Nilesat 201, Rascom-QAF 1R = Ariane 5ECA V196 – FRGUI – 04.08.10 20:59 UTC

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http://www.arianespace.com/news-mission-update/2010/694.asp

June 11, 2010 – Ariane Flight V196 & V197

Three Ariane 5 launch vehicles are now at the Spaceport in French Guiana as Arianespace ramps up the 2010 mission pace with its heavy-lift workhorse.

The launcher for Arianespace's next mission currently is in the Spaceport's Final Assembly Building, where it is awaiting the integration of its Arabsat-5A and COMS dual-satellite payload.  This flight is scheduled for June 23, and will mark the second flight of an Ariane 5 in 2010.

Arianespace's third Ariane 5 for liftoff in 2010 is beginning to take shape in the Launcher Integration Building at the Spaceport.  Its build-up process began on June 8 with the erection of Ariane 5's core cryogenic stage, which subsequently will be fitted with the two solid propellant boosters and upper composite – which consists of the cryogenic upper stage and equipment bay.  This Ariane 5 will orbit the RASCOM-QAF 1R and NILESAT 201 telecommunications payloads.

Components for the fourth Ariane 5 to be operated by Arianespace in 2010 were delivered to the Spaceport this earlier week after completing their trans-Atlantic voyage from Europe.  This launcher was brought to French Guiana aboard the MN Colibri, which is one of two sea-going vessels used by Arianespace to transport its Ariane launch vehicles from Europe to South America.

Arianespace is targeting a total of six to seven Ariane 5 missions in 2010, providing the payload lift capability to meet its growing order book.

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A convoy arrives at the Spaceport with components for the fourth Ariane 5 to be operated by Arianespace in 2010 (photo at left). In the photo at right, the core cryogenic stage for the no. 3 Ariane 5 to be launched this year is readied for its build-up process in the Spaceport's Launcher Integration Building.

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http://www.arianespace.com/news-mission-update/2010/695.asp

The third Ariane 5 for launch in 2010 completes its basic assembly

June 18, 2010 – Ariane Flight V196

Initial assembly of the third Ariane 5 to be launched in 2010 has been completed at the Spaceport as its ESC-A upper stage and vehicle equipment bay are now installed atop the vehicle's cryogenic core stage.

Build-up of the heavy-lift Ariane 5 was performed in the Spaceport's Launcher Integration Building.  It is now being readied for transfer to the Final Assembly Building, which currently is occupied by an Ariane 5 scheduled for liftoff next Wednesday with the Arabsat-5A and COMS passengers on Arianespace's second flight of 2010.

For the year's third mission of 2010, this latest Ariane 5 is to carry the RASCOM-QAF 1R and NILESAT 201 telecommunications payloads.

Arianespace is targeting a total of six-to-seven Ariane 5 missions this year, maintaining a sustained flight rate for the workhorse launch vehicle.

The first launch of 2010 occurred on May 21, orbiting the ASTRA 3B and COMSATBw-2 satellites on Ariane 5's milestone 50th mission.

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

Aug. 3     Ariane 5  •  Rascom-QAF 1R & Nilesat 201
Launch window: TBD
Launch site: ELA-3, Kourou, French Guiana

Arianespace Flight 196 will use an Ariane 5 rocket with a cryogenic upper stage to launch the Rascom-QAF 1R communications satellite to serve Africa and Egypt's COMS 1 satellite to provide direct broadcasting television programming to the Middle East. Delayed from late July. [June 26]

http://www.thalesgroup.com/Pages/PressRelease.aspx?id=13194

Two Thales Alenia Space communications satellites arrive at launch site

30 June 2010

Nilesat-201 and RASCOM-QAF1R start launch preparations in Kourou

Cannes, June 30, 2010 – The Nilesat-201 and RASCOM-QAF1R satellites, built by Thales Alenia Space as prime contractor for Nilesat and RascomStar-QAF, respectively, have arrived at the Guiana Space Center in Kourou, French Guiana, for final preparations leading up to an Ariane 5 launch this summer.

Nilesat-201 will enable the Egyptian satellite operator Nilesat to deliver digital Direct to Home (DTH) TV and radio broadcasting and high-speed data transmission services to North Africa and the Middle East starting in September 2010.

