Четыре O3b - Soyuz-STB/Fregat-MT (VS10) - Куру ELS --18.12.2014 18:37 UTC

[Salo]

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

December     Soyuz • O3b F3
Launch time: TBD
Launch site: ELS, Sinnamary, French Guiana

An Arianespace Soyuz rocket, designated VS10, will launch on a mission from the Guiana Space Center in South America. The Soyuz will carry four satellites for O3b Networks, which will provide broadband service to developing countries. The Soyuz 2-1b (Soyuz ST-B) rocket will use a Fregat upper stage. Arianespace will oversee the launch. Delayed from November. Moved up from early 2015. [Oct. 8]

[Salo]

http://spacenews.com/article/launch-report/42145o3b-galileo-satellites-swap-places-in-soyuz-launch-queue

O3b, Galileo Satellites Swap Places in Soyuz Launch Queue  
By Peter B. de Selding | Oct. 10, 2014  

Four of the eight satellites in orbit have a defect that is likely to shorten their lives, leading program managers to switch two of them off. A six-satellite constellation is sufficient to offer O3b's Ka-band broadband service for now. Credit: O3b photo
 
PARIS — Four O3b Networks broadband satellites are likely to be launched in mid-December aboard a Europeanized Russian Soyuz rocket, replacing two European Galileo navigation spacecraft in what industry officials say is a rare symbiosis between the two constellations.
The O3b and Galileo programs are not in the same business but have been in an occasionally rough competition for access to the Europeanized Soyuz. Each has had its share of satellite-related delays, and each has tried to muscle its satellites to the head of the Soyuz queue.
Based in Britain's Channel Islands, O3b's principal shareholder is commercial satellite fleet operator SES of Luxembourg, which is the world's second-largest fleet operator by revenue and as such is always a priority customer for Europe's Arianespace launch consortium. Arianespace operates the Europeanized Soyuz from Europe's Kourou, French Guiana, spaceport.
The Galileo positioning, navigation and timing constellation is owned by the European Union's executive commission, which has become the biggest single customer for Evry, France-based Arianespace, both because of Galileo and because of the Copernicus network of Earth observation satellites.
Galileo had secured the December Soyuz slot, to be followed by an O3b Soyuz launch in early 2015. 
But in recent weeks, following a bungled orbital injection of two Galileo satellites in August, Galileo managers have concluded that they would like to test these two spacecraft more fully before continuing with the constellation's launch. The testing should last until sometime in January, officials said.
For Galileo then, it is important to wait before launching further satellites. For O3b, the opposite is true. Four of the eight satellites in orbit have a defect that is likely to shorten their lives, leading program managers to switch two of them off. A six-satellite constellation is sufficient to offer O3b's Ka-band broadband service for now.
Adding the final four satellites currently under construction for O3b will add to the safety margin. Ultimately O3b has enough spectrum rights for its unusual 8,000-kilometer-altitude equatorial orbit to field more than 100 satellites if the business develops.
The company is about to receive a $300 million insurance claim because of the defect on the first four satellites, and SES has indicated it would support investing these funds into the business, likely in the form of another satellite order.
 
Twitter: @pbdes

[Salo]

http://tass.ru/kosmos/1535973

Запуски ракет-носителей "Союз" с космодрома во Французской Гвиане возобновятся в декабре
28 октября, 0:12 UTC+3

Вместо европейских навигационных спутников Galileo ракета выведет на орбиту четыре аппарата для оператора связи O3b

ПАРИЖ, 27 октября. /Корр. ТАСС Иван Батырев/. Запуски российских ракет-носителей "Союз-СТ" с экваториального космодрома в Гвианском космическом центре (ГКЦ) возобновятся в декабре, сообщило агентство France-Presse. Ближайший старт, как и планировалось ранее, состоится 18 декабря, однако вместо европейских навигационных спутников Galileo ракета выведет на орбиту четыре аппарата для оператора связи O3b.

Изменения в программе запусков связаны с происшедшим в августе инцидентом, когда "Союз" должен был доставить в космос первую пару серийных эксплуатационных спутников Galileo. Аппараты, однако, были выведены на нерасчетную орбиту по причине дефекта в конструкции разгонного блока "Фрегат-МТ", из-за чего устройства оказались непригодны к использованию по назначению.

