ASTRA 2F, GSAT 10=Ariane 5ECA(VA209)- 29.09.12 01:18 ЛМВ

[Salo]

http://www.arianespace.com/images/launch-kits/launch-kit-pdf-eng/VA209-ASTRA-2F-GSAT-10-EN.pdf

[Salo]

http://www.arianespace.com/news-mission-update/2012/957.asp

The go-ahead is given for Arianespace's Ariane 5 mission with ASTRA 2F and GSAT-10
September 26, 2012 – Ariane Flight VA209

Arianespace's fifth Ariane 5 flight of 2012 has been approved for its September 28 liftoff following today's successful launch readiness review, which was performed at the Spaceport in French Guiana.

The review is held prior to each Ariane 5 mission, ensuring that the heavy-lift launch vehicle and its payload are flight-ready, along with the Spaceport's infrastructure and the network of downrange tracking stations.

With today's "green light," Ariane 5 is now cleared for its September 27 rollout fr om the Final Assembly Building to the ELA-3 launch zone – wh ere it will be readied for liftoff on Friday at 6:18 p.m. local time in French Guiana.

The payload lift performance for Arianespace's latest Ariane 5 mission is more than 10,200 kg., which includes some 9,400 kg. for its two satellite passengers – ASTRA 2F and GSAT-10 – along with the launcher's dual-payload dispenser system and satellite integration hardware.

To be deployed first during the 30-minute flight sequence, ASTRA 2F is a powerful six metric ton-class relay platform that utilizes Astrium's Eurostar E3000 satellite bus – which will be operated by Luxembourg-based SES for the delivery of high-performance Direct-to-Home (DTH) and next-generation broadband services in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Equipped with Ku- and Ka-band payloads, the satellite will weigh some 6,000 kg. at liftoff.

Located below ASTRA 2F in the launcher payload "stack" is the mission's lower passenger, GSAT-10 – which was built by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) using its I-3K satellite bus. The spacecraft – which has a liftoff mass of approximately 3,400 kg. – will provide Ku- and C-band relay capacity when it joins the Indian National Satellite (INSAT) system of geostationary spacecraft. It carries 30 transponders and the GAGAN (GPS and GEO augmented navigation) system.

Arianespace's September 28 mission continues a busy year of activity for the workhorse Ariane 5. Previous launches conducted in 2012 include the March delivery of Europe's third Automated Transfer Vehicle for servicing of the International Space Station, along with dual-payload missions that orbited JCSAT-13 & VINASAT-2 (May), EchoStar XVII & MSG-3 (July) and Intelsat 20 & HYLAS 2 (August).

[Salo]

http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=29470.msg958518#msg958518

input~2 пишет:

NOTAMs for EAPs and fairing impact zones

A0225/12 - TEMPORARY DANGEROUS AREA ACTIVATED DUE TO ROCKET LAUNCHING
ARIANE ZA/VV209
LATERAL LIMITS AS FOLLOWS QUADRILATERAL:
0510N04728W 0439N04730W 0443N04829W 0514N04827W. AMSL - UNL, DAILY 1930-0000,
21 SEP 19:30 2012 UNTIL 01 OCT 00:00 2012. CREATED: 29 AUG 14:07 2012

A0226/12 - TEMPORARY DANGEROUS AREA ACTIVATED DUE TO ROCKET LAUNCHING
ARIANE ZB/V209
LATERAL LIMITS AS FOLLOWS QUADRILATERAL:
0455N04544W 0439N04545W 0446N04728W 0503N04727W. AMSL - UNL, DAILY 1930-0000,
21 SEP 19:30 2012 UNTIL 01 OCT 00:00 2012. CREATED: 29 AUG 14:14 2012

http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=29470.msg958513#msg958513

input~2 пишет:

NOTAM for EPC impact zone:

A1384/12 - ROCKET STAGES FALLING WILL TAKE PLACE IN THESE QUADRILATERAL DEFINITE AS FOLLOW: ZC/V209:0116N00045W 0032S0057W 0109N01603W 0257N01552W. MSL - ILL, EACH DAY FROM 1959 TO 0046, 21 SEP 19:59 2012 UNTIL 02 OCT 00:46 2012. CREATED: 31 AUG 16:10 2012

[Salo]

http://www.arianespace.com/news-mission-update/2012/958.asp

Ariane 5 is in the launch zone for Arianespace's fifth heavy-lift flight of 2012
September 27, 2012 – Ariane Flight VA209

Arianespace's mission with the ASTRA 2F and GSAT-10 satellites is on track for its liftoff tomorrow evening following the workhorse Ariane 5's rollout to the ELA-3 launch zone at Europe's Spaceport in French Guiana.