Built on a Spacebus 4000B2 platform, Nilesat-201 is fitted with 24 Ku-band and 4 Ka-band transponders. It will be positioned at 7 degrees West longitude  and offers a design life of 15 years. Weight at launch will be about 3,200 kg, and it will generate 5.9 kW of power at end-of-life.

RASCOM-QAF1R will ensure service continuity for the operator RascomStar-QAF and its customers, by giving Africa access to advanced communications and information technologies, in particular rural telephony.

Based on the Spacebus 4000B3 platform, the RASCOM-QAF1R satellite Is equipped with 24 equivalent 36 MHz transponders in both Ku-band and C-band. It will weigh about 3,050 kg at launch, and provide 6.4 kW of power at end-of-life. Positioned at 2.9 degrees East longitude, RASCOM-QAF1R will cover the African continent, as well as parts of Europe and the Middle East.

http://www.arianespace.com/news-mission-update/2010/706.asp

July 1, 2010 – Ariane Flight V196


An Antonov An-124 cargo aircraft delivered the Nilesat-201 and RASCOM-QAF1R satellites to Cayenne's Rochambeau International Airport.

The two payloads for Arianespace's next Ariane 5 mission are now at the Spaceport following their dual delivery to French Guiana this week.

A chartered An-124 cargo jetliner arrived at Cayenne's Rochambeau International Airport with the Nilesat-201 and RASCOM-QAF1R spacecraft, both of which were built by Thales Alenia Space as prime contractor for their respective customers: Nilesat and RascomStar-QAF.

The two satellites were transferred by road from the airport to the Spaceport, where they will begin their pre-launch checkout for a scheduled August 3 liftoff.

Nilesat-201 will enable the Egyptian satellite operator Nilesat to deliver digital Direct-to-Home (DTH) TV and radio broadcasting, along with high-speed data transmission services, to North Africa and the Middle East.

Utilizing a Spacebus 4000B2 platform, this relay platform is equipped with 24 Ku-band and 4 Ka-band transponders. Its launch mass will be approximately 3,200 kg., and after its deployment by Ariane 5, the satellite will be positioned at an orbital slot of 7 degrees West longitude for a 15-year design operating lifetime.

The RASCOM-QAF1R spacecraft will ensure service continuity for the RascomStar-QAF operator and its customers, providing African access to advanced communications and information technologies – in particular rural telephony.

RASCOM-QAF1R is based on the Spacebus 4000B3 platform, and is equipped with 24 equivalent 36 MHz transponders in both Ku-band and C-band.  Weighing an estimated 3,050 kg. at launch, RASCOM-QAF1R will cover the African continent, as well as parts of Europe and the Middle East, from an orbital slot of 2.9 degrees East longitude.

The August 3 mission will be Ariane 5's third flight of 2010.  It follows the June 26 mission that orbited the Arabsat-5A and COMS satellites, and the May 21 launch with ASTRA 3B and COMSATBw-2.

http://www.arianespace.com/news-mission-update/2010/707.asp

Pre-launch processing is underway with the two payloads for Ariane 5's upcoming launch


Both Thales Alenia Space-built satellites for Ariane 5's next mission are shown during initial processing inside the S5B integration hall of the Spaceport's S5 payload preparation facility. In the foreground is RASCOM-QAF1R, while Nilesat-201 is visible in the background.

July 7, 2010 – Ariane Flight V196

The Nilesat-201 and RASCOM-QAF1R satellite passengers for Arianespace's third heavy-lift Ariane 5 ECA launch of 2010 have begun final checkout in preparation for their planned August 3 liftoff from the Spaceport in French Guiana.

These spacecraft have completed the fit-check milestones, which validate the compatibility with adapters that serve as their interface for the Ariane 5's dual-payload "stack."  

The two satellites were produced by Thales Alenia Space, and the fit-check activity was performed with both spacecraft inside the S5B integration hall of the Spaceport's large S5 payload preparation facility.
 

   
The RASCOM-QAF1R satellite is moved into position over the cone-shaped adapter during its fit-check process. Based on the Spacebus 4000B3 platform, this satellite carries 24 equivalent 36-MHz transponders in both Ku-band and C-band, and will provide Africa with access to advanced communications and information technologies – in particular rural telephony – from an orbital slot of 2.9 degrees East longitude. It will be operated by RascomStar-QAF, offering coverage for the African continent, along with parts of Europe and the Middle East.