После этого аварийного случая Европейское космическое агентство (ЕКА), выступающее заказчиком запусков, приняло решение сделать паузу в использовании российских носителей для выведения аппаратов системы Galileo. "В ЕКА предпочли взять время на то, чтобы протестировать уже находящиеся на орбите спутники, прежде чем продолжать развертывание орбитальной группировки Galileo", - отметили в компании Arianespace, которая отвечает за старты с площадок ГКЦ.

Таким образом, 18 декабря "Союз-СТ" должен стартовать из Гвианы и вывести на борту четыре спутника связи для оператора O3b Networks. Эта спутниковая система, разворачиваемая с 2013 года, призвана обеспечить высокоскоростной доступ в интернет для жителей удаленных и развивающихся регионов, где отсутствует возможность проложить оптоволоконные кабели. Для российских "Союзов" это будет десятый по счету запуск с космодрома во Французской Гвиане.

[Salo]

http://www.arianespace.com/news-mission-update/2014/1233.asp

Satellites are delivered for Arianespace's next Soyuz mission at the service of O3b Networks
 
 October 31, 2014 – Soyuz Flight VS10
Three of the four satellites for O3b Networks' next flight to "bridge the digital divide" have been delivered to French Guiana, where they will be readied for an Arianespace Soyuz launch planned for December 18.

The spacecraft trio – built by Thales Alenia Space – arrived this morning aboard a chartered cargo jetliner that landed at Félix Eboué Airport near the capital city of Cayenne, enabling them to be transferred by road to the Spaceport's preparation facilities. The fourth O3b Networks satellite in the batch is to be delivered separately.
This upcoming Soyuz mission is designated Flight VS10 in Arianespace's launcher family numbering system, signifying the medium-lift workhorse's 10th liftoff from the Spaceport since its 2011 introduction at French Guiana.
It follows Arianespace's two previous Soyuz launches that successfully orbited four satellites apiece to create the basic constellation for O3b Networks' pioneering connectivity service: Flight VS05 performed in June 2013; and this past July's Flight VS08.
The latest O3b Networks spacecraft will be deployed by Soyuz into a circular orbit at an altitude of 8,062 km. – which is four-times closer to Earth than traditional geostationary satellites, providing substantial performance benefits due to lower latency or delay.
 O3b Networks initiated commercial service on its state-of-the-art constellation across the Pacific, Africa, the Middle East and Asia in September of this year, and it already is delivering more than 4 Gbps of high quality connectivity to customers across the globe.


 Protected by their shipping container, the O3b Networks satellites are unloaded from the cargo jetliner after their delivery to French Guiana.

[che wi]

O3b Networks @satellites_ · 33m33 minutes ago

#O3blaunch: Each #O3b satellite is being carefully unloaded ready for inspection.

[Salo]

http://www.arianespace.com/news-mission-update/2014/1234.asp

Payload processing begins for the December 18 Soyuz launch with O3b Networks satellites

One of the three O3b Networks connectivity satellites is removed fr om its shipping container inside the Spaceport's S5C clean room facility.
 
 November 4, 2014 – Soyuz Flight VS10
Three of the next four spacecraft to serve O3b Networks in providing emerging market connectivity worldwide have entered their checkout phase at the Spaceport in French Guiana, preparing them for liftoff on Arianespace's next Soyuz flight.
Following their arrival in French Guiana last week, these Thales Alenia Space-built satellites were transferred by road to the Spaceport's S5 payload preparation facility – wh ere they were removed from individual shipping containers that protected them during the trans-Atlantic cargo flight from Europe.
The trio will be joined in their Soyuz launcher's payload arrangement by a fourth spacecraft, which is to be delivered separately to French Guiana ahead of the December 18 liftoff. Set to operate from a circular orbit at an altitude of 8,062 km., the four satellites will provide more capacity and drive even higher performance for O3b Networks' low-latency network.
 This upcoming Soyuz mission is designated Flight VS10 in Arianespace's launcher family numbering system, signifying the 10th liftoff of this medium-lift workhorse from the Spaceport since its 2011 introduction at French Guiana.

