Launch News Flight VA234: Ariane 5 to Launch Star One D1, JCSAT-15 on December 21, 2016

[Nicholas Kang]

Official Mission Page: http://www.arianespace.com/mission/ariane-flight-va234/

Launch Kit:http://www.arianespace.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/VA234_Launch-kit_FINAL_EN.pdf

Latest Mission Updates:http://www.arianespace.com/mission-update/final-integration-ariane-5-va234-launch/

Ariane 5 is ready to receive its two payloads for the seventh Arianespace heavy-lift launch of 2016​

Final integration begins today for Arianespace’s year-ending Ariane 5 mission as the Star One D1 and JCSAT-15 satellites are installed on the heavy-lift launcher for its December 21 liftoff from the Spaceport in French Guiana.

Mission Overview:

Launch vehicle|Ariane 5 ECA
Launch date|December 21, 2016
Status|Upcoming
Payload(s)|JCSAT-15, Star One D1
Customer(s)|Embratel Star One, SKY Perfect JSAT Corporation
Prime contractor(s)|SSL
Launch site|Spaceport, French Guiana (Guiana Space Center)
Orbit|Geostationary transfer orbit (GTO)

Press Release:http://www.arianespace.com/press-re...ear-to-orbit-satellites-for-brazil-and-japan/

For its 11th launch of the year, and the seventh with an Ariane 5 from the Guiana Space Center in French Guiana during 2016, Arianespace will orbit two satellites: Star One D1 for the private operator Embratel Star One, and JCSAT-15 for Sky Perfect JSAT Corporation.

For the second time this year, Arianespace will orbit two Space Systems Loral-built satellites (SSL) on the same Ariane 5 launcher.

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 Monday, December 19, 2016 in Kourou, to authorize the start of operations for the final countdown.

Global Launch Time:

Kourou|Between 05:30 p.m. and 06:45 p.m.
Washington, D.C.|Between 03:30 p.m. and 04:45 p.m.
Universal Time (UTC)|Between 20:30. and 21:45
Paris|Between 09:30 p.m. and 10:45 a.m.

Payloads:

Star One D1 satellite

Star One D1 will be the 11th satellite orbited by Arianespace for the private operator Embratel Star One. Its latest launch for this operator was with the Star One C4 satellite in July 2015.

Embratel Star One is the largest satellite operator in Latin America. Arianespace and Embratel Star One have been working together successfully for some 30 years, and Arianespace has launched all of Embratel Star One’s satellites.

Star One D1 is the initial fourth-generation satellite to be deployed by this operator. It will handle different missions, including broadcasting, broadband, Internet access and other digital applications. Star One D1 also is the largest satellite built to date for Embratel Star One.

Fitted with 70 active transponders in Ka-, C- and Ku-band, Star One D1 will be positioned at 84 degrees West. It will cover Brazil, Latin America, Central America, Mexico and the Caribbean.

Star One D1 was built by SSL (Space Systems Loral) using an SSL 1300 platform, in Palo Alto, California. It will be the 60th SSL satellite launched by Arianespace.

JCSAT-15 satellite

JCSAT-15 will be the 18th Sky Perfect JSAT satellite assigned to Arianespace for launch. The most recent Arianespace launch for this operator was with JCSAT-13 in May 2012.

SKY Perfect JSAT Corporation is a leader in the converging fields of broadcasting and communications. It is Asia’s largest satellite operator with a fleet of 17 satellites. Sky Perfect JSAT is a provider of both multi-channel pay TV broadcasting and satellite communications services.

SKY Perfect JSAT delivers a broad range of entertainment through the SKY PerfecTV! platform, the most extensive in Japan with a total of 3 million subscribers.

JCSAT-15 will offer a range of communications services for Japan, including broadcasting, data transfer, and maritime and aeronautical applications for the Oceania and Indian Ocean region.

Located at 110 degrees East longitude, it will replace the N-SAT-110 satellite launched in 2000 by Arianespace.

JCSAT-15 was built by SSL (Space Systems Loral) using an SSL 1300 platform, in Palo Alto, California. It will be the 61st SSL satellite to be launched by Arianespace.

The rocket:

Flight Profile:

Flight Events:

Time :Events
T-11H 43MN :Start of final countdown
T-10H 33MN :Check of electrical systems
T-04H 23MN :Start of filling of EPC with liquid oxygen and hydrogen
T-03H 43MN :Start of filling of ESC-A with liquid oxygen and hydrogen
T-03H 33MN :Chilldown of Vulcain main stage engine
T-01H 15MN :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 :Tanks pressurized for flight
T-00H 1MN :Switch to onboard power mode
T-00H 5S :Opening command for the cryogenic arms
T-00H 4S :Onboard systems take over
LIFTOFF! :00:00
T+00H 13S :End of vertical climb, beginning of pitch motion
T+00H 17S :Beginning of roll maneuver
T+00H 2MN 22S :EAP separation
T+00H 3MN 15S :Fairing jettisoned
T+00H 8MN 14S :Acquisition by Natal tracking station
T+00H 8MN 53S :End of EPC thrust phase
T+00H 8MN 58S :EPC separation
T+00H 9MN 3S :Ignition of ESC-A stage
T+00H 13MN 49S :Acquisition by Ascension tracking station
T+00H 18MN 23S ata acquisition by Libreville tracking station
T+00H 23MN 5S :Acquisition by Malindi tracking station
T+00H 25MN 23S :Injection
T+00H 29MN 10S :Star One D1 satellite separation
T+00H 31MN 58S :SYLDA separation
T+00H 43MN 26S :JCSAT-15 satellite separation
T+00H 59MN 2S :End of the Arianespace commercial mission
T+01H 15MN 2S :End of the Arianespace mission

Gallery:

Nov. 4, 2016. JCSAT-15 is unloaded following its arrival in French Guiana via cargo jetliner.

Nov. 18, 2016. Star One D1 arrives aboard an An-124 cargo jetliner for Arianespace’s December Ariane 5 launch.

Dec. 14, 2016. Star One D1 is encapsulated in Ariane 5’s payload fairing.

Dec. 14, 2016. JCSAT-15 is processed in preparation for its installation atop Ariane 5.

 

[mike-c]

VA 234 live

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