Nilesat-201 is raised for the transfer to its interface adapter in the fit-check validation procedure.  This satellite was built with a Spacebus 4000B2 platform, and is equipped with 24 Ku-band and 4 Ka-band transponders.  Egyptian satellite operator Nilesat will utilize the relay platform to deliver digital Direct-to-Home (DTH) TV and radio broadcasting, along with high-speed data transmission services, to North Africa and the Middle East.  Nilesat-201 is to be located at an orbital position of 7 degrees West longitude.

http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=21970.msg615987#msg615987

Planned launch time 20:45 UTC according to http://www.cnes-csg.fr/web/CNES-CSG-fr/5422-prochain-vol-.php

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

Next mission – Ariane Flight V196
Launch date: August 4, 2010
Payload(s): RASCOM-QAF 1R & NILESAT 201

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http://www.arianespace.com/images/launch-kits/launch-kit-pdf-eng/NILESAT201-RASCOM-GB.pdf

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http://www.arianespace.com/news-mission-update/2010/708.asp

July 26, 2010 – Ariane Flight V196


Final integration of NILESAT 201 and RASCOM-QAF1R on Ariane 5 will take place inside the Spaceport's Final Assembly Building.

The Ariane 5 for Arianespace's third mission in 2010 is ready to enter the final launch preparation phase, during which this heavy-lift vehicle will receive its dual-satellite payload.

Scheduled for liftoff from the Spaceport on August 4, this Ariane 5 ECA will carry a pair of Thales Alenia Space-produced spacecraft: NILESAT 201 and RASCOM-QAF1R. Both satellites have been undergoing processing following their June arrival in French Guiana.


Propellant loading of NILESAT 201 was performed at the Spaceport earlier this month, readying this satellite for integration with its Ariane 5 ECA launcher.

The upcoming mission is designated V196, signifying the 196th launch of an Ariane family vehicle.  The Ariane 5 for this flight was delivered to Arianespace earlier this month by EADS Astrium, which is the heavy-lift vehicle's industrial prime contractor.  Astrium performed the Ariane 5's build-up in the Spaceport's Launcher Integration Building, and then transferred it to the Final Assembly Building, where it was received by Arianespace.

Riding as the flight's upper passenger for the August 4 mission, NILESAT 201 will be deployed first in the launch sequence – to ultimately be positioned at an orbital slot of 7 degrees West longitude.

The satellite will deliver digital Direct-to-Home (DTH) TV and radio broadcasting – along with high-speed data transmission services – to North Africa and the Middle East at the service of Egyptian satellite operator Nilesat. Utilizing a Spacebus 4000B2 platform, this relay platform is equipped with 24 Ku-band and 4 Ka-band transponders. NILESAT 201 will weigh nearly 3,200 kg. at launch.

NILESAT 201 is to be installed atop the Ariane 5 SYLDA dual-payload dispenser system, positioning it over this mission's lower passenger, RASCOM-QAF1R.

With a launch mass of approximately 3,000 kg., RASCOM-QAF1R will cover the African continent, as well as parts of Europe and the Middle East, from an orbital slot of 2.85 degrees East. It is based on the Spacebus 4000B3 platform, and is equipped with 12 Ku-band and 8 C-band transponders.  

This spacecraft will ensure service continuity for the RascomStar-QAF operator and its customers, providing African access to advanced communications and information technologies – in particular rural telephony.

[Salo]

http://www.arianespace.com/news-mission-update/2010/710.asp

Ariane 5 is cleared for its launch with NILESAT 201 and RASCOM-QAF1R

August 2, 2010 – Ariane Flight V196

Arianespace's third heavy-lift flight of 2010 has been authorized for its August 4 liftoff following today's launch readiness review at the Spaceport in French Guiana.

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

This go-ahead also clears Ariane 5 for its roll-out tomorrow from the Final Assembly Building to the ELA-3 launch zone, where it will be readied for Wednesday's liftoff during a 109-minute launch window that opens at 5:45 p.m. local time in French Guiana.

The mission's authorization follows final integration of the Ariane 5's two Thales Alenia Space-produced payloads – NILESAT 201 and RASCOM-QAF1R – which was completed last week at the Spaceport.

Encapsulated in an ogive-shaped protective fairing, NILESAT 201 is mated atop the Ariane 5 SYLDA dual-payload dispenser system and positioned as the launch vehicle's upper passenger.

