Astra 3B,COMSATBw 2-Ariane 5ECA- 22.05.10 02:01 ЛМВ -Kourou

[Salo]

http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=6114.285

27 January - Astra 3B / COMSATBw-2 - Ariane 5 ECA (V194)

[Salo]

http://space.skyrocket.de/index_frame.htm?http://www.skyrocket.de/space/doc_sdat/astra-3b.htm

Astra 3B
 


Astra 3B [EADS AStrium]

SES Astra, an SES Global company, has announced in November 2006 that it has awarded the contract for the construction of its new satellite, Astra 3B, to the European satellite manufacturer Astrium. As prime contractor for Astra 3B, ASTRIUM will design and build the satellite.

Astra 3B will be a state-of-the-art Ku and Ka-band spacecraft designed for the distribution of both direct-to-home (DTH) broadcast services and two-way broadband services across Europe. After Astra 2B and Astra 1M, Astra 3B is the third Astra satellite to be built by ASTRIUM. The satellite will have 52 Ku-band transponders of which 20 transponders are to replace existing in-orbit capacity and 32 transponders which will create new capacity, thereby strenghtening 23.5E as the third orbital hotspot for European DTH services. Additionally there will be and 4 Ka-band transponders. Astra 3B is expected to be launched end of 2009.

Astra 3B will be built on a Eurostar-3000 platform, the latest version of the highly successful Eurostar series.

Nation:   Luxembourg
Type / Application:   Communication (Direct Broadcasting)
Operator:   SES-Astra
Contractors:   EADS Astrium
Equipment:   52 transponders Ku-Band and 4 Ka-Band transponders
Configuration:   Eurostar-3000
Propulsion:   
Lifetime:   15 years
Mass:   5400 kg
Orbit:   GEO

[Salo]

http://space.skyrocket.de/index_frame.htm?http://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/comsatbw-1.htm

COMSATBw 1, 2
 


COMSATBw 1 and 2 [Astrium]

MilSat Services GmbH, a company set up by EADS SPACE Services and ND SatCom, will provide the German Bundeswehr's satellite communications system SatcomBW Step 2. The Federal Office for Information Management and Information Technology of the Bundeswehr (IT-AmtBw) and MilSat Services signed a contract in Koblenz, Germany on Wednesday. The contract became valid after the German budget 2006 has been enacted. The satellites in the SatcomBw-2 system are called COMSATBw 1 and 2

With the SATCOMBw programme, the German Armed Forces will have a secure information network for use by units on deployed missions. This will allow voice and fax as well as advanced data, video and multimedia applications. For the first time the Bundeswehr will have a secure communications system with dedicated military communications satellites. The entire system is due to start regular operation in the year 2009 and will constitute an important step in the implementation of the Bundeswehr concept for network-centric operations.

Along with the in-orbit delivery of two communications satellites for operations in military frequencies (SHF/UHF), the SatcomBw Stage 2 contract includes their operation, the delivery of a comprehensive ground user terminal segment and upgrading the network management centre already installed with the Bundeswehr. MilSat Services GmbH will also provide the Bundeswehr with commercial transmission capacities using Intelsat satellites and anchoring services thanks to new large ground stations.

Nation:   Germany
Type / Application:   Military communication
Operator:   MilSat Services GmbH for Bundeswehr
Contractors:   EADS Astrium (prime), Alcatel Alenia (bus)
Equipment:   4 SHF and 5 UHF transponders
Configuration:   Spacebus-3000B2
Propulsion:   
Lifetime:   15 years
Mass:   2440 kg (#1)
Orbit:   GEO

[Salo]

http://www.spaceflightnow.com/tracking/index.html

Mid-March    Ariane 5  •  Astra 3B & COMSATBw 2
Launch window: TBD
Launch site: ELA-3, Kourou, French Guiana

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

[anik]

На форуме NASASpaceFlight говорят, что COMSATBw 2 полетит 24 марта с Arabsat 5A, а Astra 3B будет запущена 22 апреля с COMS 1.

[Salo]

http://space.skyrocket.de/index_frame.htm

Arabsat-5A, a Eurostar-3000 model, will have a launch mass of 4,800kg and a spacecraft power of 11kW at the end of its 15-year service lifetime. Equipped with a payload featuring 16 active transponders in C-band and 24 in Ku-band, the multi-mission Arabsat-5A satellite will take over from Arabsat-2B and provide additional capacity at 30.5

[anik]

На форуме NASASpaceFlight говорят, что COMSATBw 2 полетит 24 марта с Arabsat 5A, а Astra 3B будет запущена 22 апреля с COMS 1

Мда... И все-таки 24 марта летят Astra 3B и COMSATBw 2. На этот раз источник официальнее некуда: http://www.arianespace.com/news/mission-status.asp

[Salo]

http://www.arianespace.com/news-mission-update/2010/667.asp

http://www.arianespace.com/images/missionup-dates/2010/667-1-lg.jpg
http://www.arianespace.com/images/missionup-dates/2010/667-2-lg.jpg
The Ariane 5 core cryogenic stage for Arianespace's second mission of 2010 is delivered to French Guiana after its trans-Atlantic voyage aboard the MN Toucan transport ship (photo at left), while the launcher for this year's inaugural flight has moved from the Spaceport's integration building to the final assembly facility (photo at right).

