astra 2f become launch arianespace v209

[solly]

July 24, 2012 – Ariane Flight VA209
The Ariane 5 for Arianespace’s fifth heavy-lift mission of this year is beginning to take shape at the Spaceport as initial build-up procedures involving the workhorse vehicle are performed in French Guiana.

 

[solly]

July 27, 2012 – Ariane Flight VA209
Arianespace’s fifth heavy-lift Ariane 5 for launch in 2012 has completed its initial build-up at the Spaceport in French Guiana, marking a new milestone in preparations for a September mission to orbit the Astra 2F and GSAT-10 satellites.
This assembly activity in the Spaceport’s Launcher Integration Building included installation of the ESC-A cryogenic upper stage and vehicle equipment bay as a single unit atop the Ariane 5’s cryogenic core stage.
The mission’s Astra 2F passenger was produced by the Astrium division of EADS for satellite operator SES, and is configured with Ku- and Ka-band transponders to enable the delivery of next-generation broadcast, VSAT and broadband services in Europe, Middle East and Africa.
Also to be orbited by Ariane 5 is the Indian Space Research Organisation’s GSAT-10, which carries Ku- and C-band transponders for relay services, as well as the GAGAN (GPS and GEO augmented navigation) payload.

 

[solly]

August 1, 2012 – Ariane Flight VA209

The shipping container that protected GSAT-10 during its travels from India to French Guiana is removed inside the Spaceport’s S5 payload preparation facility, revealing the spacecraft – which will have a liftoff mass of approximately 3,400 kg. when launched by Ariane 5.

One of the two satellites for Arianespace’s fifth Ariane 5 flight of 2012 is undergoing checkout in French Guiana, as preparations move forward for a dual-passenger heavy-lift mission, scheduled for September from the Spaceport.
India’s GSAT-10 is now in the Spaceport’s S5 payload preparation facility, having been removed from the shipping container that protected this spacecraft during its voyage to French Guiana aboard a chartered An-124 cargo jetliner.
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) built GSAT-10 using its I-3K satellite bus. It is outfitted with Ku-, C-band and extended C-band transponders for relay services, as well as the GAGAN (GPS and GEO augmented navigation) payload for aircraft navigation assistance over Indian airspace and adjoining areas.

 

[solly]

photo of gsat 10

 

[trigger]

Thank you Solly for these updates.

Cheers

 

[solly]

new date launch astra 2f and gsat 10 move to 21 september

 

[solly]

GSAT-10 “spreads its wings” in preparation for Arianespace’s next Ariane 5 launch
India’s GSAT-10 telecommunications satellite – which is one of two passengers for Arianespace’s upcoming Ariane 5 mission in September – has been put through its paces during pre-flight preparations at the Spaceport in French Guiana, including a solar panel deployment test.
This checkout step involves the extension of its multi-segment solar panels, validating the proper operation before they are definitively stowed against the satellite in the final liftoff configuration. The test uses an overhead latticework that helpes support the solar panel's weight – simulating zero gravity conditions of space as the panel opens to its full length.
Performed under the control of GSAT-10 satellite team members, the extension validation was conducted in the S5C high bay area of the Spaceport’s S5 payload preparation center – the largest individual hall in this facility.
GSAT-10 was developed by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), and will meet the growing need for Ku- and C-band transponder capacity. It is to become part of the Indian National Satellite (INSAT) system of geostationary spacecraft – representing one of the largest domestic communications satellite networks in the Asia-Pacific region.
Configured with 12 Ku-band, 12 C-band and 12 extended C-band transponders, GSAT-10 utilizes the I-3K satellite bus developed by ISRO, with a power capability of some six kilowatts and a liftoff mass estimated at 3,400 kg.
Also included on GSAT-10 is the GAGAN (GPS and GEO augmented navigation) payload, which will support the Indian government’s implementation of a satellite-based regional capability to assist aircraft navigation over Indian airspace and in adjoining areas. The initial GAGAN payload was carried aboard the GSAT-8 spacecraft, orbited by Arianespace on an Ariane 5 mission in May 2011.
The upcoming Ariane 5 flight with GSAT-10 and the Astra 2F satellite as its co-passenger is set for September 21 from the Spaceport’s ELA-3 launch complex. This will be Arianespace’s fifth mission from French Guiana with the heavy-lift workhorse in 2012.