Moving atop one of two large mobile launch tables in service for Ariane 5, the heavy-lift vehicle emerged fr om the Final Assembly Building for its transfer to the launch pad, wh ere it was secured in place. With this step completed, final preparations can now begin for Ariane 5's September 28 liftoff at 6:18 p.m. local time in French Guiana.

This will be Arianespace's fifth Ariane 5 flight of 2012, with a payload lift performance of more than 10,200 kg. – which includes a combined mass of some 9,400 kg. for the ASTRA 2F and GSAT-10 spacecraft, plus the launcher's dual-payload dispenser system and associated integration hardware.

Riding as the upper passenger in Ariane 5's payload "stack" is ASTRA 2F, which will be released approximately 27 min. after liftoff. This satellite is based on EADS Astrium's Eurostar E3000 platform and features Ku- and Ka-band payloads.

Following its deployment by Ariane 5, ASTRA 2F will be operated by Luxembourg-based SES for the delivery of high-performance Direct-to-Home (DTH) and next-generation broadband services in Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

GSAT-10 – which was built by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) using its I-3K satellite bus – has a liftoff mass of some 3,400 kg., and will be deployed from Ariane 5's lower passenger position at approximately 30 min. into the flight.

Equipped with 30 Ku- and C-band transponders and the GAGAN (GPS and GEO augmented navigation) payload, GSAT-10 is to join the Indian National Satellite (INSAT) system of geostationary spacecraft.

Tomorrow's mission is designated VA209, signifying the 209th launch of an Ariane family vehicle since 1979.


With the ASTRA 2F and GSAT-10 satellites under its payload fairing, Ariane 5 approaches the launch pad to complete today's rollout.

[Lesobaza]

Полетели.

[Salo]

Улетела! :wink:

[Salo]

http://www.spaceflightnow.com/ariane/va209/status.html

2128 GMT (5:28 p.m. EDT)
Plus+11 minutes, 30 seconds. The cryogenic upper stage motor continues to fire as the rocket starts the next portion of the trajectory where it gives up a little bit of altitude to obtain even quicker speeds.

2128 GMT (5:28 p.m. EDT)
Plus+10 minutes, 55 seconds. Ariane is 161 km in altitude and traveling at 7.1 km/sec.

2127 GMT (5:27 p.m. EDT)
Plus+9 minutes, 50 seconds. Ariane is 164 km in altitude and traveling at 7.0 km/sec.

2127 GMT (5:27 p.m. EDT)
Plus+9 minutes, 18 seconds. The upper stage of the Ariane 5 ECA rocket is up and burning to accelerate the payload into geosynchronous transfer orbit.

2127 GMT (5:27 p.m. EDT)
Plus+9 minutes, 8 seconds. The main cryogenic stage's Vulcain engine has cut off and the spent stage has separated. It will fall back into the atmosphere.

2126 GMT (5:26 p.m. EDT)
Plus+8 minutes. Coming up on main stage shutdown in about one minute. Velocity is 5.6 km/sec.

2125 GMT (5:25 p.m. EDT)
Plus+7 minutes, 45 seconds. Ariane is 168.4 km in altitude and traveling at 5.27 km/sec.

2125 GMT (5:25 p.m. EDT)
Plus+7 minutes, 15 seconds. The rocket's climb has leveled out as designed. This temporary trajectory is needed in order to gain speed.

2125 GMT (5:25 p.m. EDT)
Plus+7 minutes. Ariane is 170 km in altitude and traveling at 4.5 km/sec.

2124 GMT (5:24 p.m. EDT)
Plus+6 minutes. The main stage's Vulcain 2 engine continues to fire as it burns a mixture of liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen rocket fuel.