To be deployed first during the flight sequence, NILESAT 201 will deliver digital Direct-to-Home (DTH) TV and radio broadcasting – along with high-speed data transmission services – to North Africa and the Middle East at the service of Egyptian satellite operator Nilesat. It will be positioned at an orbital slot of 7 deg. West.

Located below it in the launcher payload "stack" is the mission's lower passenger, RASCOM-QAF1R, which is installed atop the heavy-lift vehicle's core stage. From an orbital slot of 2.85 deg. East, RASCOM-QAF1R will ensure service continuity for the RascomStar-QAF operator and its customers, providing African access to advanced communications and information technologies – in particular rural telephony.

Ariane 5 will have a total lift performance of approximately 7,085 kg., which includes 6,250 kg. for the NILESAT 201 and RASCOM-QAF1R spacecraft, plus associated launcher integration hardware and the SYLDA dual-payload dispenser system.

From liftoff to the deployment of Ariane 5's two passengers, the flight is to have a duration of approximately 33 minutes.  It will be the 196th mission of an Ariane family vehicle, and the 52nd for Ariane 5.




This photo series shows final payload integration activity for Arianespace's third flight of 2010, which led to today's successful launch readiness review at the Spaceport. In the photo at left, RASCOM-QAF1R is lowered for its installation on Ariane 5's core stage. At center, the payload fairing containing NILESAT 201 is ready for its integration. At right is a close-up photo of RASCOM-QAF1R as it is ready to be covered by the launcher's upper payload "stack" component.

[Salo]

http://www.arianespace.com/news-mission-update/2010/711.asp

Ready for liftoff: Ariane 5 rolls out to the launch zone for its dual-payload flight

August 3, 2010

Ariane 5 nears completion of its transfer as the heavy-lift vehicle moves into the Spaceport's ELA-3 launch zone.

The workhorse Ariane 5 for tomorrow's evening mission from French Guiana is now poised for liftoff following its rollout to the Spaceport's ELA-3 launch zone.

The heavy-lift vehicle was transferred to the launch pad this morning under sunny skies, emerging at 11:00 a.m. local time from the Final Assembly Building – where the Ariane 5 ECA version had been fitted with a pair of Thales Alenia Space-produced satellite payloads: NILESAT 201 and RASCOM-QAF1R.

This step clears the way for final preparations and the countdown to liftoff, which will take place during a 109-minute launch window that opens at 5:45 p.m. local time in French Guiana on August 4.

Riding as the upper passenger in Ariane 5's payload "stack" is NILESAT 201, which will be released at just under 29 minutes into the flight.  Utilizing a Spacebus 4000B2 platform, this relay platform for Egyptian operator Nilesat features 24 Ku-band and 4 Ka-band transponders, and will weigh approximately 3,200 kg. at launch.

RASCOM-QAF1R – which has a liftoff mass of about 3,050 kg. – will be deployed from Ariane 5's lower passenger position at approximately 33 minutes into the flight.  This spacecraft will ensure service continuity for the RascomStar-QAF operator and its customers, providing African access to advanced communications and information technologies. It is based on the Spacebus 4000B3 platform, and is equipped with 12 Ku-band and 8 C-band transponders.  

Tomorrow's mission is designated V196, signifying the 196th launch of an Ariane family vehicle since 1979.

The August 4 mission also will be Ariane 5's third flight of 2010, which follows two previous dual-payload launches: the June 26 mission that orbited the Arabsat-5A and COMS spacecraft, and the May 21 launch with ASTRA 3B and COMSATBw-2.

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Ready for liftoff: Ariane 5 rolls out to the launch zone for its dual-payload flight

The workhorse Ariane 5 for tomorrow's evening mission from French Guiana is now poised for liftoff following its rollout to the Spaceport's ELA-3 launch zone.

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Видеотрансляция:
http://www.videocorner.tv/videocorner2/live_flv/index.php?langue=en
http://www.videocorner.tv/videocorner2/live_flv/index_fr.php?langue=fr

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Десять минут до старта.

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Отбой на 7 минутах.

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Перезапустили  отсчёт на 7 минутах. :wink:

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Улетела! :wink:

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Есть отделение ТТУ.

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Сброс ГО.

