of the year, Arianespace is on schedule to equal its operational record set last year, of 11 launches from the Guiana Space Center. The complete family of launchers offered by Arianespace confirms its ability, unrivaled worldwide, to provide launch services for all space applications. For example, today's Ariane 5 launch of the Thor 7 and Sicral 2 civil and military telecom satellites, respectively, follows the launch by Vega on February 11 of the IXV atmospheric reentry demonstrator, and the launch by Soyuz on March 27 of Galileo navigation satellites.
 
 Shortly after the announcement that the satellites had been injected into orbit, Arianespace Chairman and CEO Stéphane Israël said: "Arianespace is very proud of having successfully carried out this dual mission today: launching the Thor 7 satellite for the private operator Telenor Satellite Broadcasting, to bolster its position in maritime and offshore communications, and also launching the Sicral 2 satellite for French and Italian armed forces, who will use it to increase their secure communications capacity with theaters of operation.
 "I would like to express my thanks to our customers Telenor and Telespazio, as well as the French and Italian defense ministries, for once again placing their trust in us. I would also like to thank all our partners in this third launch of the year: the European Space Agency, contract authority for the Ariane program; the joint venture Airbus Safran Launchers and the entire European launcher industry, for the exceptional reliability shown by Ariane 5 ECA, which recorded its 64th successful mission in a row today; CNES-CSG and the companies operating at the spaceport, who continue to work with us to ensure new success; and of course all Arianespace teams, for their engagement and their professionalism."

ЦитироватьArianespace has successfully launched two telecommunications satellites: Thor 7 for the private Norwegian operator Telenor Satellite Broadcasting (TSBc), and Sicral 2 for the operator Telespazio, on behalf of the Italian Ministry of Defense and the French defense procurement agency DGA (Direction Générale de l'Armement, part of the Ministry of Defense).