The individual shipping containers from which the three O3b Networks spacecraft were removed in clean room conditions provided protection during last week's cargo flight to French Guiana.

[che wi]

O3b Networks ‏@satellites_  19 minutes ago

#O3blaunch: As final spacecraft equipment arrives on-site, the countdown to liftoff begins.

[Salo]

http://www.arianespace.com/news-mission-update/2014/1240.asp

The next four O3b Networks satellites are readied for Arianespace's December Soyuz launch
 
 November 25, 2014 – Soyuz Flight VS10
Payload processing for Arianespace's third Soyuz mission at the service of O3b Networks has reached full speed, with all four connectivity satellites now at the Spaceport – where fueling and integration operations are underway.
Preparations for the launch have included delivery of the final member in the four-spacecraft cluster to French Guiana, the start-up of fueling for the satellites, and integration of the first passenger on the dispenser system that will deploy the payloads in orbit.
Liftoff of Arianespace's Soyuz with these satellites is set for December 18, following the medium-lift workhorse's previous missions that lofted four O3b Networks spacecraft each in July 2014 and June 2013. 
The initial eight satellites orbited by Arianespace enabled O3b Networks to become fully operational.  With its roll-out of services on a global basis, the company offers a system that combines the reach of satellite with the speed of fiber – providing customers with affordable, low latency, high bandwidth connectivity.
Thales Alenia Space builds the O3b Networks Ka-band relay platforms, which have a liftoff mass of approximately 700 kg. each.  Their trapezoidal form enables four satellites to be installed on a tube-shaped dispenser system used on each launch.
 The upcoming mission for O3b Networks is designated Flight VS10 in Arianespace's launcher family numbering system, denoting the 10th mission of Soyuz performed from the Spaceport.
 
     
The fourth O3b Networks spacecraft for Arianespace's Flight VS10 mission is shown during its arrival in French Guiana.

 
Processing activity at the Spaceport includes the start-up of satellite integration on the Soyuz dispenser system

 
and fueling.

[phobos24]

[che wi]

В Гвианском космическом центре продолжается подготовка к пуску российской ракеты-носителя «Союз-СТ»
http://www.federalspace.ru/21171/

В Гвианском космическом центре (Французская Гвиана) в соответствии с графиком работ продолжается подготовка к пуску ракеты-носителя (РН) «Союз-СТ-Б» с разгонным блоком (РБ) «Фрегат-МТ» и космическими аппаратами (КА) «О3Б».

Накануне специалисты ОАО «РКЦ «Прогресс» выполнили стыковку блока III ступени с пакетом ракеты-носителя. Специалисты НПО им. С. А.Лавочкина и ФГУП «ЦЭНКИ» провели заправку баков разгонного блока «Фрегат-МТ» компонентами ракетного топлива и сжатыми газами, а расчёты ФГУП «ЦЭНКИ» выполнили подготовку систем и агрегатов комплекта технологического оборудования стартового комплекса для приёма ракеты-носителя.

Пуск РН «Союз-СТ-Б» с РБ «Фрегат-МТ» и КА «О3Б» запланирован на 21:37 мск 18 декабря с.г.
 

Спойлер

О программе «Союз в Гвианском космическом центре»
 
Проект «Союз в ГКЦ» осуществляется на основе Межправительственного соглашения между Россией и Францией, подписанного в ноябре 2003 года. Роскосмос отвечает за выполнение программы «Союз в ГКЦ» с российской стороны и координирует работы с отечественными предприятиями ракетно-космической отрасли, задействованными в программе (ФГУП «ЦЭНКИ», ОАО «РКЦ «Прогресс», НПО им. С.А.Лавочкина).

Ракета-носитель «Союз-СТ», производства ОАО «РКЦ «Прогресс», разработана на базе ракеты «Союз-2» для обеспечения коммерческих запусков космических аппаратов с космодрома Куру (Французская Гвиана). Она адаптирована к требованиям Гвианского космического центра в части безопасности (прием телекоманд с Земли на прекращение полета), системы телеизмерений (передатчики, работающие в дециметровом диапазоне с европейской структурой кадра телеметрии) и условий эксплуатации (повышенная влажность, морская транспортировка и другие). Ракета-носитель «Союз-СТ» оснащена соответствующим международным требованиям головным обтекателем типа СТ, что, в сочетании с использованием разгонного блока «Фрегат», позволяет обеспечить выведение на орбиту самого широкого спектра полезных нагрузок.

