Sky Muster II (NBN CO 1B), GSAT-18 - Ariane 5 ECA (VA231) - Куру ELA-3 - 05.10.2016, 20:30 UTC

[Salo]

http://www.arianespace.com/mission-update/sky-muster-satellite-delivered-for-flight-va231/

Aug 31, 2016
Sky Muster™ II comes to French Guiana for launch on Ariane 5

The second Sky Muster™ satellite to be orbited by Arianespace for Australia's nbn™ arrived in French Guiana this week, taking one of the world's largest communications platforms one step closer to its October launch aboard a heavy-lift Ariane 5.   

Enclosed in its protective shipping container, Sky Muster™ II is unloaded from the chartered An-124 cargo jetliner at Félix Eboué Airport following the satellite's arrival in French Guiana.
 
Weighing in at 6,400 kg. for liftoff, Sky Muster II will provide additional data capacity to support nbn's delivery of satellite broadband service – helping bridge Australia's digital divide for some 400,000 homes and businesses in regional and remote areas of the country.
Sky Muster II was delivered by a chartered Antonov An-124 cargo jetliner, which touched down yesterday at Félix Eboué Airport near the French Guiana capital city of Cayenne. After unloading in its protective shipping container, the satellite was ready for a road trip to the Spaceport launch base.
The October 4 mission – designated Flight VA231 in Arianespace's launcher family numbering system – follows the company's lofting of nbn's first Sky Muster relay platform in September 2015, using another Ariane 5.
 

Artwork on Ariane 5 for Sky Muster's Australia coverage

As with last year's launch, the Ariane 5's protective payload fairing for Flight VA231 will be decorated with artwork related to the nbn network that will enable communities across Australia to access fast broadband, with the goal of connecting eight million homes and businesses by 2020.
The artwork is a mosaic-style image composed of more than 700 Australians who won nbn's "Blast Your Face Into Space" competition for the opportunity to include their picture on Arianespace's workhorse launch vehicle.
On the Ariane 5 used last September with the original Sky Muster satellite, its payload fairing included a drawing from six-year-old student Bailey Brooks, whose school won a contest to name the satellite, submitting "Sky Muster" as the suggestion.
Joining Sky Muster II for Arianespace's Flight VA231 in October will be India's GSAT-18 telecommunications satellite, developed by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). GSAT-18 will have a liftoff mass in the 3,400-kg. category.   
         
nbn website: www.nbnco.com.au/
ISRO website: www.isro.gov.in/

[che wi]

CNES ‏@CNES  · 5 minutes ago

À Kourou, les ergoliers font le plein de Sky Muster II, #satellite de #télécommunications bientôt lancé par #Ariane5

[Salo]

http://www.arianespace.com/mission-update/va231-launcher-and-payload-preparations/

Sep 20, 2016
Parallel launcher and payload preparations put Ariane 5 on track for next month's mission

Riding atop a mobile launch table, Ariane 5 is shown at left during its transfer fr om the Spaceport's Launcher Integration Building to its Final Assembly Building; while Sky Muster II and GSAT-18 undergo their separate fueling processes inside the S5 payload preparation facility (photos at center and right).

Pre-flight activities for Arianespace's upcoming Ariane 5 mission are ramping up at the Spaceport in French Guiana, with launcher and payload preparations advancing in parallel for the October 4 liftoff.
                            
In a major milestone reached this month, Ariane 5 was rolled out from the Spaceport's Launcher Integration Building – wh ere its core cryogenic stage, two solid boosters and cryogenic upper stage were mated – to the Final Assembly Building. This process formally transferred authority for the heavy-lift vehicle to Arianespace from production prime contractor Airbus Safran Launchers.
With Ariane 5 now under Arianespace's responsibility, the launcher is in position to receive its two passengers: the Sky Muster II and GSAT-18 telecommunications satellites, both of which were fueled earlier this month inside the Spaceport's S5 payload preparation facility.
The October 4 mission with Ariane 5 is designated Flight VA231 in Arianespace's numbering system, and it will deliver the two spacecraft to geostationary transfer orbit.

