Arabsat 5C, SES 2=Ariane 5 ECA(VA204) - 21.09.11 21:38 UTC

[Salo]

http://www.ses.com/ses/siteSections/newsroom/Latest_News/index.php?pressRelease=/pressReleases/pressReleaseList/11-06-01/index.php

01.06.2011
SES-2 and Air Force Payload Complete Dynamics Test – on Track for August 2011 Launch[/size]

MCLEAN, VA - (June 1, 2011) - SES WORLD SKIES U.S. Government Solutions today announced that the Commercially Hosted Infrared Payload (CHIRP) and its host spacecraft, SES-2, has completed Dynamics Testing and is on schedule for launch in August of this year.

 The wide field-of-view sensor designed by Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) and the SES-2 satellite, built by Orbital Sciences Corporation, successfully completed the required acoustics and vibration testing.  These tests were conducted with the sensor fully integrated onto the spacecraft.  Several functional tests were performed following the dynamics testing, including actuation of various release mechanisms, electrical testing of the sensor, and a successful software code update that was executed from SAIC's Seal Beach, CA facility.

 The satellite and integrated government payload will complete a final environmental test in late June, and is on schedule for launch in August 2011.[/size]

[Salo]

http://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/ses-1.htm

SES 1, 2, 3
 

SES 2 (with CHIRP experiment) [OSC]

Orbital Sciences Corporation announced in May 2007 that it has received an order from SES AMERICOM for as many as five new satellites over a multi-year period. Orbital stated that SES AMERICOM has placed a firm order for two new satellites, the first designated as AMC-5R and the second a ground spare that will be launched to another orbital location as a future replacement satellite.

Deliveries of the first two satellites are scheduled for mid- and late-2009, respectively. In addition to the two satellites that Orbital will immediately begin constructing, the contract gives SES AMERICOM the option to order up to three more identical satellites over the next few years.

The AMC-5R and the identical ground spare spacecraft will be hybrid satellites, each carrying 24 active C-band and 24 Ku-band transponders of 36 MHz capacity each. Some of the channels in each band will also be cross-strapped, enabling new service capability. Each spacecraft will generate approximately five kilowatts of payload power and will have two deployable reflectors.

SES AMERICOM announced in April 2008 the order of a third spacecraft under the multi-satellite contract both companies announced in May 2007. Under this contract, the earlier ordered ground spare will now become AMC-4R (originally designated AMC-1R), and a new ground spare will be produced for a future use.

Planned for launch in the second half of 2009 on a Zenit-3SLB, AMC-1R will have a permanent home in geosynchronous Earth orbit at 103 degrees West longitude. AMERICOM Government Services (AGS) announced in June 2008 that it has been awarded a contract by the U.S. Air Force to host an experimental sensor on board of AMC 5R. The primary purpose of the CHIRP (Commercially Hosted Infrared Payload) experiment is to test a new type of infrared sensor from geo-synchronous altitude. The passive infrared sensor will be integrated onto the AMC 1R satellite so that it can be launched into orbit and the data can then be transmitted to the ground for analysis.

In early 2010, the satellites were renamed from AMC 4R, AMC 5R and AMC ground spare to SES 1, 2 and 3 respectively.

SES 1 was configured for direct GEO insertion by omitting the apogee engine and the oxidizer.
Nation:    USA
Type / Application:    Communication
Operator:    SES Americom

[Salo]

http://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/arabsat-5c.htm

Arabsat 5C[/size]
 

Arabsat 5C [Astrium]

ARABSAT has selected in January 2009 the consortium of Astrium and Thales Alenia Space to build and deliver in orbit the new satellite Arabsat 5C.

Arabsat-5C, a multi-mission satellite, will provide satellite capacity in both C-band and Ka-band frequencies at the Arabsat position 20°E for a wide range of satellite communications services. A Eurostar-3000 model equipped with a payload featuring 26 active transponders in C-band and 12 in Ka-band, Arabsat-5C will have a spacecraft power of 10kW at the end of its 15-year design lifetime.