Разгонный блок «Фрегат-МТ» разработан НПО им. С. А.Лавочкина в рамках Федеральной космической программы России для выведения космических аппаратов различного назначения в составе модернизированных и существующих ракет-носителей типа Р-7А. Разгонный блок позволяет существенно повысить энергетические и эксплуатационные характеристики ракет-носителей. Использование блока делает возможным выведение космических аппаратов практически на любые заданные орбиты искусственных спутников Земли, а также межпланетные траектории.

[свернуть]

[Liss]

Зоны:

A0397/14 - RESTRICTED AREA SOR4 ACTIVATED. 17 DEC 09:00 2014 UNTIL 28 DEC 20:10 2014. CREATED: 01 DEC 15:44 2014

A0398/14 - DANGEROUS AREA SOD3 ACTIVATED. DAILY:1720-2040, 18 DEC 17:20 2014 UNTIL 28 DEC 20:40 2014. CREATED: 01 DEC 15:48 2014

A0399/14 - TEMPORARY DANGEROUS AREA ACTIVATED DUE TO ROCKET LAUNCHING SOYOUZ ZA/VS10 LATERAL LIMITS AS FOLLOWS QUADRILATERAL: 0529N04936W 0515N04935W 0514N05014W 0529N05014W. AMSL - UNL, DAILY: 1720-2040, 18 DEC 17:20 2014 UNTIL 28 DEC 20:40 2014. CREATED: 01 DEC 16:21 2014

A0400/14 - TEMPORARY DANGEROUS AREA ACTIVATED DUE TO ROCKET LAUNCHING SOYOUZ ZB/VS10 LATERAL LIMITS AS FOLLOWS QUADRILATERAL: 0529N04355W 0501N04356W 0503N04512W 0530N04512W. AMSL - UNL, DAILY: 1720-2040, 18 DEC 17:20 2014 UNTIL 28 DEC 20:40 2014. CREATED: 01 DEC 16:31 2014

A0401/14 - TEMPORARY DANGEROUS AREA ACTIVATED DUE TO ROCKET LAUNCHING SOYOUZ ZC/VS10 LATERAL LIMITS AS FOLLOWS QUADRILATERAL: 0526N03938W 0448N03939W 0450N04109W 0529N04108W. AMSL - UNL, DAILY: 1720-2040, 18 DEC 17:20 2014 UNTIL 28 DEC 20:40 2014. CREATED: 01 DEC 16:33 2014

[Liss]

Добрые люди подсказывают, что -- дабы добро не пропадало -- через спутники O3b гонят в реальном времени разведывательную видеоинформацию и осуществляют командование и управление американскими войсками в зонах военных действий.

http://www.ses.com/4233325/news/2014/20442917

SES DEMONSTRATES GROUND BREAKING NEW O3B SATELLITE TECHNOLOGY FOR U.S. GOVERNMENT CUSTOMERS 08.12.2014

Medium Earth Orbit satellites support real time HD video ISR, command and control to forward deployments

RESTON, VA, December 8, 2014 -- Global satellite solutions provider SES Government Solutions (SES GS) hosted a capabilities demonstration of the O3b satellite constellation for U.S. Government customers at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Florida. Members of the armed forces witnessed the enhanced communications capabilities available to them through the new O3b satellite fleet, including increased information throughput and significantly reduced latency.

The satellite network, consisting of Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) satellites flying 5,009 miles above the Earth's surface, was able to backhaul and disseminate multiple channels of HD full motion video and simultaneously stream 4K real-time video at fiber-like speeds in a remote field of operations with no fiber infrastructure.

"O3b is a ground-breaking technology that will greatly enhance government capabilities. This is not just an incremental boost in network performance, but offers the potential to change the way users operate, providing communication capabilities not previously available," said President and CEO of SES Government Solutions, Tip Osterthaler. "It gives the warfighter fiber-like connectivity on day one of operations."