 

[solly]

August 16, 2012 – Ariane Flight VA209
Test deployments of the antenna reflectors on India’s GSAT-10 telecommunications satellite have been performed as part of pre-flight preparations for this payload, which is one of two spacecraft on Arianespace’s next Ariane 5 mission from the Spaceport in French Guiana.
GSAT-10’s two reflectors, located on the “east” and “west” side of its rectangular-shaped body, were opened in the S5C high bay area of the Spaceport’s S5 payload preparation center – where the satellite’s solar panels previously were extended during the ongoing checkout process.
Developed by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), GSAT-10 will provide Ku- and C-band relay capacity when it joins the Indian National Satellite (INSAT) system of geostationary spacecraft. The platform is based on ISRO's I-3K satellite bus with a power capability of some six kilowatts, and carries 30 transponders and the GAGAN (GPS and GEO augmented navigation) system.
After its fueling, GSAT-10 will have a liftoff mass of approximately 3,400 kg.

 

[solly]

Watching ASTRA 2F satellite as it is being transported from the truck to the ramp before it will be moved into the aircraft.

 

[Dan Dan]

” Astra 2F has an important mission to ensure fleet continuity at 28.2 degrees East, well ahead of the end of life of the current Astra satellites located at this orbital position,” said Martin Halliwell, CTO of SES. “

so ASTRA 2A/2B are in good shape .....so its off top 19e for ASTRA1N.........ASAP

 

[solly]

what you mean it also replace astra 2a/2b ?

 

[Analoguesat]

2F can replace any of the fleet at 28E - shes a big satellite, so SES can swap out any craft that is ailing slightly, or send 1N to 19E if that one is required there.

 

[solly]

ASTRA 2F touches down in French Guiana for Arianespace's next Ariane 5 dual-passenger mission
August 21, 2012 – Ariane Flight VA209
The second passenger for Arianespace’s upcoming Ariane 5 mission has arrived in French Guiana with today’s delivery of the Astrium-built ASTRA 2F satellite, which will be operated by Luxembourg-based SES.
ASTRA 2F was transported by a chartered An-124 cargo jetliner that landed at Félix Eboué International Airport near the capital city of Cayenne, and was unloaded for transfer by road to the Spaceport.
This powerful six metric ton-class relay platform 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.
Its planned orbital location at 28.2 degrees East is one of SES' 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.
This satellite will be orbited on Arianespace’s September 21 Ariane 5 mission along with India’s GSAT-10 telecommunications spacecraft, which has been undergoing its pre-launch checkout at the Spaceport during the past several weeks. With an estimated liftoff mass of 3,400 kg., GSAT-10 was produced by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) using its I-3K satellite bus.
ISRO has equipped GSAT-10 with Ku-, C-band and extended C-band transponders, and it is to become part of the Indian National Satellite (INSAT) system of geostationary spacecraft. The platform also has the GAGAN (GPS and GEO augmented navigation) payload to support the Indian government’s implementation of a satellite-based regional capability for assisting aircraft navigation over the country’s airspace and in adjoining areas.
Arianespace’s September 21 launch will be the company’s fifth heavy-lift mission in 2012 with its workhorse vehicle, following flights on August 2 carrying the Intelsat 20 and HYLAS 2 satellites (the 50th consecutive launch success for Ariane 5); on July 5 with EchoStar XVII and MSG-3; on May 15 with JCSAT-13 and VINASAT-2; and March 23’s liftoff with the Edoardo Amaldi Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV).

 

[solly]

Payload preparations are in full swing for Arianespace's upcoming Ariane 5 mission in September


August 22, 2012 – Ariane Flight VA209

During activity in the Spaceport's S1B clean room facility, ASTRA 2F is raised to the vertical position for removal from its protective shipping container.