Astrium and Thales Alenia Space are jointly responsible for building the satellites and delivering them in orbit. Astrium, the leading partner, will supply the Eurostar-3000 platforms and integrate the satellites. Thales Alenia Space will design and build the communications payloads. The team will also upgrade the ground control segment for the extended ARABSAT satellite fleet.
Nation:    Saudi Arabia
Type / Application:    Communication
Operator:    Arabsat
Contractors:    Astrium (prime), Thales Alenia Space (payload)
Equipment:    26 active C-band transponders, 12 active Ka-band transponders
Configuration:    Eurostar-3000
Propulsion:    ?
Power:    2 deployable solar arrays, batteries
Lifetime:    15 years
Orbit:    GEO[/size]

[Salo]

http://www.arianespace.com/news-mission-update/2011/806.asp

Another Ariane 5 is delivered to the Spaceport in French Guiana[/size]

June 10, 2011 – Ariane Flight VA204

Arianespace is keeping up its Ariane 5 mission pace with this week's arrival of components in French Guiana for the fifth heavy-lift vehicle to be launched from the Spaceport in 2011.

These Ariane 5 ECA elements were delivered by the MN Toucan, which is one of two roll-on/roll-off vessels used to transport launch vehicles from their production sites in Europe to French Guiana.

Arianespace is targeting a total of six Ariane 5 flights during 2011, with the initial three already performed this year having delivered a combined payload performance of nearly 37,000 kg.

Preparations are well advanced for the fourth Ariane 5 flight this year, with its satellite passengers – ASTRA 1N and BSAT-3c/JCSAT-110R – now undergoing their final processing in the Spaceport's S5 payload preparation facility. These two spacecraft will be orbited on another of the workhorse launcher's dual-payload missions, which is scheduled for July 1 from French Guiana.


The MN Toucan heads to Pariacabo port near Kourou, French Guiana carrying elements for the fifth Ariane 5 to be launched this year.[/size]

[Salo]

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

Late August     Ariane 5  •  Arabsat 5C & SES 2

[Salo]

http://www.arianespace.com/news-mission-update/2011/810.asp

As this Ariane 5 is readied for its rollout from the Final Assembly Building to the ELA-3 launch zone, another heavy-lift vehicle is beginning to take shape in the nearby Launcher Assembly Building.  It will be used for another dual payload of telecommunications satellites.[/size]

[Salo]

http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=6114.msg778220#msg778220

Got a notice from Arianespace that Arabsat 5C & SES 2 - Ariane 5 ECA (VA204)
should launch at the very beginning of September however they are looking at a few days delay on that timeframe (don't have exact dates, sorry)[/size]

[Salo]

http://www.arianespace.com/news/mission-status.asp

Ariane Flight VA204
Launch date: September 9, 2011
Launcher version: Ariane 5 ECA
Payload(s): Arabsat 5C & SES 2

[Salo]

http://www.avia.ru/news/?id=1312972633

Самолет Ан-124 доставил на европейский космодром Куру во Французской Гвиане спутник связи SES-2[/size]

10 августа, AVIA.RU – Транспортный самолет Ан-124 чартерным рейсов доставил на европейский космодром Куру во Французской Гвиане спутник связи SES-2, сообщает АРМС-ТАСС. Этот спутник является одной из двух полезных нагрузок, которые будут выведены на орбиту ракетой- носителем (РН) "Ариан-5" в следующем запуске этой ракеты.
 
Как сообщил европейский консорциум "Арианспейс", спутник доставлен из международного аэропорта Кайенн в Гвианский космический центр, в корпус по подготовке полезных нагрузок, где начались операции по его подготовке к запуску. Спутник построен американской компанией "Орбитал сайенсиз корпорейшн".
 