The applications for this technology include backhaul and forward distribution of Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) data, as well as enhanced, real-time command and control. O3b satellites can facilitate the immediate distribution of high resolution maps, weather data and other processed information for use by deployed forces. Since O3b has fiber-like performance, it will allow deployed commands to optimize the current architecture of deployed communications networks, enabling them to leave latency-sensitive applications in the rear and lighten their IT infrastructure footprint with no loss of capability.

O3b also offers steerable spot beams which can be repointed on short notice or follow a moving asset. O3b system operations and narrow spot beams can make communications difficult to intercept and jam, enhancing security for the government user. By steering an O3b satellite beam to remote locations, customers can also acquire the superior performance, including lower cost per bit for higher throughputs, at locations specified by customers. O3b's satellites include Ka-band coverage of +/-45° over major world conflict hotspots, Latin America, Africa, Middle East, South and East Asia and the Pacific Ocean.

SES GS was the first government distribution partner to include O3b on their General Services Administration (GSA) Schedule (as of June 30, 2014), making them the first distribution partner to offer O3b capability directly to the U.S. Government. The equipment used at the demonstration is currently available on their GSA Schedule. Additionally, O3b products and capacity are available for purchase through the Future COMSATCOM Services Acquisition (FCSA) contract jointly administered by the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) and the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA).

The first four O3b satellites were launched in June 2013. The second four were launched in July 2014. With eight satellites on orbit, O3b declared it was ready for service on September 1, 2014. In December 2014, an additional four satellites will join the constellation, adding additional capacity and the ability to serve many more users.

[Lanista]

Так и назвали бы O3BS
S - for SUFFER!

[KL]

Liss пишет:
Добрые люди подсказывают, что -- дабы добро не пропадало -- через спутники O3b гонят в реальном времени разведывательную видеоинформацию и осуществляют командование и управление американскими войсками в зонах военных действий.

 http://www.ses.com/4233325/news/2014/20442917

Спойлер

SES DEMONSTRATES GROUND BREAKING NEW O3B SATELLITE TECHNOLOGY FOR U.S. GOVERNMENT CUSTOMERS 08.12.2014

Medium Earth Orbit satellites support real time HD video ISR, command and control to forward deployments

RESTON, VA, December 8, 2014 -- Global satellite solutions provider SES Government Solutions (SES GS) hosted a capabilities demonstration of the O3b satellite constellation for U.S. Government customers at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Florida. Members of the armed forces witnessed the enhanced communications capabilities available to them through the new O3b satellite fleet, including increased information throughput and significantly reduced latency.

[свернуть]

На самом деле, SES Government Solutions для того и работает, чтобы предлагать госструктурам услуги коммерческой спутниковой связи. На Astra 2G, запуск которой сейчас планируется на 28 декабря на "Протоне", также стоят транспондеры X- и Ka-диапазонов, которые SES GS будет продавать американским ведомствам.
Собственно, SES GS имеет славную историю таких работ. Вот кусочек текста об этом (полная версия, надеюсь, будет в заметке про Astra 2G в НК 2015-02):

