Launch News Ariane 5 with Galileo FOC-M6, SAT 15-16-17-18 Thursday November 17th. 2016

[Nicholas Kang]

Current mission update from Spaceflightnow.com

Galileo navigation satellites mounted atop Ariane 5 for launch next week

An Ariane 5 launcher uniquely modified to loft four of Europe’s Galileo navigation satellites on one flight has received its payload for liftoff next week in French Guiana.

The satellite quartet will boost the size of the Galileo fleet to 18 spacecraft. Officials say 24 satellites are needed for the European navigation network to provide global positioning and timing services independent of U.S. or Russian navigation fleets.

The Galileo satellites will ride aboard a specially-modified version of the Ariane 5 ES with a new dispenser developed by Airbus Defense and Space to accommodate four spacecraft bolted together.

The launcher version designed for Galileo missions also features a shortened nose cone enclosing the satellites, and a lightened Vehicle Equipment Bay structure compared to previous Ariane 5 ES flights, which carried heavy 20-ton Automated Transfer Vehicles on cargo runs to the International Space Station.

Engineers also introduced electrical and thermal modifications to allow the Ariane 5’s upper stage to coast for more than three hours between engine burns, a requirement to inject the Galileo satellites close to their final operational orbits more than 14,000 miles (about 23,000 kilometers) above Earth.

The Ariane 5 ES configuration replaces the Ariane 5’s more commonly-used cryogenic upper stage, powered by a hydrogen-fueled HM7B engine, with an upper stage fitted with a hydrazine-burning Aestus engine. The key difference is the HM7B engine is only designed to fire one time in flight, while the Aestus is capable of multiple starts on the same mission.

Two upper stage burns are necessary for the Nov. 17 launch, but instead of coasting for less than an hour between firings as with previous flights of the Ariane 5 ES variant, the Aestus engine will switch off for more than three hours as the rocket climbs to the 14,000-mile-high altitude of the Galileo fleet for the final injection maneuver.

Each Galileo satellite weighs about 1,580 pounds (717 kilograms) with a full load of fuel, according to a launch information kit released by Arianespace, the Ariane 5’s commercial operator.

Technicians working inside the Guiana Space Center’s final assembly building topped off the 16-story rocket last week with the addition of the four satellites mounted on their dispenser Nov. 2. Workers lowered the rocket’s payload fairing, made in Switzerland by Ruag Space, over the satellites the next day.

The satellites set to go up Nov. 17 are nicknamed Antonianna, Lisa, Kimberley and Tijmen after the winners of a European children’s drawing contest.

Plans call for the Ariane 5 to roll out of the final assembly building for the 1.7-mile (2.7-kilometer) trip to the launch pad Nov. 15, with the final countdown commencing late Nov. 16.

The Ariane 5’s payload fairing (top) is lowered over the four Galileo satellites already fastened to their carrier module on the Ariane 5 upper stage. Credit: ESA/CNES/Arianespace – Photo Optique Video du CSG – JM Guillon

Ariane 5 technicians oversee the attachment of the Galileo satellites and their dispenser on the rocket’s upper stage. Credit: ESA/CNES/Arianespace – Photo Optique Video du CSG – JM Guillon

Credit: ESA/CNES/Arianespace – Photo Optique Video du CSG – JM Guillon

Official Mission Page: http://www.arianespace.com/mission/ariane-flight-va233/

Launch Kit: http://www.arianespace.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/VA233_Launch-kit_EN.pdf

Press release:http://www.arianespace.com/press-release/arianespaces-first-ariane-5-launch-for-galileo-constellation-and-europe/

Overview

Launch Vehicle|Ariane 5 ES
Launch Date|November 17, 2016
Status|Upcoming
Payload(s)|Galileo FOC M6
Customer(s)|European Comission, European Space Agency (ESA)
Prime Contractor(s)|OHB-System, Surrey Satellite Technology, Ltd.
Launch Site|Spaceport, French Guiana (Guiana Space Center)
Orbit|Medium-Earth Orbit

Mission Description

For its ninth launch of the year, and the sixth Ariane 5 liftoff from the Guiana Space Center (CSG) in French Guiana during 2016, Arianespace will orbit four more satellites for the Galileo constellation.

This mission is being performed on behalf of the European Commission under a contract with the European Space Agency (ESA).

For the first time, an Ariane 5 ES version will be used to orbit satellites in Europe’s own satellite navigation system. At the completion of this flight, designated Flight VA233 in Arianespace’s launcher family numbering system, 18 Galileo spacecraft will have been launched by Arianespace.

Arianespace is proud to deploy its entire family of launch vehicles to address Europe’s needs and guarantee its independent access to space.

Galileo, an iconic project for Europe

Galileo is a European initiative to develop a new global satellite navigation system. Under civilian control, it will offer a guaranteed, high-precision positioning service and will end Europe’s dependence on the American GPS system.