2123 GMT (5:23 p.m. EDT)
Plus+5 minutes. Ariane is 156 km in altitude and traveling at 3.0 km/sec.

2122 GMT (5:22 p.m. EDT)
Plus+4 minutes. Ariane remains right on course. The rocket is 135 km in altitude and traveling at 2.5 km/sec.

2121 GMT (5:21 p.m. EDT)
Plus+3 minutes, 30 seconds. Separation of the rocket's nose cone has been confirmed, uncovering the ASTRA 2F satellite in its upper position in the dual payload stack.

2121 GMT (5:21 p.m. EDT)
Plus+3 minutes. The vehicle is 98 km in altitude, traveling at 2.1 km/sec.

2120 GMT (5:20 p.m. EDT)
Plus+2 minutes, 22 seconds. The solid rocket boosters have been jettisoned from the Ariane 5 rocket's core stage. The liquid-fueled Vulcain 2 main engine continues to fire to propel the vehicle and its satellite payload to space.

2120 GMT (5:20 p.m. EDT)
Plus+2 minutes. A beautiful early evening ascent by Ariane 5!

2119 GMT (5:19 p.m. EDT)
Plus+1 minute, 30 seconds. Less than a minute left in the burn by the solid rocket boosters. The boosters are providing 90 percent of the liftoff thrust.

2119 GMT (5:19 p.m. EDT)
Plus+60 seconds. The vehicle continues tracking on the proper heading as it rides the power of the twin solid rocket boosters and main stage liquid-fueled engine.

2118 GMT (5:18 p.m. EDT)
Plus+35 seconds. Pitch and roll maneuvers has been performed by the Ariane 5 vehicle to position itself on the correct eastward trajectory bound for its highly elliptical orbit to drop off two telecommunications satellites.

2118 GMT (5:18 p.m. EDT)
LIFTOFF! Liftoff of ASTRA 2F and GSAT 10, a dual-satellite payload for Europe and India, as the 65th Ariane 5 rocket clears the tower!

[Salo]

2152 GMT (5:52 p.m. EDT)
The Ariane 5 rocket has achieved its 51st consecutive successful launch since 2003 and the vehicle's 61st overall success in 65 flights since 1996.

2148 GMT (5:48 p.m. EDT)
Plus+30 minutes, 41 seconds. SPACECRAFT SEPARATION! The GSAT 10 communications satellite has been released fr om the Ariane 5 rocket's upper stage, completing today's launch.

Designed and built by the Indian Space Research Organization, the spacecraft will join the Indian National Satellite system from geostationary orbit at 83 degrees East.

It is headed for geostationary orbit a slot of 83 degrees East longitude for its 15-year mission using 18 C-band and 12 Ku-band transponders for television and telecommunications services across the Indian subcontinent. The craft, weighing 7,497 pounds at launch, also carries a GPS-aided navigation payload for aircraft use throughout Indian airspace.

2147 GMT (5:47 p.m. EDT)
Plus+29 minutes, 45 seconds. Ariane is 1,402 km in altitude.

2147 GMT (5:47 p.m. EDT)
Plus+29 minutes. The barrel-like "Sylda" payload adapter between ASTRA 2F and the GSAT 10 satellites has been jettisoned. This has exposed GSAT for its upcoming release from the rocket.

2146 GMT (5:46 p.m. EDT)
Plus+28 minutes. Ariane is 1,077 km in altitude.

2145 GMT (5:45 p.m. EDT)
Plus+27 minutes, 20 seconds. SPACECRAFT SEPARATION! The ASTRA 2F spacecraft has been released from the Ariane 5 rocket's upper stage, beginning a planned 15-year life span.

Built by Astrium using the Eurostar E3000 satellite design, the craft is equipped with Ku-band and Ka-band transponders to provide direct-to-home television broadcasting to Europe, the Middle East and Africa. The 13,157-pound satellite will be maneuvered into geostationary orbit for use by the SES Group of Luxembourg. The ASTRA constellation serving more than 135 million households via satellite and cable TV networks.