 

Two telecommunications payloads, one launcher

Built by SSL (Space Systems Loral) for the Australian national broadband network (nbn™), Sky Muster II will utilize advanced-design multiple spot beams to help bridge the digital divide for some 400,000 homes and businesses in regional and remote areas of the country.
Sky Muster II is one of the world's largest communications platforms with a liftoff mass estimated at 6,400 kg. Its launch follows the orbiting of nbn's first Sky Muster satellite on an Arianespace Ariane 5 mission performed in September 2015.
Flight VA231's second passenger – GSAT-18 – is a 3,400-kg.-category telecommunications spacecraft developed by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). Once in orbit, it will serve as a replacement for operational satellites that currently provide key national services in multiple frequency bands – to be joined by GSAT-17, which will be orbited on a future Ariane 5 mission from the Spaceport in French Guiana.   
         
nbn website: www.nbnco.com.au/
SSL website: www.sslmda.com/
ISRO website: www.isro.gov.in/
Airbus Safran Launchers website: www.airbusafran-launchers.com/

[che wi]

Arianespace ‏@Arianespace  28 minutes ago

A key milestone for Flight #VA231: The lower passenger #GSAT-18 meets up with the launcher #Ariane5

[Salo]

http://www.arianespace.com/mission-update/va231-payload-integration-for-ariane-5/

Sep 27, 2016
Arianespace integrates Sky Muster™ II and GSAT-18 for its upcoming Ariane 5 launch

The final payload integration process for Arianespace Flight VA231 is highlighted in this photo series. At left, GSAT-18 is installed atop Ariane 5's core stage inside the Spaceport's Final Assembly Building. At center and right, Ariane 5's payload fairing containing the Sky Muster™ II satellite is moved into position and then lowered over GSAT-18.

The Ariane 5 for Arianespace's eighth mission of 2016 is now fully assembled following this week's integration of its two satellite passengers at the Spaceport in French Guiana.
                            
During activity in Ariane 5's Final Assembly Building, the upper payload component – containing Sky Muster™ II, mounted on its SYLDA dispenser system and protected by an ogive-shaped fairing – was lowered into position over GSAT-18, which was previously installed atop the launcher's central core.
This step clears the way for final checkout, which will enable the launch readiness review to be conducted on September 30, followed by Ariane 5's rollout to the Spaceport's ELA-3 launch zone the following Monday, and an early evening liftoff on Tuesday, October 4.
The upcoming mission is designated Flight VA231 in Arianespace's numbering system, and it will deliver the two telecommunications payloads into geostationary transfer orbit.

 

An Ariane 5 mission for Australia and India

To be deployed first during the 32-minute flight sequence is Sky Muster™ II, which was produced by SSL (Space Systems Loral) for Australian operator nbn™. Carrying Ka-band transponders and with a liftoff mass estimated at 6,400 kg., the satellite will help extend high-speed internet across Australia – including the Norfolk, Christmas, Macquarie and Cocos islands.
Ariane 5's second passenger – GSAT-18 – is a 3,400-kg.-category spacecraft developed by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), with 12 transponders in Ku-band and another 24 in C-band. Once in orbit, it will provide telecommunications services for India – strengthening ISRO's current fleet of 14 operational satellites.
Flight VA231 will mark Arianespace's eighth of 11 missions targeted in 2016, and is the company's fifth this year using an Ariane 5 – which is one of three launch vehicles operated by Arianespace at the Spaceport, along with the medium-lift Soyuz and light-lift Vega.
          
Ariane Flight VA231 PDF / 644 KB   
                                          
nbn website: www.nbnco.com.au/
SSL website: www.sslmda.com/
ISRO website: www.isro.gov.in/

[Salo]

Брошюра:
http://www.arianespace.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/VA231-launchkit-EN-3.pdf

[Salo]

http://www.arianespace.com/press-release/arianespace-to-launch-satellites-for-australia-and-india-with-ariane-5/

Sep 28, 2016
Arianespace to launch satellites for Australia and India with Ariane 5

For its eighth mission of 2016, and the year's fifth Ariane 5 launch from the Guiana Space Center in French Guiana, Arianespace will orbit two satellites: Sky Muster™ II for the Australian operator nbn (National Broadband Network), and GSAT-18 for the Indian space agency ISRO (Indian Space Research Organization).   
                            
Sky Muster™ II and GSAT-18 will be the 542nd and 543rd satellites to be launched by Arianespace. This Ariane 5 flight will be the 280th mission performed by the Arianespace launcher family.
The launch will be from Ariane Launch Complex No. 3 (ELA 3) in Kourou, French Guiana.

The Launch Readiness Review (LRR) will take place on Friday, September 30, 2016 in Kourou, to authorize the start of operations for the final countdown.
Sky Muster™ II will be the second satellite launched by Arianespace for the Australian operator nbn owned by the Commonwealth of Australia, after the first Sky Muster™ spacecraft orbited in September 2015.
Sky Muster™ II reflects the country's political commitment to bridging the digital divide, especially in the rural and isolated regions of Australia. This new satellite will help extend high-speed internet to the entire country, including the Norfolk, Christmas, Macquarie and Cocos islands, in conjunction with the services already delivered by Sky Muster™ I.
Built by SSL (Space Systems Loral) in Palo Alto, California using a 1300 platform, Sky Muster™ II will be the 59th SSL satellite orbited by Arianespace – which has four more satellites from this manufacturer in its order book.
GSAT-18 will be the 20th satellite from ISRO to be launched by Arianespace. Since the launch of the Apple experimental satellite on Flight L03 in 1981, Arianespace has orbited 19 Indian satellites, winning 86% of the geostationary orbit launch contracts that the country has opened to non-Indian launch systems.
Built by ISRO, GSAT 18 will provide telecommunications services for India, strengthening ISRO's current fleet of 14 operational telecom satellites.