[Брабонт]

Оба спутника отделены успешно. Большой день для африканских стран.

[Salo]

http://www.arianespace.com/news-mission-update/2010/714.asp

August 4, 2010 – Ariane Flight V196

Arianespace performed its third Ariane 5 flight of 2010 today to orbit another dual-satellite payload and also announced two new contracts – further underscoring the company's leadership role in the commercial launch services sector.


Ariane 5's mission with NILESAT 201 and RASCOM-QAF1R was performed from the Spaceport's ELA-3 launch zone.

The Ariane 5's evening mission from the Spaceport successfully orbited two satellites that will provide telecommunications services to Africa, the Middle East and Persian Gulf states: NILESAT 201 for Egyptian-based Nilesat, and RASCOM-QAF1R for the Pan-African satellite operator, RascomStar-QAF. Both spacecraft were built by Thales Alenia Space.

"This was the 38th consecutive launch success for Ariane 5," said Arianespace Chairman & CEO Jean-Yves Le Gall in comments after the flight. "Since the start of 2010, we already have launched six large telecommunications satellites – which, I want to underscore – is more than all our competitors combined."

Le Gall also detailed the company's two new launch contracts: GSAT 10 for the Indian Space Research Organization and Intelsat-20 for Intelsat. They further strengthen Arianespace's order book, bringing to 32 the number of satellites on backlog to be launched by the company, along with six Automated Transfer Vehicles for servicing of the International Space Station. This volume will cover 22 launches of the Ariane 5, along with 17 flights for Soyuz.

During today's mission, the heavy-lift Ariane 5 delivered an estimated total payload lift performance of 7,085 kg., which included 6,250 kg. for the NILESAT 201 and RASCOM-QAF1R satellites, plus their integration hardware and the SYLDA 5 dual-payload dispenser system.

Ariane 5 confirms its accuracy with an on-target delivery

Following its daytime liftoff from the Spaceport, the Ariane 5 provided another highly accurate payload delivery, with the following provisional orbital parameters for the injection of its cryogenic upper stage:
- Perigee: 248.4 km. for a target of 248.4 km.
- Apogee: 35,923 km. for a target of 35,919 km.
- Inclination: 2.00 deg. for a target of 2.00 deg.

NILESAT 201 was released first in the flight sequence, being deployed from the top of Ariane 5's payload "stack" at just under 29 minutes into the mission. With a liftoff mass of about 3,200-kg., the satellite carries 24 Ku-band and 4 Ka-band transponders, and is to be positioned at an orbital slot of 7 deg. West. It will provide direct television broadcasting for the Middle East, Africa and Gulf states, and also has the relay capability to open new markets such as broadband Internet access.

Le Gall noted that NILESAT 201 is the third spacecraft orbited by Arianespace for Nilesat. "After the launch of NILESAT 101 in 1998 and Nilesat 102 in 2000, we are extremely proud to mark a new step in our partnership this evening," he said.


Today's daytime liftoff was the 196th flight of an Ariane family vehicle from the Spaceport in French Guiana, and the 52nd mission for Ariane 5.

RASCOM-QAF1R was the second payload that Arianespace has launched for RASCOM (the Regional African Satellite Communications Organization), which was created in the 1990s to implement, operate and maintain the space segment of an African telecommunications satellite system.

The RASCOM-QAF1R platform weighed approximately 3,050 kg. at liftoff and is to be operated from an orbital position of 2.85 degrees East. It is designed to deliver communications services to rural parts of Africa, including long-distance domestic and international links, direct TV broadcasts and Internet access.

"With this new satellite, the African continent – along with portions of Europe and the Middle East – will receive innovative services, which are fundamental for the rapid development of telecommunications in these regions of the world," Le Gall stated.

In his post-launch comments, Le Gall also pointed out that Arianespace has orbited almost two-thirds of the satellites built by Thales Alenia Space, underscoring the close links between the two companies.

He concluded today's launch activity with details on Arianespace's next heavy-lift Ariane 5 mission, which is scheduled for liftoff on September 15 with Eutelsat's W3B telecommunications satellite and the BSAT-3b relay platform for B-SAT Corporation.

Le Gall noted that Arianespace is maintaining its sustained mission rate in 2010, with a total of six Ariane 5 flights planned for the year. In addition, preparations continue for the upcoming introductions of Soyuz and Vega at the Spaceport.