It will replace the aging ASTRA 2B, which was launched by Ariane 5 in September 2000 at the orbital position of 28.2 degrees East longitude.

2144 GMT (5:44 p.m. EDT)
Plus+26 minutes, 15 seconds. Altitude is 792 km, velocity is 9.2 km/sec.

2143 GMT (5:43 p.m. EDT)
Plus+25 minutes, 25 seconds. The cryogenic upper stage for Ariane 5 has just shut down to complete its burn for today's launch. The stage will prepare for deployment of the two satellite payloads a few minutes from now.

2142 GMT (5:42 p.m. EDT)
Plus+24 minutes, 30 seconds. Ariane is 562 km in altitude and traveling at 9.27 km/sec.

2141 GMT (5:41 p.m. EDT)
Plus+23 minutes, 45 seconds. Ariane is 492 km in altitude and traveling at 9.1 km/sec.

2141 GMT (5:41 p.m. EDT)
Plus+23 minutes, 15 seconds. Two minutes of propulsion remains in the upper stage.

2140 GMT (5:40 p.m. EDT)
Plus+22 minutes, 55 seconds. Ariane is 406 km in altitude and traveling at 9.0 km/sec.

2139 GMT (5:39 p.m. EDT)
Plus+21 minutes, 50 seconds. Ariane is 325 km in altitude and traveling at 8.8 km/sec.

2138 GMT (5:38 p.m. EDT)
Plus+20 minutes, 30 seconds. Ariane is 252 km in altitude and traveling at 8.6 km/sec.

2138 GMT (5:38 p.m. EDT)
Plus+20 minutes. Just over five minutes remain in this firing of the upper stage.

2137 GMT (5:37 p.m. EDT)
Plus+19 minutes. Ariane is 197 km in altitude and traveling at 8.4 km/sec.

2135 GMT (5:35 p.m. EDT)
Plus+17 minutes. Ariane is 160 km in altitude and traveling at 8.1 km/sec.

2134 GMT (5:34 p.m. EDT)
Plus+16 minutes. The vehicle is on the upward climb again. Ariane is 152.6 km in altitude and traveling at 7.9 km/sec.

2133 GMT (5:33 p.m. EDT)
Plus+15 minutes. Altitude is 149 km, velocity is 7.8 km/sec.

2132 GMT (5:32 p.m. EDT)
Plus+14 minutes. Ariane is 150 km in altitude and traveling at 7.6 km/sec.

2130 GMT (5:30 p.m. EDT)
Plus+12 minutes, 55 seconds. Ariane is 153 km in altitude and traveling at 7.46 km/sec.

2129 GMT (5:29 p.m. EDT)
Plus+11 minutes, 50 seconds. Ariane is 157 km in altitude and traveling at 7.3 km/sec.

2129 GMT (5:29 p.m. EDT)
Plus+11 minutes, 30 seconds. The cryogenic upper stage motor continues to fire as the rocket starts the next portion of the trajectory wh ere it gives up a little bit of altitude to obtain even quicker speeds.

[instml]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/pkpro/8034245897/in/set-72157631061810730/

[Space Alien]

Видео пуска
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QIEHLN_SEEU&feature=g-all-u

[Salo]

http://www.arianespace.com/news-mission-update/2012/959.asp

Ariane 5 maintains Arianespace's track record of success with the launch of ASTRA 2F and GSAT-10
September 28, 2012 – Ariane Flight VA209

The fifth Ariane 5 mission of 2012 delivered a pair of telecommunications spacecraft to geostationary transfer orbit today, marking the 65th launch to date for Arianespace's heavy-lift workhorse.

Lifting off in late afternoon sunlight at 6:18 p.m. fr om the Spaceport in French Guiana, Ariane 5 deployed its ASTRA 2F and GSAT-10 satellite passengers during a flight lasting 30 minutes.

This timing just prior to sunset provided a clear view of Ariane 5's initial trajectory as it cleared a low cloud deck and continued the ascent, enabling tracking cameras to view the solid propellant booster's separation at an altitude of 67.5 km., as well as the payload fairing's jettison at nearly 110 km. above French Guiana.