VA231 : AVEC ARIANE 5, ARIANESPACE AU SERVICE DE L'AUSTRALIE ET DE L'INDE  PDF / 404 KB

[Salo]

http://www.arianespace.com/mission-update/va231-launch-readiness-review/

Sep 30, 2016
Approval is given for Arianespace's Ariane 5 launch with Sky Muster™ II and GSAT-18

Arianespace's next Ariane 5 flight has been authorized for liftoff on October 4 following today's launch readiness review, which was conducted at the Spaceport in French Guiana.      

This milestone confirmed that the heavy-lift launcher and its dual-satellite payload are flight-ready, along with the Spaceport's infrastructure and the network of downrange tracking stations.
With approval granted, Ariane 5 is cleared for its October 3 rollout from the Final Assembly Building to the ELA-3 launch zone. Liftoff will occur the following day during a 1-hour, 15-minute launch window that opens at 5:30 p.m. local time in French Guiana.
Ariane 5 will deliver a lift performance of more than 10,600 kg. on the mission to geostationary transfer orbit (GTO), which is designated Flight VA231. This total includes some 9,800 kg. for its Sky Muster™ II and GSAT-18 satellite passengers, and also factors in the workhorse vehicle's dual-payload deployment system and integration hardware.

 

Another dual-passenger launch for Ariane 5

The Sky Muster™ II satellite – which was produced by SSL (Space Systems Loral) for Australian operator nbn™ – will ride in the upper position of Ariane 5's payload arrangement, to be deployed first during the 32-min. flight sequence.
Carrying Ka-band transponders, Sky Muster™ II reflects Australia's commitment to bridging the digital divide, especially in its rural and isolated regions. The satellite will help extend high-speed internet to the entire country, including the Norfolk, Christmas, Macquarie and Cocos islands. Arianespace orbited the first Sky Muster™ spacecraft on an Ariane 5 mission performed in September 2015.
Located below Sky Muster™ II in the launcher payload arrangement is the mission's lower passenger – GSAT-18 – which was developed by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) with 12 transponders in Ku-band and another 24 in C-band. It will provide telecommunications services for India once in its final orbit, strengthening the Indian space agency's current fleet of 14 operational satellites.

Ariane Flight VA231 PDF / 644 KB   
                                                
nbn website: www.nbnco.com.au/
SSL website: www.sslmda.com/
ISRO website: www.isro.gov.in/

[che wi]

[vogel]

Перенос на завтра, на то же время.
https://twitter.com/arianespaceceo/status/783361637575188480

Due to high altitude winds, decision to postpone #VA231. Tomorrow's forecast is green. Launch window now set to open on Oct. 5 at 20:30 UTC.

[Salo]

Stéphane Israël ‏@arianespaceceo  1 ч1 час назад
#VA231 update: Fueling of Ariane 5 has started. Launch window opens at 20:30 UTC #GoAriane5

[Salo]

http://www.arianespace.com/mission/ariane-flight-va231/

[Salo]

Пошла трансляция.

[Salo]

http://spaceflightnow.com/2016/10/04/va231-mission-status-center/

23:15
Minus-15 minutes. The Synchronized Sequence is being prepped for activation. This computer-run sequence assumes control of the countdown at the Minus-7 minute mark to perform the final tasks to place the rocket and pad systems in launch configuration.
At Minus-4 seconds, the rocket's onboard computer will take over control of main engine start, health checks of the powerplant and solid rocket booster ignition commanding for liftoff.

23:14
Minus-16 minutes. Today's launch will deliver the Sky Muster 2 and GSAT 18 communications satellites to an orbit targeting a planned high point of 22,236 miles, a targeted low point of 155 miles and an inclination of 6 degrees.
The satellites were built by Space Systems/Loral and the Indian Space Research Organization Satellite Center, respectively, and will use their on-board engines to raise their orbits to maintain altitude nearly 22,300 miles over the equator.
The Sky Muster 2 telecom satellite, occupying the upper position in the Ariane 5's dual-payload stack, is the second spacecraft to launch for Australia's National Broadband Network, or nbn, to beam high-speed Internet services to remote and rural parts of the country. The 14,120-pound satellite will join a nearly identical spacecraft launched on an Ariane 5 flight last year in support of the broadband network, which is owned and financed by the Australian government.
Intelsat 33e will separate from the Ariane 5's second stage at T+plus 28 minutes, 26 seconds.
A Sylda 5 adapter will be discarded a few minutes later, revealing the 7,504-pound GSAT 18 spacecraft, the mission's other satellite passenger.
GSAT 18 will broadcast video programming, relay voice signals, and support data networks for commercial and government telecom services in India. Separation of the GSAT 18 spacecraft from the Ariane 5 rocket is scheduled at T+plus 32 minutes, 33 seconds.