Спутник SES-2 построен на основе платформы усовершенствованного спутника Enhanced START 2.4 компании "Орбитал", оснащен 24 передатчиками диапазона C и 24 передатчиками диапазона Ku, и будет обслуживать регион Северной Америки.
 
Наряду с передатчиками связи на спутнике установлена коммерческая инфракрасная полезная нагрузка для ВВС США CHIRP (Commercially Hosted InfraRed Payload) в состав которой интегрирован датчик с широким полем обзора.
 
Масса спутника SES-2 при старте составит около 3152 кг, расчетный период нахождения на орбите 15 лет. На борту спутника будет генерироваться электроэнергия порядка 5 кВт.
 
Наряду со спутником SES-2 в отсеке полезной нагрузки «Ариан-5» будет также установлен спутник "Арабсат-5С" Организации спутниковой связи арабских стран "Арабсат".
 
Запуск спутников на орбиту ракетой-носителем "Ариан-5" планируется на 9 сентября.[/size]

[Salo]

http://www.arianespace.com/news-mission-update/2011/829.asp

SES-2 arrives in French Guiana for Arianespace's fifth Ariane 5 mission of 2011[/size]

August 9, 2011 – Ariane Flight VA204

Payload preparations for Arianespace's next mission are now underway following the delivery of SES-2 – one of two telecommunications satellites to be lofted during the workhorse Ariane 5 launcher's fifth heavy-lift flight in 2011.

Built by the U.S.-based Orbital Sciences Corporation for SES WORLD SKIES, the SES-2 spacecraft arrived in French Guiana aboard a chartered An-124 cargo jetliner, and was transported from Cayenne's Rochambeau International Airport to the Spaceport's payload preparation facilities.

SES-2 is based on Orbital's Enhanced STAR™ 2.4 satellite bus and is a hybrid C- and Ku-band spacecraft that will serve North America.  

In addition to the 24 active C-band and 24 Ku-band transponders of 36 MHz capacity each for its relay duties, SES-2 also carries the Commercially Hosted InfraRed Payload (CHIRP) for the U.S. Air Force – which integrates a wide-field of view sensor in the satellite.

The SES-2 satellite will have a mass at liftoff of approximately 3,152 kg., and is to be orbited by Ariane 5 along with Arabsat-5C for the Arab Satellite Communications Organization (Arabsat).  This mission is set for September 9.


SES-2 is designed for an operational mission lifetime of 15 years and will generate approximately five kilowatts of payload power[/size]

[Salo]

http://www.arianespace.com/news-mission-update/2011/830.asp

Arabsat-5C is welcomed in French Guiana for Arianespace's next Ariane 5 launch[/size]

August 9, 2011 – Ariane Flight VA204

The second of two passengers for Arianespace's upcoming Ariane 5 mission arrived in French Guiana this week, with the Arabsat-5C satellite now joining SES-2 – which was delivered to the Spaceport earlier in the month.

Arabsat-5C landed at Cayenne's Rochambeau International Airport aboard a chartered An-124 cargo jetliner, where the spacecraft was unloaded and readied for its transfer by road to the Spaceport near the city of Kourou.

This fifth-generation satellite for the Arab Satellite Communications Organization (Arabsat) was built in a joint effort of EADS Astrium and Thales Alenia Space.  As the lead partner, Astrium supplied the Eurostar E3000 platform and integrated the satellite, while Thales Alenia Space designed and built the communications payload. This team also is upgrading the ground control segment for the extended Arabsat satellite fleet with the series of fifth-generation spacecraft.

Arabsat-5C is a multi-mission platform designed to provide capacity in both the C- and Ka-bands for a range of communications services from Arabsat's 20° E orbital position.  With its payload of 26 active transponders in C-band and 12 in Ka-band, Arabsat-5C will have a spacecraft power of 10kW at the end of its 15-year design lifetime.

Ariane 5's upcoming launch with Arabsat-5C and SES-2 is targeted for September 9, and will continue Arianespace's supply of commercial launch services for two long-time customers.  