The launcher's total payload lift performance was more than 10,200 kg. – which included a combined mass of some 9,400 kg. for the two spacecraft, along with Ariane 5's multi-payload dispenser system and associated integration hardware.

Highlighting the continuing on-target accuracy of Ariane 5, the vehicle's estimated orbital parameters at injection of its cryogenic upper stage were:
- Perigee: 249.7 km. for a target of 249.7 km.
- Apogee: 35,938 km. for a target of 35,933 km.
- Inclination: 6.00 deg. for a target of 6.00 deg.

Chairman & CEO Jean-Yves Le Gall said that tonight's mission marked the 51st consecutive success for Ariane 5, "demonstrating Arianespace's unrelenting efforts to insure reliability for its customers that is unequaled in the launch services industry."

Le Gall noted tonight's flight represents a highpoint during Arianespace's particularly successful month of September, in which the company announced new launch contracts at the World Satellite Business Week event in Paris, and its Starsem affiliate lofted the European Metop-B weather satellite from Kazakhstan's Baikonur Cosmodrome.

ASTRA 2F was deployed first during the flight sequence, with its separation from Ariane 5 occurring 27 minutes after liftoff. It is the 36th satellite entrusted to Arianespace by the SES group, continuing a successful relationship that originated with the 1988 launch of ASTRA 1A using an Ariane 4 vehicle.

With an estimated liftoff mass of 6,000 kg., ASTRA 2F utilizes Astrium's Eurostar E3000 satellite bus and carries Ku- and Ka-band payloads for the delivery of high performance Direct-to-Home (DTH) and next-generation broadband services in Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

It will be operated by Luxembourg-based SES from an orbital location of 28.2 deg. East – which is one of the operator's prime positions that serves such premium broadcasters as BSkyB, the BBC, ITV and Channel 5. From this geostationary slot, SES delivers programming to almost 13 million satellite homes and over three million cable homes, as well as 700,000 Internet Protocol television (IPTV) homes in the U.K. and Ireland. Additionally, 28.2 degrees East is used by SES to broadcast numerous channels for the growing DTH platforms in sub-Saharan Africa.

"ASTRA 2F was the 36th satellite launched by our company for SES, and as with all of the others, it enables SES to reinforce its no. 1 position in direct broadcasting by satellite," Le Gall said in a post-mission speech at the Spaceport. "This new success results from a particularly intense relationship with SES over the long term, and is in the framework of a multi-launch agreement that allows even more flexibility and bring a tailored response to the needs of our customer."

GSAT-10 was the second satellite orbited during Arianespace's mission tonight from the Spaceport on its way to an orbital position of 83 deg. East – wh ere it is to be operated by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). With this latest success, Arianespace has now lofted 15 spacecraft for ISRO, which designed, assembled and integrated GSAT-10 in Bangalore, India.

Based on the I-3K satellite bus, GSAT-10 weighed approximately 3,400 kg. at liftoff and carries 30 transponders as well as the GAGAN (GPS and GEO augmented navigation) system. It will provide Ku- and C-band relay capacity when it joins the Indian National Satellite (INSAT) system of geostationary spacecraft.

Le Gall explained that ISRO is a highly loyal customer, as the collaboration with this Indian space agency began more than 30 years ago with its Apple satellite's orbiting on the third flight of an Ariane vehicle – an Ariane 1 version that was launched in June 1981.

Arianespace's previous Ariane 5 missions during 2012 lofted Europe's third Automated Transfer Vehicle for servicing of the International Space Station on March 23; the JCSAT-13 and VINASAT-2 telecommunications spacecraft on May 15; a mixed telecommunications/meteorological satellite payload of EchoStar XVII and MSG-3 on July 5; and the Intelsat 20 and HYLAS 2 relay platforms on August 2.

The next Arianespace flight is now set for October 12, using the Soyuz member of its launcher family on a mission from the Spaceport to loft two European Galileo navigation satellites.