The payloads have a combined mass of approximately 23,507 pounds, or 10,663 kilograms, including the barrel-shaped Sylda dual-payload adapter.
Sign up to follow us on Twitter for the latest launch updates and space news.

22:56
Minus-35 minutes. All parameters continue to look good for launch in 35 minutes. A communications check between ground stations and the rocket has concluded.
Some statistics on today's flight:

[/li]
• 232nd launch of an Ariane rocket since 1979
  
• 280th Arianespace mission
  
• 88th launch of an Ariane 5 rocket since 1996
  
• 58th launch of an Ariane 5 ECA rocket since 2002
  
• 63rd flight of a Vulcan 2 engine
  
• 190th flight of an HM7B engine
  
• 76th Ariane 5 launch targeting GTO
  
• 2nd nbn satellite launched by Arianespace
  
• 59th Space Systems/Loral satellite launched by Arianespace
  
• 20th ISRO satellite launched by Arianespace
  
• 8th launch from the Guiana Space Center in 2016
  
• 5th Ariane 5 launch in 2016
  

[Salo]

Улетела!:)

[Salo]

Есть отделение ТТУ!

[Pirat5]

боковые отделились!

[Salo]

23:32  Liftoff
Liftoff of an Ariane 5 rocket carrying Sky Muster 2 and GSAT 18, communications satellites destined to better connect remote Australians and Indians.


23:29  Minus-60 seconds
A fast-paced series of events leading to launch will begin at Minus-37 seconds when the automated ignition sequence is started. The water suppression system at the launch pad will start at Minus-30 seconds. At Minus-22 seconds, overall control will be given to the onboard computer. The Vulcain main engine will be readied for ignition with hydrogen chilldown starting at Minus-18 seconds.
The residual hydrogen burn flares will fire beneath the Vulcain engine at Minus-5.5 seconds to burn away any free hydrogen gas. At Minus-4 seconds, onboard systems take over and the two inertial guidance systems go to flight mode. Vulcain main engine ignition occurs at Minus-0 seconds with checkout between Plus+4 and 7 seconds. If there are no problems found, the solid rocket boosters are ignited at Plus+7.0 seconds for liftoff at Plus+7.3 seconds.

23:28  Minus-2 minutes
The Vulcain main engine supply valves are being opened. And the ground valves for engine chilldown are being closed.

23:28  Minus-3 minutes
The scheduled launch time has been loaded into the rocket's main computer system. The main stage tank pressures should now be at flight level.

23:27
Minus-4 minutes. Pressurization is now underway for the main cryogenic stage's liquid oxygen and hydrogen tanks. Also, final pyrotechnic arming is starting.

23:25
Minus-5 minutes. All status panel lights remain green, indicating no problems right now that could prevent blastoff at 2030 GMT.

23:24
Minus-6 minutes. Liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen supplies of the main cryogenic stage are being verified at flight level. Also, the pyrotechnic line safety barriers are being armed.

23:24
Minus-7 minutes and counting. The synchronized sequence has started. Computers are now in control of this automated final phase of the launch countdown to prepare the rocket and ground systems for liftoff. There are three computers running the countdown - one aboard the Ariane 5 and two redundant computers at the launch complex.
The launch time is set for 2030:00 GMT (4:30:00 p.m. EDT; 5:30 p.m. French Guiana time). Liftoff actually occurs even seconds later with ignition of the solid rocket boosters.

23:22
Minus-8 minutes. The last weather briefing before the countdown enters the synchronized launch sequence indicates all parameters are acceptable for liftoff at 2030 GMT (4:30 p.m. EDT).

[Salo]

23:36
Plus+5 minutes, 10 seconds. Altitude is 152 km, downrange distance is 492 km and velocity is 3.19 km/s.

23:34
Plus+3 minutes, 30 seconds. Separation of the rocket's nose cone has been confirmed. The Ariane 5 core stage will continue burning until about Plus+9 minutes into the mission.

23:33
The solid rocket boosters have been jettisoned from the Ariane 5 rocket's core stage after consuming approximately 480 metric tons of propellant. The liquid-fueled Vulcain 2 main engine continues to fire to propel the vehicle and its satellite payload to space.

23:33
The vehicle is on the proper heading as it rides the power of the twin solid rocket boosters and main stage liquid-fueled engine.

[Salo]

Есть отделение орбитального блока!