The Galileo constellation will comprise a total of 24 operational satellites, along with spares, with 14 already orbited by Arianespace.

Galileo is funded by the European Union. It features innovative technologies developed in Europe for the benefit of all citizens.

Worldwide launch time

Kourou|10:06:48 A.M.
Washington. D.C.|08:06:48 A.M.
Universal Time (UTC)|13:06:48
Paris|02:06:48 P.M.

Payload:Galileo FOC-M6, SAT 15-16-17-18

Galileo is a European initiative to develop a new global satellite navigation system. Under civilian control, it will offer a guaranteed, high-precision positioning service and will end Europe’s dependence on the American GPS system.

The Galileo constellation will comprise a total of 24 operational satellites, along with spares, with 14 already orbited by Arianespace.

Galileo is funded by the European Union. It features innovative technologies developed in Europe for the benefit of all citizens.

Countdown and Flight

Events

T-12H 8MN|Start of final contdown
T-10H 38MN|Check of electrical systems
T-5H 7MN|Start of filing of EPC with liquid oxygen and hydrogen
T-03H 33MN|Chilldown of Vulcan main stage engine
T-01H 10MN|Check of connections between launcher and the telemetry, tracking and command systems
T-00H 7MN|"All systems go" report, allowing start of synchronized sequence
T-00H 4MN|Tank pressurized for flight
T-00H 1MN|Switch to onboard power mode
T-00H 4S|Onboard systems take over
00:00|LIFTOFF
T+00H 12S|End of vertical climb, beginning of pitch motion
T+00H 17S|Beginning of roll maneuver
T+00H 2MN 19S|EAP separation
T+00H 3MN 44S|Fairing jettisoned
T+00H 8MN 56S|End of EPC thrust phase
T+00H 9MN 1S|EPC separation
T+00H 9MN 8S|EPS ignition
T+00H 19MN 57S|Shut down of EPS (first boost) and beginning of the 1st ballistic phase
T+03H 27MN 49S|EPS ignition
T+03H 34MN 7S|Shut down of EPS (second boost) and the beginning of the 2nd ballistic phase
T+03H 35MN 44S|Separation of the first and third Galileo satellites
T+03H 55MN 44S|Separation of the second and fourth Galileo satellites
T+04H 8MN 28S|Start of upper stage passivation
T+04H 40MN 50S|End of the Arianespace mission

Flight profile

Some more photos from the official webpage gallery:

Sep 30, 2016. One of the Ariane 5 ES version’s two solid propellant boosters rolls out for mating to the core stage.

Oct 20, 2016. The fueling of the first Galileo satellites for launch on Ariane 5.

Oct 20, 2016. Fueling operations of the Galileo satellite named “Antonianna” in the Spaceport’s S3B payload processing facility.

Oct 27, 2016. Ariane 5 rolls out to the Spaceport’s Final Assembly Building.

Oct 28, 2016. Two Galileo satellites are installed on their dispenser system, with a third being positioned for its integration.

 

[Nicholas Kang]

Rollout of Ariane 5 with Galileo and Go for Launch!

Countdown clock has started!

[eventtimer]2016-11-17 13:06:48;%d% Days %hh% Hours %mm% Minutes %ss% Seconds[/eventtimer]

[ame="https://twitter.com/Arianespace/status/798643068706529280"]Arianespace on Twitter: "Rollout: #Ariane5 and its #Galileo passengers are in the ELA-3 launch zone and ready for liftoff Thursday morning https://t.co/imMW8sVo2T https://t.co/ddwQftuEnS"[/ame]

[ame="https://twitter.com/arianespaceceo/status/798630326297882624"]Stéphane Israël on Twitter: "Look who showed up in the launch zone today: #Ariane5 rolls out with its #Galileo passengers. Liftoff at 13:06:48 UTC on Thursday! #Europe https://t.co/20Ry76HfA8"[/ame]

Official News (Mission Updates):Ariane 5 arrives at the launch zone for Arianespace’s November 17 mission with four Galileo satellites

The Ariane 5 nears completion of its transfer from the Spaceport’s Final Assembly Building – where this heavy-lift vehicle received the payload of four Galileo satellites – to the ELA-3 launch zone.

Arianespace’s sixth Ariane 5 for liftoff this year has rolled out to the launch zone in French Guiana, clearing the way for the heavy-lift vehicle’s first-ever mission to orbit satellites for Europe’s Galileo navigation system.

The completed Ariane 5 was transferred today atop its mobile launch table from the Final Assembly Building – where payload integration occurred – to the Spaceport’s dedicated ELA-3 launch complex, setting the stage for Arianespace’s ninth overall mission in 2016 across its full family of Ariane 5, Soyuz and Vega vehicles.