[Salo]

http://www.arianespace.com/news-press-release/2012/9-28-2012.asp

Arianespace launch a success: Ariane 5 ECA orbits Astra 2F and GSAT-10 satellites

Kourou, September 28, 2012

On Friday, September 28, 2012, Arianespace successfully carried out the 51st Ariane 5 launch in a row, orbiting two telecommunications satellites: Astra 2F, which mainly provides direct-to-home (DTH) broadcast services for the Luxembourg-based operator SES, and the GSAT-10 communications satellite for the Indian Space Research Organization, ISRO.

65th Ariane 5 mission, 51st successful launch in a row

Today's successful mission, the 51st 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 global standard, guaranteeing independent access to space for all customers, including national and international space agencies, private operators and governments.

Arianespace's latest successful mission, the fifth Ariane 5 launch in 2012, also further confirms the European launch system's operational capabilities. Ariane 5 is the only commercial satellite launcher now on the market capable of simultaneously launching two payloads and handling a complete range of missions, from launches of commercial satellites into geostationary orbit, to dedicated launches into special orbits.

Working for prestigious operators

Arianespace offers the launch services that best match the demanding requirements of leading operators worldwide.

Arianespace and SES have developed an exceptional relationship of mutual trust reaching back more than 20 years. Astra 2F is the 36th satellite from the SES group (Euronext Paris and Luxembourg Bourse: SESG) to use an Ariane launcher. SES operates the leading direct-to-home (DTH) TV broadcast system in Europe, based on its Astra satellites, serving more than 135 million households via DTH and cable networks.

GSAT-10 is the 15th ISRO satellite to use the European launcher. Since the launch of the Apple experimental satellite on Flight L03 in 1981, Arianespace had already orbited 14 Indian satellites.

Astra 2F/GSAT-10 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 Friday, September 28, 2012 at 6:18 pm local time in Kourou (5:18 pm in Washington, D.C., 21:18 UT, 11:18 pm in Paris, and on Saturday, September 29 at 2:48 am in Bangalore).

ASTRA 2F. Built by Astrium using a Eurostar E3000 platform, ASTRA 2F weighed 6,000 kg at launch. Fitted with active Ku- and Ka-band transponders, ASTRA 2F will be positioned at 28.2 degrees East. It will deliver new-generation DTH TV broadcast services to Europe, the Middle East and Africa, and offers a design life of about 15 years.

GSAT-10. Designed, assembled and integrated by the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) in Bangalore, southern India, GSAT-10 weighed about 3,400 kg at launch and offers a design life exceeding 15 years. The satellite is fitted with 18 C-band and 12 Ku-band transponders. Positioned at 83 degrees East, it will provide direct-to-home broadcasting, weather and radio-navigation services. Its coverage zone encompasses the entire Indian sub-continent.

[Salo]

http://www.isro.org/pressrelease/scripts/pressreleasein.aspx?Oct03_2012

October 03, 2012       PRINT THIS PAGE
GSAT-10 Satellite Placed in Geosynchronous Orbit

The orbit raising manoeuvres of GSAT-10 satellite have been successfully completed from ISRO's Master Control Facility, Hassan. The third and final orbit raising manoeuvre was performed this morning (October 03, 2012) to place the GSAT-10 in an orbit with 35,734 km apogee (farthest point to earth), 35,585 km perigee (nearest point to earth) and an inclination of 0.172 degree with respect to the equator. Currently, the orbital period of GSAT-10 is 23 hours 50 minutes.

The two solar panels and the two dual gridded reflector antennas were also deployed later in the day. Currently, the satellite is in final orbital configuration at 70.18 degree East longitude. In the coming days, the satellite will be moved towards its designated location of 83 degree East and in-orbit testing of its communication and navigations payloads will be performed.

[Salo]

http://www.spacenews.com/satellite_telecom/121005-astra-launch-reignites-dispute.html

Fri, 5 October, 2012
Astra 2F Launch Reignites SES-Eutelsat Orbital Dispute
By Peter B. de Selding

NAPLES, Italy — Europe's two biggest satellite operators are fighting over rights to 500 megahertz of broadcast spectrum over Europe, with Eutelsat trying to hold on to the property and SES saying it will take ownership of it in October 2013.