The ASTRA 2F satellite to be orbited on Arianespace’s next Ariane 5 mission is now undergoing pre-flight checkout, joining its GSAT-10 co-passenger at the Spaceport launch site in French Guiana.
Built by the Astrium division of EADS for Luxembourg-based SES, ASTRA 2F was removed from its shipping container in the Spaceport’s S1B clean room, where the relay platform arrived after being delivered to French Guiana yesterday by a chartered cargo jetliner.
ASTRA 2F is a six metric ton-class platform that carries Ku- and Ka-band payloads for the relay of high performance Direct-to-Home (DTH) and next-generation broadband services in Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
It will be lofted by Arianespace’s Ariane 5 mission on September 21 along with GSAT-10, which continues its own preparation activity at the Spaceport. GSAT-10 was produced by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) using the I-3K satellite bus, and has an estimated liftoff mass of 3,400 kg.
This upcoming mission will be the 65th flight of an Ariane 5 from French Guiana, and the fifth so far in 2012 for the workhorse Arianespace heavy-lift launcher.

 

[M60]

I wonder if SES will set up a blog like they did with 1N's launch as things seem to be quiet from there side of things?

AS - perhaps you could enquire if they could put a launch feed up at 28.2E this time?? They certainly have the capacity now.

 

[solly]

August 23, 2012 – Ariane Flights VA209 & VA210
Two Ariane 5 launchers have been positioned at the Spaceport for processing in preparation for Arianespace's upcoming flights from French Guiana, maintaining the company's mission pace in 2012.
During separate activities on the same day, Flight VA209’s Ariane 5 was transferred from the Launcher Integration Building – where its basic assembly was performed – to the Final Assembly Building for installation of this mission’s two commercial relay satellites; while the vehicle for Flight VA210 was brought into the Spaceport after arriving by ship at nearby Pariacabo Port, completing a trans-Atlantic trip from Europe.
These concurrent developments underscore Arianespace’s mission flexibility with Ariane 5 that benefit from the Spaceport’s infrastructure, which is designed to support parallel launch campaigns with this workhorse vehicle.
The Flight VA209 Ariane 5’s transfer to the Final Assembly Building represented a new milestone in preparations for the next mission, as it marked the launcher’s delivery to Arianespace by prime contractor Astrium. Final steps under Arianespace’s responsibility will be installation of the mission’s two payloads – ASTRA 2F and GSAT-10 – followed by the completed vehicle’s rollout to the ELA-3 launch zone, the final countdown and liftoff on September 21.
ASTRA 2F will be operated by Luxembourg-based SES and is configured with Ku- and Ka-band payloads for the relay of high performance Direct-to-Home (DTH) and next-generation broadband services to Europe, the Middle East and Africa. The spacecraft is a six metric ton-class platform based on Astrium’s Eurostar E3000 satellite bus.
The GSAT-10 passenger for Flight VA209 was developed by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) for Ku- and C-band relay services as part of the Indian National Satellite (INSAT) geostationary spacecraft system. With a liftoff mass of approximately 3,400 kg., this satellite is based on ISRO’s I-3K satellite bus.
Arianespace’s mission with GSAT-10 and ASTRA 2F will be the 65th flight of an Ariane 5 from French Guiana, and the 209th liftoff of an Ariane-series vehicle – which results in its VA209 designation (with the “V” representing the French word for “flight,” and the “A” signifying an Ariane member of the company’s commercial launcher family).
Flight VA209’s Ariane 5 transfer to the Final Assembly Building opens up the Spaceport’s Launcher Integration Building for Arianespace’s subsequent mission, with its VA210 vehicle now ready to take shape in this facility.

 

[solly]

ses astra public new footprint of astra 2f beam
uk beam and europe beam and west africa beam

 

[Analoguesat]

The power levels drop off fast towards the south east.

 

[solly]

i belive in rome 1.2m meter can be recive

 

[Analoguesat]

The 2E beams are up as well - and the Middle east beam is bad news for expats!

I'll have all the beams up on the footprint archive in a few minutes