Arianespace has a relationship that spans more than 25 years with the Saudi Arabia-based Arabsat telecommunications operator, dating back to the launch of its first satellite – Arabsat 1A – in 1985 on an Ariane 3 vehicle.  A total of seven Arabsat spacecraft have been lofted to date by Arianespace, including Arabsat-5A, which was orbited by an Ariane 5 in June 2010.

To date, the SES group has entrusted a total of 34 satellites to Arianespace for launch, of which its ASTRA 1N relay platform was orbited on the most recent Ariane 5 mission, performed last week.   For the upcoming Arianespace flight in September, the SES-2 spacecraft is based on Orbital's Enhanced STAR™ 2.4 bus and carries a hybrid C- and Ku-band payload that will serve North America, along with the CHIRP (Commercially Hosted InfraRed Payload) for the U.S. Air Force.


Arabsat-5C is unloaded in its shipping container at Rochambeau International Airport after touching down aboard an An-124 cargo jetliner.
[/size]

[Salo]

http://www.arianespace.com/news-mission-update/2011/832.asp

Arabsat-5C is fueled for its upcoming Ariane 5 mission[/size]

August 22, 2011 – Ariane Flight VA204

The Arabsat-5C communications satellite has been fueled as preparations continue for the spacecraft's September 9 launch on Arianespace's next dual-passenger Ariane 5 flight from French Guiana.

This multi-mission satellite received its onboard propellant load in the Spaceport's S5 payload preparation building, readying Arabsat-5C for the upcoming integration in Ariane 5's payload "stack" along with co-passenger SES-2 for SES WORLD SKIES.

Arabsat-5C was built by EADS Astrium and Thales Alenia Space in a joint program for the satellite's assembly and in-orbit delivery.  As the lead partner, Astrium supplied the Eurostar E3000 platform, with responsibility for assembling and testing the spacecraft. Thales Alenia Space designed and built the communications payload, which integrates C-band and Ka-band transponders.

The spacecraft will have an estimated launch mass of 4,630 kg., and is to operate from an orbital position of 20 deg. East to provide a wide range of communications relay services for the Arab Satellite Communications Organization (Arabsat).[/size]


The Arabsat-5C satellite is shown during its propellant fueling, which was performed in the S5B hall of the Spaceport's S5 payload preparation facility.

[Salo]

http://www.arianespace.com/news-mission-update/2011/833.asp

The fifth Ariane 5 of 2011 is ready for integration of its dual-satellite payload[/size]

August 24, 2011 – Ariane Flight VA204

Arianespace has taken delivery of the Ariane 5 ECA for its fifth heavy-lift mission of 2011 at the Spaceport in French Guiana, which will orbit the Arabsat-5C and SES-2 telecommunications satellites on September 9.

The vehicle's handover came with its transfer yesterday evening from the Spaceport's Launcher Integration Building – where it was assembled by prime contractor EADS Astrium, to the Final Assembly Building – providing Arianespace the responsibility for integration of the two payloads and launch operations for the Ariane 5.

Arabsat-5C will have an estimated launch mass of 4,630 kg., while SES-2 will weigh in at approximately 3,152 kg. for liftoff.

Built in a joint effort of Europe's EADS Astrium and Thales Alenia Space, Arabsat-5C is a fifth-generation satellite for the Arab Satellite Communications Organization (Arabsat).   This multi-mission platform is designed to provide capacity in both the C- and Ka-bands for a range of communications services from Arabsat's 20 deg. East orbital position.

SES-2 was produced by the U.S.-based Orbital Sciences Corporation for SES WORLD SKIES, and is a hybrid C- and Ku-band spacecraft that will serve North America from an orbital slot of 87 deg. West.  Additionally, it carries the Commercially Hosted InfraRed Payload (CHIRP) for the U.S. Air Force – which integrates a wide-field of view sensor in the satellite.


