ARIANESPACE FLIGHT - ASTRA 3B & COMSATBw-2: May 21, 2010

[Notebook]

ARIANESPACE FLIGHT - ASTRA 3B & COMSATBw-2
THE LAUNCH READINESS REVIEW (RAL) took place in Kourou on Wednesday, March 24, 2009 and authorized count-down operations for the ASTRA 3B & COMSATBw-2 launch.
For its first launch of the year, Arianespace will orbit two communications satellites: ASTRA 3B for the Luxembourg-based operator SES Astra, and ComsatBw-2 for Astrium as part of a contract with the German Ministry of Defense.
The choice of Arianespace by leading space communications operators and manufacturers is clear international recognition of the company’s excellence in launch services.
It will be launched from the Ariane launch complex N° 3 (ELA3), in Kourou, French Guiana.
THE ARIANE 5 ECA LAUNCHER LIFT-OFF for this flight is scheduled on March 26, 2010 as soon as possible within the following launch window:

From 10:03 p.m. to 10:52 p.m. on March 26, 2010
Universal time (GMT)​

http://www.videocorner.tv/index.htm

Tok a while for the flight readiness review?

N.

 

[orb]

Calendar event for this, with launch timer set for the beginning of launch window was updated with targeted launch date/time.

 

[Notebook]

FLIGHT 194 - ASTRA 3B & COMSATBw-2: LAUNCH DELAYED
Kourou, March 26, 2010 - During final count-down operations for Flight 194 slated for today, an anomaly occurred in a launcher subsystem.
As a result, Arianespace has decided to replace this part, and thus to postpone the launch for a few days.
The launch vehicle and its ASTRA 3B and COMSATBw-2 satellite payloads have been placed in stand-by mode and maintained in fully safe conditions.

​

Oh dear...

N.

 

[orb]

The launch is targeted for today. Launch window extends from 21:59 to 22:48 UTC (5:59-6:48 p.m. EDT).

---------- Post added at 22:28 ---------- Previous post was at 22:05 ----------

Video streams for the launch coverage:

• http://www.videocorner.tv/videocorner2/live_wm/index.php?langue=en
• http://www.videocorner.tv/videocorner2/live_flv/index.php?langue=en

The live coverage of the launch starts at: 21:39 UTC (5:39 p.m EDT) ([eventtimer]2010-04-09 21:39?in |;%c%%h%:%mm%:%ss%[/eventtimer] hours[eventtimer]2010-04-09 21:39?| ago;%c%[/eventtimer])

 

[astrosammy]

Looks like the TV transmission for this launch attempt is only available on 23,5° E... for the first launch attempt there was one on 19,2° E.

The the Arianespace webcast is horrible with my connection, does anyone know an alternative?

 

[Dambuster]

Looks like it's a scrub for tonight.

 

[orb]

Arianespace sets up a Task Force and conducts a Quality Audit.

 

[orb]

Arianespace sets date for next launch after inquiries.

After a month-long review of nagging problems with the Ariane 5 rocket's helium pressurization system, the commercial workhorse is scheduled to return to flight May 21 with two communications satellites, Arianespace's top executive said Wednesday.

...

Liftoff is scheduled for a launch window that opens at 2201 GMT (6:01 p.m. EDT) May 21. The 50th Ariane 5 mission will haul into orbit the ASTRA 3B broadcasting satellite and the German military's COMSATBw 2 communications platform.

 

[Notebook]

Just a reminder:
http://www.videocorner.tv/index.htm

N.

 

[garyw]

Did they ever release the report into what exactly went wrong?

 

[Notebook]

Just a reminder:
http://www.videocorner.tv/index.htm

N.

Live coverage in 10 minutes

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

Live coverage in 10 minutes

The launch window opens at 10:01 PM GMT - which is 11:01 PM BST! Don't worry, the GMT/BST thing always catches me out at least once a year!

 

[astrosammy]

Wow, nearly missed it. Again a cool launch.

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

Wow, nearly missed it. Again a cool launch.

Oops, I *did* miss it! :OMG:

---------- Post added 22nd May 2010 at 12:28 AM ---------- Previous post was 21st May 2010 at 11:17 PM ----------

BBC News: "Ariane 5 rocket makes 50th flight".

---------- Post added at 12:30 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:28 AM ----------

Spaceflight Now: "Ariane 5 breaks five-month hiatus with successful launch".

NASASpaceFlight: "Ariane 5 ECA finally launches with Astra 3B and COMSATBw 2 satellites".