История использования госструктурами спутников, теперь входящих во флот компании SES, имеет давнюю историю. В 1973 г. американская компания RCA Astro Electronics (подразделение корпорации RCA, образованное в конце 1950-х гг.), активно занимавшаяся на тот момент проектами в области телекоммуникационных КА, подписала первый контракт с ВВС США о предоставлении услуг спутниковой связи. Для реализации этого соглашения в RCA было выделено специальное подразделение RCA American Communications (RCA AmeriCom). На следующий год компания начала предоставлять услуги спутниковой связи для Министерства обороны США. В декабре 1975 г. для этих целей был выведен на орбиту первый специализированный КА Satcom F1. С середины 1970-х гг. услугами RCA AmeriCom пользуется NASA, а с 1979 г. -- Министерство торговли США. В 1980-е гг. пользователями системы стали государственные информационные сети Вооруженных Сил США AFRTS (Armed Forces Radio and Television Service) и Белого Дома WHCA (White House Communications Agency), а в начале 1990-х -- Центральное разведывательное управление США. В 1986 г. корпорация General Electric приобрела RCA, в результате спутниковый оператор был переименован в GE AmeriCom. Затем в 1993 г. он был куплено компанией Martin Marietta, вместе с которой в 1995 г. вошел в состав Lockheed Martin. Наконец, в 2001 г. компания SES приобрела GE AmeriCom, переименованный в SES AmeriCom. Эта компания стала отвечать за предоставление телекоммуникационныхз услуг на территории Северной Америки, а подразделением по предоставлению услуг государственным органам стала компания AGS (AmeriCom Government Services). В 2005 г. для удовлетворения спроса заказчиков AGS в Европе, Африке и Южной Америке был запущен КА AMC-12, а в регионе Тихого океана -- AMC-23. В 2007 г. AGS перешла от предоставления каналов связи к поставке «готовых решений под ключ». В 2011 г. в рамках единой SES S.A. вопросами работы с госструктурам вместо AGS стало заниматься подразделение SES Government Solutions. Основными заказчиками компании в США являются Министерство обороны, Армия, ВВС, NASA, Министерство торговли, Министерство внутренних дел, Министерство энергетики, Министерство юстиции. Компания предоставляет широкий спектр услуг, в том числе голосовой связи, передачи видео и цифровых данных. Кроме того, она сдает в аренду транспондеры на КА, создает специализированные сети для государственных подрядчиков, таких как оборонные и телекоммуникационные компании. 

[Salo]

http://www.arianespace.com/news-mission-update/2014/1246.asp

Final payload integration begins for O3b Networks' four satellites to be orbited on the next Arianespace Soyuz mission
 
 December 10, 2014 – Soyuz Flight VS10
O3b Networks' four-satellite payload for Arianespace's next Soyuz flight has been integrated on the launcher's Fregat upper stage, marking another milestone at the Spaceport in preparations for the December 18 afternoon mission from French Guiana.
The cluster of spacecraft – previously installed on a tube-shaped dispenser system – was mated atop the Fregat upper stage during activity in the Spaceport's S3B payload preparation facility.
This step will be followed by encapsulation of the Fregat stage and its satellites in a protective payload fairing, creating an "upper composite" unit to be placed atop Soyuz once the medium-lift vehicle has been rolled out to the launch zone.
Arianespace's upcoming Soyuz flight is the 10th from French Guiana since this launcher's introduction at the Spaceport in October 2011, as well as its third at the service of O3b Networks. 
The previous two missions for O3b Networks also lofted four spacecraft each on launches performed in July 2014 and June 2013 – enabling the company to deliver connectivity that combines the reach of satellite with the speed of fiber, providing customers with affordable, low latency, high bandwidth connectivity.
Thales Alenia Space built the satellites as prime contractor, with the spacecraft having individual liftoff masses of 700 kg.  They are designed to operate in circular orbit, giving the O3b Networks' satellite constellation a vast coverage area across emerging and insufficiently connected markets in Latin America, Africa, the Middle East, Asia and Australia – with a collective population of over 3 billion people.
 
Launch window for Soyuz Flight VS10
Universal time (GMT) At 18:37:00 on Dec. 18, 2014
 
     
Installation of O3b Networks' satellites for the  upcoming  Arianespace Soyuz mission is shown in this photo series from the Spaceport's S3B payload preparation facility. The dispenser with its four spacecraft is moved toward the Soyuz' Fregat upper stage, in the foreground.



The dispenser is lowered onto the re-ignitable Fregat stage.

[Salo]

http://www.arianespace.com/images/launch-kits/launch-kit-pdf-eng/VS10-launchkit-EN.pdf

[Salo]