The Ariane 5 for Arianespace's upcoming heavy-lift mission with Arabsat-5C and SES-2 moves away from the Spaceport's Launcher Integration Building (at left) on its way to the Final Assembly Building.[/size]

[Salo]

http://armstass.su/?page=article&aid=98342&cid=125

КУРУ, 23 августа. (АРМС-ТАСС). В Гвианском космическом центре по плану подготовки к запуску 9 сентября произведена заправка топливом многоцелевого спутника связи "Арабсат-5С". Спутник должен быть запущен на геостационарную орбиту ракетой-носителем "Ариан-5" вместе со вторым спутником SES-2.

Заправка спутника топливом произведена в корпусе подготовки полезной нагрузки S5 космодрома.

Спутник "Арабсат-5С" построен компаниями "EADS Астриум" и "Талес Алениа спейс" в рамках совместной программы постройки космического аппарата и его запуска на орбиту. Как головной исполнитель "Астриум" поставила платформу "Евростар Е3000", а также отвечает за сборку и испытание спутника. "Талес Алена спейс" спроектировала и построила аппаратуру связи, в которую вошли приемопередатчики диапазонов C и Ka.

Спутник имеет расчетную массу 4630 кг и предназначен для обеспечения связи в интересах Организации спутниковой связи арабских стран "Арабсат".[/size]

http://armstass.su/?page=article&aid=98395&cid=125

КУРУ, 25 августа. (АРМС-ТАСС). Ракета-носитель "Ариан-5ECA" доставлена в Гвианский космический центр для подготовки к 5-му в этом году запуску, намеченному на 9 сентября. Ракета должна вывести на геостационарную орбиту двойную полезную нагрузку - спутники связи "Арабсат-5С" и SES-2.

Как сообщил корр.АРМС-ТАСС представитель компании "Арианспейс", которая будет осуществлять запуск, ракета-носитель доставлена из корпуса сборки РН в монтажно-испытательный корпус (МИК) космодрома.

Ракета выведет на орбиту спутник связи 5-го поколения "Арабсат-5С" массой 4630 кг и спутник связи SES-2 массой 3152 кг.[/size]

[Брабонт]

Commercially Hosted IR Payload (CHIRP)

[Salo]

http://www.arianespace.com/news-mission-update/2011/836.asp

Preparations for Arianespace's next Ariane 5 mission enter the payload integration phase[/size]

August 29, 2011 – Ariane Flight VA204

Payload integration for Arianespace's fifth Ariane 5 mission of 2011 has begun with installation of the Arabsat-5C satellite atop the SYLDA dual-payload dispenser system at the Spaceport in French Guiana.

Arabsat-5C will ride as the upper passenger in Ariane 5's payload "stack," being released first during the flight sequence.  Positioned on the canister-shaped dispenser, the Arabsat-5C/SYLDA combination is ready to be encapsulated in the Ariane 5's payload fairing, and then installed over the lower passenger – SES-2 – which will be mated atop the launcher's core section.

The installation of Arabsat-5C on its SYLDA structure occurred today inside the Spaceport's launch vehicle Final Assembly Building, with this activity performed in an assembly area adjacent to where the Ariane 5 is parked atop its mobile launch table.

Arabsat-5C is a multi-mission platform for the Arab Satellite Communications Organization (Arabsat), and will provide capacity in both the C- and Ka-bands for a range of communications services.  It has a liftoff liftoff mass of approximately 4,630 kg., and will operate from Arabsat's 20 deg. East orbital position.

The satellite was produced in a joint effort of Europe's EADS Astrium and Thales Alenia Space.

Its SES-2 co-passenger for the Ariane 5 flight was built by Orbital Sciences Corporation of the U.S. for SES WORLD SKIES, and is a hybrid C- and Ku-band spacecraft that will serve North America from an orbital slot of 87 deg. West.  This platform has an estimated mass at liftoff of 3,152 kg., and it also carries the Commercially Hosted InfraRed Payload (CHIRP) for the U.S. Air Force – which integrates a wide-field of view sensor in the satellite.