The issue has been on the back burner at both companies for several years but recently was revived with the launch of SES's Astra 2F satellite, which was placed into orbit Sept. 28 and is expected to operate at 28.2 degrees east.

In confirming the satellite's successful launch, Luxembourg-based SES on Oct. 1 announced, almost in passing, that Astra 2F and two other satellites nearing launch will, as of October 2013, "use additional frequency spectrum for which the right of use was granted to SES by Media Broadcast pursuant to an agreement entered into in 2005."

SES spokesman Yves Feltes said that, following its contract with Media Broadcast, SES will take over rights to 500 megahertz of spectrum — the equivalent of 15 transponders — now held by rival Eutelsat of Paris on board the Eutelsat 28A satellite at 28.5 degrees east.

Deutstche Telekom used to have rights to these frequencies, but transferred its satellite activity to Media Broadcast several years ago.

SES never announced its 2005 agreement with Media Broadcast. But industry officials said Media Broadcast likely informed Eutelsat in 2011 that it would be ending its lease on Eutelsat 28A.

Eutelsat responded by asking the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) in Paris to rule on whether Media Broadcast and Deutsche Telekom had the right to snatch away the spectrum fr om Eutelsat.

In reporting its quarterly financial results in May 2011, Eutelsat said that in April of that year it demanded ICC arbitration "to enforce its rights at the orbital position of 28.5 degrees East." The Eutelsat agreement with Deutsche Telekom dates from 1999. Eutelsat argues that there was no time lim it to these rights, and that they cannot be transferred.

Eutelsat spokeswoman Vanessa O'Connor said Oct. 4 that Eutelsat was blindsided by the SES announcement, which came Oct. 1. She said the fact that SES now has a satellite in place does not bolster SES's rights to the spectrum, and does not supersede the ICC procedure that Eutelsat now expects to result in a decision in 2013.

"It seems to us they are jumping the gun," O'Connor said. "We are in arbitration with Media Broadcast and Deutsche Telekom, and this arbitration relates to some of the frequencies at 28.5 degrees east. Nothing will be clear until the arbitration ruling."

SES spokesman Yves Feltes said SES is not a party to the ICC arbitration and does not believe it has much of a bearing on the company's rights to the spectrum that resulted from the Media Broadcast contract.

Feltes said the Media Broadcast contract was approved by Germany's Federal Network Agency, the Bundesnetzagentur, which regulates German radio frequencies. "We have secured rights to operate 500 megahertz of spectrum" now hosted on Eutelsat 28A starting in October 2013, Feltes said, and these rights will be exercised aboard SES's own fleet, rather than through a Eutelsat lease.

[Salo]

http://www.ses.com/4233325/news/2012/13553882?name=news

SES' ASTRA 2F SATELLITE STARTS OPERATIONS
 21.11.2012

Luxembourg – November 21, 2012 – SES S.A. (Euronext Paris and Luxembourg Stock Exchange: SESG) announced today that the ASTRA 2F satellite has successfully completed its in-orbit testing and is now fully operational and in commercial service at the orbital neighborhood of 28.2/28.5 degrees East. The 52nd SES satellite was successfully launched board an Ariane 5 rocket from Kourou, French Guiana, on September 28, 2012.

ASTRA 2F was built by Astrium in Toulouse using a Eurostar E3000 platform. The multi-mission satellite carries Ku-band and Ka-band payloads for the delivery of high-performance Direct-to-Home (DTH) and next generation broadband services in Europe and Africa. Of the spacecraft's payload, 48 Ku-band transponders cover Europe and 12 Ku-band transponders are dedicated to sub-Saharan Africa, while 3 Ka-band transponders will allow SES Broadband Services to support download speeds of up to 20 Mbps.

ASTRA 2F is part of a larger fleet replacement and expansion programme at the 28.2/28.5 degrees East neighborhood, consisting of ASTRA 2E, 2F and 2G, that provides replacement and growth capacity for the UK and Ireland as well as for other services in and outside of Europe. ASTRA 2E and ASTRA 2G, also under construction with Astrium, are scheduled for launch in 2013 and 2014 respectively.