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

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

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

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

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

[Pol]

Thales Shipped the 2nd ComSatBw Satellite to Kourou

(Cannes, February 18, 2010) -- Thales Alenia Space announced today that it has shipped to the Kourou spaceport the second ComSatBw satellite, which will be launched on March 24 by an Ariane 5 ECA. As satellite prime contractor, Thales Alenia Space designed, built, integrated, tested and delivered both ComSatBw satellites on behalf of EADS Astrium, the space segment prime contractor.

ComSatBw military communications satellites deliver key services for the German armed forces. They provide a secure broadband network guaranteeing uninterrupted communications between the government, military authorities and armed forces deployed anywhere in the world.

ComSatBw multimission geostationary satellites are based on the Thales Alenia Space Spacebus 3000B2 platform, and carry payloads comprising SHF (Super-High-Frequency), and UHF transponders (Ultra-High-Frequency), mainly provided by EADS Astrium. Weighing about 2,500 kg at launch, ComSatBw satellites offer 3.5 kW of power and has a design life estimated at 15 years.

http://www.asdnews.com/news/26203/Thales_Shipped_the_2nd_ComSatBw_Satellite_to_Kourou.htm

[Pol]

French Guiana Welcomes The Second Passenger For Ariane 5's Upcoming Mission by Staff Writers
Kourou, French Guianad (SPX) Feb 25, 2010

Both payloads for Arianespace's initial Ariane 5 flight of 2010 are now in French Guiana, following last week's arrival of COMSATBw-2 at Rochambeau International Airport near the capital city of Cayenne.
COMSATBw-2 is a secure relay platform that will deliver key services for the German Bundeswehr (German armed forces), and is a follow-on spacecraft to COMSATBw-1 - which was orbited by Ariane 5 in October 2009.

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

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

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

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

[Salo]

http://www.arianespace.com/news-mission-update/2010/671.asp

ASTRA 3B is "topped off" for Arianespace's year-opening flight

March 3, 2010


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

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

Propellant loading of ASTRA 3B was performed in the Spaceport's S5 satellite preparation facility, readying this EADS Astrium-built spacecraft for integration with its Ariane 5 ECA launcher.

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

Based on the Eurostar E3000 satellite bus, ASTRA 3B will have a liftoff mass of 5,470 kg. and is equipped with six mission antennas – four of which are side-mounted, to be deployed in orbit. The spacecraft has been designed for a nominal lifetime of 15 years.

ASTRA 3B will be joined on the upcoming mission by COMSATBw-2, a secure relay platform that will deliver key services for the German Bundeswehr (German armed forces).

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

This upcoming mission from Europe's Spaceport is the first of seven scheduled for Ariane 5 in 2010 as Arianespace maintains the heavy-lift vehicle's flight pace.

[Salo]

http://www.arianespace.com/news-mission-update/2010/673.asp

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

March 9, 2010

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

During activity inside the Spaceport's S5 payload integration building, ASTRA 3B was installed atop a two-piece adapter unit that will serve as the satellite's interface with Ariane 5.

This clears the satellite for integration in Ariane 5's payload "stack," which will be completed inside the Spaceport's Final Assembly Building with its companion spacecraft – COMSATBw-2.

The Ariane 5 ECA heavy-lift vehicle with ASTRA 3B and COMSATBw-2 is scheduled for launch on March 24, opening another busy year for Arianespace's workhorse vehicle.  A total of seven Ariane 5 flights are planned during 2010, maintaining the mission pace in response to the company's growing international order book.

Produced by EADS Astrium, ASTRA 3B is a state-of-the-art Ku- and Ka-band spacecraft designed for direct-to-home broadcast services and two-way broadband relay across Europe and the Middle East.  After its deployment by Ariane 5, it will be positioned at SES ASTRA's important 23.5 deg. East orbital position.

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

[Salo]

http://www.arianespace.com/news-mission-update/2010/676.asp

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


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

March 12, 2010 – Ariane Flight V194

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


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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[Salo]

http://www.arianespace.com/news-mission-update/2010/677.asp

COMSATBw-2 is readied for integration on its Ariane 5 launcher

March 15, 2010 – Ariane Flight V194


COMSATBw-2 undergoes its fit-check inside the Spaceport's S5A hall – one of three primary clean room zones within the massive S5 facility.

The payload processing for Arianespace's year-opening Ariane 5 flight is continuing apace as the mission's two passengers are prepared for their March 24 liftoff.