Arianespace has scheduled the heavy-lift Ariane 5 flight with Arabsat-5C and SES-2 for September 9.[/size]


Arabsat-5C is shown after its installation atop the SYLDA dual-payload dispenser.

[Salo]

http://www.arianespace.com/news-mission-update/2011/837.asp

Ariane 5's upper payload completes its integration at the Spaceport[/size]

August 30, 2011 – Ariane Flight VA204

Integration of the upper portion of Ariane 5's dual-passenger "stack" has been completed, with the Arabsat-5C satellite and SYLDA dispenser system now encapsulated inside the launcher's payload fairing in preparation for the September 9 Arianespace mission from French Guiana.

This encapsulation occurred today at the Spaceport's Final Assembly Building, adjacent to where the Ariane 5 is waiting to receive Arabsat-5C and the mission's co-passenger, SES-2.

The integration process' next step will occur when SES-2 is positioned on the launcher's core section as the lower payload, allowing the "stack" to be completed with installation of the Arabsat-5C/SYLDA/fairing combination atop it.

During the flight sequence, the payload fairing will be jettisoned first, followed by deployment of Arabsat-5C.  The SYLDA dispenser is then released, allowing the subsequent separation of SES-2 to complete the Arianespace mission.

Ariane 5 is the launch services industry's workhorse vehicle of reference, with a demonstrated capability to perform efficient missions with dual satellite payloads.

For the upcoming flight, Arabsat-5C is the mission's larger payload, with an estimated liftoff mass of 4,630 kg.  SES-2 will weigh approximately 3,152 kg. at launch.

The multi-mission Arabsat-5C was built for the Arab Satellite Communications Organization (Arabsat), and is to provide capacity in both the C- and Ka-bands for a range of communications services.  To be operated from Arabsat's 20 deg. East orbital position, this spacecraft was manufactured in a joint effort by two European companies: EADS Astrium and Thales Alenia Space.

SES-2 was produced by Orbital Sciences Corporation of the U.S., and is a hybrid C- and Ku-band spacecraft for SES WORLD SKIES that will serve North America from an orbital slot of 87 deg. West.  In addition to its communications relay duties, SES-2 is carrying the Commercially Hosted InfraRed Payload (CHIRP) for the U.S. Air Force – which integrates a wide-field of view sensor in the satellite.[/size]


Ariane 5's payload fairing is ready to be lowered over Arabsat-5C, which is mounted atop the SYLDA dispenser.

[Salo]

http://www.arianespace.com/news-mission-update/2011/838.asp

Ariane 5's upper stage engine will undergo additional checks prior to launch[/size]

August 31, 2011 – Ariane Flight VA204

Arianespace will announce a launch date for its upcoming dual-passenger mission following supplementary checks to be performed on the engine that powers Ariane 5's cryogenic upper stage.

These operations will take several days, and are being carried out to ensure the highest level of quality for the heavy-lift Ariane 5 ECA – which is to orbit the Arabsat-5C and SES-2 telecommunications satellites.

The upcoming flight will be Arianespace's fifth Ariane 5 launch of 2011.[/size]

[Salo]

http://www.arianespace.com/news-press-release/2011/8-31-2011.asp

Arianespace Flight VA204: Ariane 5 ECA - Arabsat 5C - SES-2; Supplementary checks[/size]

Evry, August 31, 2011

Arianespace has decided to carry out supplementary checks on the engine powering the ESC-A cryogenic upper-stage in order to guarantee the highest level of quality of the Ariane 5 ECA launcher to be used on Flight VA204.

These operations will take a few days, after which the launch date of VA204 will be announced.[/size]

[Salo]

http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=25489.msg803111#msg803111

Due to extra checks and mitigation procedures of the turbo pump, the new date is now the 17th, pending confirmation by Arianespace