http://www.arianespace.com/news-mission-update/2014/1247.asp

Arianespace's upcoming Soyuz mission receives its "identity" at the Spaceport
 
 December 12, 2014 – Soyuz Flight VS10
The payload unit for Arianespace's next Soyuz launch has now been decorated with logos of the company and this flight's customer – connectivity provider O3b Networks – as preparations continue for a liftoff from the Spaceport in French Guiana on December 18.
This "upper composite" consists of the mission's four O3b Networks satellites and their dispenser system, which have been installed atop the Soyuz launcher's Fregat upper stage and encapsulated in a protective fairing.
The fairing's decals were added during activity in the Spaceport's S3 clean room facility, readying the upper composite for transfer to the ELS launch pad and its hoisting atop the assembled Soyuz inside a 53-meter tall mobile launch service tower.
Designated Flight VS10 in Arianespace's mission numbering system, next week's launch will be the third with Soyuz at the service of O3b Networks, and the 10th for this medium-lift vehicle since its October 2011 introduction at the Spaceport.
The four 700-kg. spacecraft lofted by Flight VS10 will join eight O3b Networks satellites already in orbit, which were launched in clusters of four on Arianespace missions in July 2014 and June 2013.  These relay platforms operate at a medium Earth orbit (MEO) orbital altitude of 8,062 km., significantly reducing round-trip data transmission times when compared to telecommunications satellites in geosynchronous Earth orbit (GEO) satellites at 36,000 km.
Thales Alenia Space produced the Ku-band satellites as prime contractor. Benefits of the Ku-band frequency include very large bandwidth availability, a low utilization by existing satellite systems, and the ability to use smaller antennas.
Flight VS10 will be Arianespace's 11th mission of 2014.
 
Launch window for Soyuz Flight VS10
Universal time (GMT) At 18:37:00 on Dec. 18, 2014
 


A large O3b Networks decal is affixed to the "upper composite," joining Arianespace's logo on the payload fairing.

[Salo]

[Space Alien]

«Союз в ГКЦ»: состоялся вывоз ракеты-носителя «Союз-СТ» на стартовый комплекс

15 декабря 2014 г. в Гвианском космическом центре состоялся вывоз ракеты-носителя (РН) «Союз-СТ-Б» на стартовый комплекс (СК), решение о котором было принято накануне совместной российско-европейской комиссией.

Завершив вертикализацию российской ракеты-носителя «Союз-СТ» в мобильной башне обслуживания (МБО) специалисты предприятий ракетно-космической промышленности провели операции по стыковке коммуникаций «пакета», сборке схем термостатирования, стыковке заправочных коммуникаций и другие операции, предусмотренные графиком подготовки. Затем предполагается начать доставку космической головной части на СК и ее подъём на площадку МБО.

Пуск РН «Союз-СТ-Б» с РБ «Фрегат-МТ» и космическими аппаратами «О3Б» запланирован на 21:37 мск 18 декабря с.г.

http://www.federalspace.ru/21192/

   

[Salo]

http://www.arianespace.com/news-mission-update/2014/1249.asp

O3b Networks' four satellites are integrated on Soyuz for Arianespace's December 18 flight
 
 December 16, 2014 – Soyuz Flight VS10
Arianespace's next medium-lift Soyuz to be launched from French Guiana is now complete following the integration of its "upper composite," which consists of four O3b Networks connectivity satellites, their protective payload fairing and the Fregat upper stage.
This activity was performed at the Spaceport's ELS launch complex. It began with the upper composite's transfer from the S3B payload preparation facility to the launch pad on a special transporter, and was followed by its hoisting to the upper level of a purpose-built mobile gantry – which provides a protected environment for the vertical installation atop Soyuz.
Final checkout of the completed medium-lift launch vehicle is now underway, leading to the Arianespace liftoff that is planned on Thursday, December 18 at 3:37 p.m. local time in French Guiana.
The upcoming mission's payload – four Thales Alenia Space-produced satellites that will expand O3b Networks' pioneering high-speed connectivity system – are to be deployed during a flight lasting 2 hrs., 22 min.
These 700-kg., Ka-band relay platforms will join eight O3b Networks spacecraft already in orbit, which were launched in clusters of four each on Arianespace Soyuz missions in July 2014 and June 2013.
Thursday's mission is designated Flight VS10 in Arianespace's launch vehicle numbering system, signifying the 10th liftoff of this medium-lift workhorse from the Spaceport in French Guiana.
 
Launch window for Soyuz Flight VS10
Moscow, Russia At 9:37:00 p.m. on Dec. 18, 2014
 
     
Integration of Flight VS10's "upper composite" is shown in these photos from the Spaceport's ELS launch complex at French Guiana, beginning with its delivery by a special transporter to the mobile gantry that protects Arianespace's Soyuz.


This element was then hoisted  

 
and installed atop the vehicle in the gantry's upper level – completing the launcher build-up process.