Thor 7, Sicral-2 (Syracuse-3C) - Ariane 5 ECA (VA222) - Kourou ELA-3 -- 26.04.2015 20:00 UTC

[Salo]

http://www.arianespace.com/news-mission-update/2015/1276.asp

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

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


Ariane 5's payload fairing is lowered over THOR 7 in these two images.


The details this satellite's installation atop the SYLDA dispenser system.

[Salo]

http://www.arianespace.com/news-mission-update/2015/1277.asp

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


Ariane 5's upper payload section – composed of THOR 7 and its payload fairing – is raised inside the Spaceport's Final Assembly Building for installation atop the launcher.

[che wi]

Arianespace Mission Director Jean-Marc Durand highlights preparations for Ariane-5 Flight VA222

Launch window for Ariane 5 Flight VA222:

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

[che wi]

На французском форуме пишут о каком-то инцинденте при l'opération de levage и возможном переносе пуска.

[che wi]

Arianespace Flight VA222 > THOR 7 And SICRAL 2: Launch Delayed
http://www.arianespace.com/news-press-release/2015/4-14-2015.asp

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

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

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

The new launch date targeted will be announced very soon.

[anik]

Peter B. de Selding @pbdes
Ariane 5 launch of Italian military Sicral 2 & Telenor Thor 7, sched for April 15, is delayed for ~ 10 days after cryo connector issue.

[che wi]

Arianespace Flight VA222: Ariane 5 ECA – THOR 7 and SICRAL 2; Launch is scheduled for Friday, April 24, 2015
http://www.arianespace.com/news-press-release/2015/4-16-2015-VA222-launch-date.asp

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

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

[Salo]

http://www.arianespace.com/news-mission-update/2015/1280.asp

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

[Salo]

Кстати launch kit удивительно подробный.

[che wi]

Ariane 5 is approved for this week's flight fr om the Spaceport with THOR 7 and SICRAL 2
http://www.arianespace.com/news-mission-update/2015/1282.asp

April 22, 2015 – Ariane Flight VA222

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

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

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

Спойлер

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

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

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

[свернуть]

[Salo]

http://www.arianespace.com/news-mission-update/2015/1283.asp

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

[che wi]

На форуме conquete spatiale опять пишут о возможном переносе пуска на пару дней.

[che wi]

Peter B. de Selding ‏@pbdes  · 1m ago

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

[che wi]

Arianespace Flight VA222: THOR 7 and SICRAL 2 - launch delayed
http://www.arianespace.com/news-press-release/2015/4-24-2015-VA222-launch-postponed.asp

Kourou, April 24, 2015

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

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

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

The new launch date will be announced later today.

[anik]

Peter B. de Selding @pbdes
Arianespace: We'll know late today if helium flush pipe replacement can be done fast enough to return to launch pad & launch tomorrow (Sat).
Arianespace: Launch scrub due to helium-flush pipe between upper & main stages - keeps ice from forming between stages - that disconnected.

[che wi]

Ariane 5 ECA – THOR 7 and SICRAL 2: Launch is scheduled for Sunday, April 26, 2015
http://www.arianespace.com/news-press-release/2015/4-24-2015-VA222-launch-date.asp

Kourou, April 24, 2015

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

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

[che wi]

[Salo]

http://www.arianespace.com/news-mission-update/2015/1285-FINALCOUNTDOWN.asp

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

[azeast]

Начало трансляции
http://www.arianespace.tv/

[Lanista]

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