During the activity, Germany's COMSATBw-2 made its initial contact with Ariane 5 launcher hardware inside the Spaceport's state-of-the-art S5 facility, where the spacecraft is undergoing the checkout and fueling process.  This step involved COMSATBw-2's fit-check with its cone-shaped payload adapter – which serves as the satellite's interface with Ariane 5.  

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

Together with COMSATBw-1 – which was orbited by Ariane 5 last year – the spacecraft will provide a secure broadband network that guarantees uninterrupted communications between the government, military authorities and armed forces deployed around the world.

COMSATBw-2 will ride as the lower passenger during Arianespace's upcoming mission, to be deployed after its companion payload – ASTRA 3B, which has been installed atop the Ariane 5 SYLDA dual-payload dispenser system inside the Spaceport's launch vehicle Final Assembly Building.

ASTRA 3B was built by Astrium for commercial telecommunications operator SES ASTRA, and will provide direct-to-home broadcast services and two-way broadband relay across Europe and the Middle East.

Liftoff of the dual-payload Ariane 5 mission with ASTRA 3B and COMSATBw-2 will initiate Arianespace's busy launch schedule in 2010, which includes a total of seven flights for its heavy-lift workhorse.

[Salo]

http://www.arianespace.com/news-mission-update/2010/679.asp

Launch delay for Arianespace's Ariane 5 mission with the ASTRA 3B and COMSATBw-2 satellite payloads

March 18, 2010 – Ariane Flight V194

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

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

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

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

[Salo]

http://www.arianespace.com/images/launch-kits/launch-kit-pdf-eng/2010_ASTRA-3B_COMSATBw-2_EN.pdf

[Salo]

http://www.forum-conquete-spatiale.fr/europe-f10/ariane-5-eca-v194-astra-3b-comsatbw-2-26-03-2010-t9674-45.htm#183969

Sujet: Re: Ariane 5 ECA V194 / Astra-3B & ComsatBW-2 (26/03/2010)   Aujourd'hui

[Pol]

http://www.astrium.eads.net/en/news/50th-ariane-5-ready-to-launch-astra-3b-and-comsatbw-2.html

50th Ariane 5 ready to launch Astra 3B and COMSATBw-2
Today
Ariane 5, Communications & Military Communication
Ariane 5 Flight 194 – ready to launch Astra 3B and COMSATBw-2 on 26 March
The first Ariane 5 mission of 2010, due for lift-off from the European Spaceport at Kourou, French Guiana on 26 March, will orbit two communications satellites developed by Astrium: Astra 3B for European operator SES ASTRA and COMSATBw-2 the German Armed Forces.

The 49-minute launch window opens at 22.03 UT (19.03 local time in Kourou, 23.03 in continental Western Europe).

Astrium is single prime contractor for the Ariane 5 system, responsible for delivery to Arianespace of a fully integrated and tested launch vehicle. The first launch of 2010 is also the 50th for Ariane 5.[/img]

[Salo]

http://www.arianespace.com/news-mission-update/2010/680.asp

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

March 23, 2010 – Ariane Flight V194


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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[Salo]

http://www.arianespace.com/news-mission-update/2010/681.asp

Ariane 5's initial heavy-lift mission of 2010 is cleared for its March 26 liftoff

March 24, 2010 – Ariane Flight V194


A special logo for the 50th Ariane 5 is placed on this heavy-lift launch vehicle's payload fairing.

Arianespace is ready for the start of a record operational year with the go-ahead for Friday's heavy-lift Ariane 5 launch, which will orbit SES ASTRA's ASTRA 3B commercial telecommunications satellite and Germany's COMSATBw-2 secure military relay platform.

Authorization for the March 26 flight was given following today's launch readiness review, which is held before each Arianespace mission.  It validated the "go" status for Ariane 5, along with its two spacecraft passengers, the launch infrastructure at the Spaceport in French Guiana, and the network of downrange tracking stations.

This approval clears Ariane 5 for its transfer tomorrow from the Final Assembly Building to the ELA-3 launch complex.  The final countdown will then begin, leading to the liftoff during a launch window on Friday that opens at 7:03 p.m. local time, and continues to 7:52 p.m. (22h03-22h52 UTC).

The flight is Arianespace's first in a busy year that is scheduled to include seven missions with Ariane 5, which will be joined in 2010 by the medium-lift Soyuz.  Preparations also are moving ahead for the lightweight Vega's upcoming introduction – which will provide Arianespace with a complete launcher family that operates side-by-side at the Spaceport.

For this Friday's launch, Ariane 5 will have a total lift performance of approximately 9,115 kg., which includes 7,970 kg. for the ASTRA 3B and COMSATBw-2 satellites, plus associated launcher integration hardware and the SYLDA dual-payload dispenser system.

From liftoff to the deployment of Ariane 5's two passengers, the flight is to have a duration of just over 33 minutes.  It will be the 194th mission of an Ariane family vehicle, and the 50th for Ariane 5.