Designated Flight VA233 in the company’s numbering system, this upcoming Ariane 5 mission – set for Thursday, November 17 – will lift off at exactly 10:06:48 a.m. local time in French Guiana and deploy its quartet of Galileo spacecraft during a nearly four-hour flight.

A heavy-lift launch for Europe​

Galileo is an important infrastructure program for Europe, creating a civil global satellite navigation system that provides highly-accurate positioning with great precision and reliability.

It is funded by the European Union, with overall responsibility for management and implementation held by the European Commission – while design and development of the new generation of systems and infrastructure has been assigned to the European Space Agency.

In support of the Galileo program, Arianespace is using the Ariane 5 ES version with an enhanced storable propellant upper stage that allows for reignition and long coast phases during the mission.

These upgrades maximize the launcher’s performance for deploying the Galileo spacecraft – which will have a combined mass of 2,865 kg. at liftoff – two at a time into a circular medium-Earth orbit. The satellites were built by OHB System in Bremen, Germany, with UK-based Surrey Satellite Technology Limited (SSTL) supplying their navigation payloads.

For more information:

The European Commission website – Galileo:ec.europa.eu/growth/sectors/space/galileo/

The European Space Agency website – Galileo:www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Navigation/Galileo/What_is_Galileo

OHB System website:https://www.ohb-system.de/

Surrey Satellite Technology Limited website:www.sstl.co.uk/

Also, Arianespace’s first Ariane 5 mission with Galileo satellites is a “go” for launch !

This week’s Arianespace flight with four European Galileo navigation system spacecraft has been approved for a morning liftoff on November 17 following the launch readiness review held today at the Spaceport in French Guiana.

Designated Flight VA233 in Arianespace’s numbering system – the launch will deploy its quartet of Galileo spacecraft during a nearly four-hour flight, with liftoff set at exactly 10:06:48 a.m. local time in French Guiana on Thursday.

Today’s launch readiness review validated the “go” status of the Ariane 5 ES launcher version, its Galileo passengers, as well as the Spaceport’s launch site infrastructure and the network of tracking stations.

The first Ariane 5 mission for Galileo​

As a follow-up to Arianespace’s previous missions that used the medium-lift Soyuz to orbit Galileo satellites in pairs, the heavy-lift Ariane 5 enables four of the global positioning spacecraft to be accommodated on a single launch vehicle.

Arianespace previously deployed 14 Galileo in-orbit validation and full operational capability spacecraft from the Spaceport in French Guiana on seven Soyuz missions, along with performing two other Soyuz flights from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan with the GIOVE-A and GIOVE-B experimental satellites for the Galileo system.

Galileo will offer a guaranteed, high-precision positioning service for Europe under civilian control. Its constellation will comprise 24 operational satellites, along with spares.

Satellites named after European children​

The European Commission funds – and has overall responsibility – for Galileo’s management and implementation, with the European Space Agency assigned design and development of the new generation of systems and infrastructure.

OHB System in Bremen, Germany built the satellites to be orbited by Arianespace’s Flight VA233, and their navigation payloads were supplied by UK-based Surrey Satellite Technology Limited (SSTL), which is 99 percent owned by Airbus Defence and Space.

The four spacecraft carried by Ariane 5 are called Antonianna, Lisa, Kimberley and Tijmen – with their naming for winners of a European children’s drawing contest.

 

[Notebook]

Webcast has started:
http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/N...ng_Galileo/Watch_the_launch_of_Galileos_15_18

 

[GLS]

H0-5 minutes

 

[Nicholas Kang]

21:03

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.

21:03

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

 

[GLS]

H0-2 minutes

 

[Nicholas Kang]

T-1 minute

21:05 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.

 

[GLS]

H0+7 seconds, liftoff!!!

 

[Nicholas Kang]

Ignition T-0 liftoff!

---------- Post added at 09:09 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:07 PM ----------

SRB jettisoned!

 

[GLS]

EAP separation!

 

[Nicholas Kang]

Fairing jettisoned!

 

[GLS]

Fairing separation.

---------- Post added at 01:13 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:11 PM ----------

5m40s
speed: 4Km/s
alt: 137Km

---------- Post added at 01:16 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:13 PM ----------

EPC has done it's job, EPS takes over now.

---------- Post added at 01:20 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:16 PM ----------

13m0s
speed: 8.5Km/s
alt: 380Km

---------- Post added at 01:27 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:20 PM ----------

The first burn of the EPS has finished.

---------- Post added at 04:35 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:27 PM ----------

The second EPS burn is now underway, some 22900Km above the Indian Ocean.

---------- Post added at 04:42 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:35 PM ----------

EPS shutdown, should be in a circular orbit now.

---------- Post added at 04:43 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:42 PM ----------

Sats 15 and 17 have separated!

---------- Post added at 05:04 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:43 PM ----------

Sats 16 and 18 separation! That makes 4 new Galileo satellites in orbit.