orb
New member
- Joined
- Oct 30, 2009
- Messages
- 14,020
- Reaction score
- 4
- Points
- 0
For its fourth launch of the year, and 197th Ariane flight, Arianespace will place into geostationary transfer orbit two communications satellites: W3B for the European operator Eutelsat, and BSAT-3b for the American manufacturer Lockheed Martin Commercial Space Systems, as part of a turnkey contract with Japanese operator Broadcasting Satellite System Corporation (B-SAT).
This will be the 53rd Ariane 5 launch. The launcher will be carrying a total payload of 8,263 kg, including 7,460 kg for the W3B and BSAT-3b satellites, which will be released into their targeted orbits. The launch will be from Ariane Launch Complex No. 3 (ELA 3) in Kourou, French Guiana.
Launch opportunity:
{colsp=6}#1:
Window |
{colsp=6}
There is O-F's calendar event created for this launch, for which you can request a reminder, that will be sent via e-mail on set time before the launch.
Live Coverage Of The Launch::
Payload:
Launch Vehicle:
{colsp=2}Characteristics
|
{colsp=2}
Height| up to 52 m
Diameter| up to 5.4 m
Liftoff mass| 780 tonnes
Payload mass| 9.6 tonnes
The latest version of the Ariane 5 launcher, Ariane 5 ECA, is designed to place payloads weighing up to 9.6 tonnes into GTO. With its increased capacity, Ariane 5 ECA can handle dual launches of very large satellites.
The launcher’s attitude and trajectory are totally controlled by the two onboard computers, located in the Ariane 5 vehicle equipment bay (VEB). 7.05 seconds after ignition of the main stage cryogenic engine at T-0, the two solid-propellant boosters are ignited, enabling liftoff. The launcher first climbs vertically for 6 seconds, then rotates towards the East. It maintains an attitude that ensures the axis of the launcher remains parallel to its velocity vector, in order to minimize aerodynamic loads throughout the entire atmospheric phase, until the solid boosters are jettisoned. Once this first part of the flight is completed, the onboard computers optimize the trajectory in real time, minimizing propellant consumption to bring the launcher first to the intermediate orbit targeted at the end of the main stage propulsion phase, and then the final orbit at the end of the flight of the cryogenic upper stage. The main stage falls back off the coast of Africa in the Atlantic Ocean (in the Gulf of Guinea). On orbital injection, the launcher will have attained a velocity of approximately 9358 meters/second, and will be at an altitude of about 646 kilometers. The fairing protecting the W3B et BSAT-3b spacecraft is jettisoned shortly after the boosters are jettisoned at about T+189 seconds.
Launch Preparations:
Links:
Countdown & Launch Sequence:
T [hh:mm:ss]
|{colsp=3}
Event
–11:30:00|{colsp=3}Start of final countdown
–07:30:00|{colsp=3}Check of electrical systems
–04:50:00|{colsp=3}Start of filling of main cryogenic stage with liquid oxygen and hydrogen
–03:20:00|{colsp=3}Chilldown of Vulcain main stage engine
–01:10:00|{colsp=3}Check of connections between launcher and telemetry, tracking and command systems
–00:07:00|{colsp=3}“All systems go” report, allowing start of synchronized sequence
–00:04:00|{colsp=3}Tanks pressurized for flight
–00:01:00|{colsp=3}Switch to onboard power mode
-00:00:05,5|{colsp=3}Command issued for opening of cryogenic arms
–00:00:04|{colsp=3}Onboard systems take over
–00:00:03|{colsp=3}Unlocking of guidance systems to flight mode
+00:00:00|HO Ignition of the cryogenic main stage engine (EPC)| ALT (km) | V. rel. (m/s)
+00:00:07.05|Ignition of solid boosters|
+00:00:07.3|Liftoff|
+00:00:12.5|End of vertical climb and beginning of pitch rotation (10 seconds duration)|
+00:00:17|Beginning of roll manoeuvre|
+00:02:22|Jettisoning of solid boosters|
+00:03:09|Jettisoning of fairing|
+00:07:31|Acquisition by Natal tracking station|
+00:08:50|Shut-down of main cryogenic stage|
+00:08:56|Separation of main cryogenic stage|
+00:09:00|Ignition of upper cryogenic stage (ESC-A)|
+00:13:22|Acquisition by Ascension tracking station|
+00:18:22|Acquisition by Libreville tracking station|
+00:23:09|Acquisition by Malindi tracking station|
+00:24:47|Shut-down of ESC-A / Injection|
+00:28:11|Separation of W3B satellite|
+00:36:32|Separation of Sylda 5|
+00:37:50|Separation of BSAT-3b satellite|
+00:49:50|End of Arianespace Flight mission|
Injection Orbit:
---------- Post added at 20:50 ---------- Previous post was at 05:51 ----------
Launch window for today's attempt is opening in 3 hours.
A very nice launch kit for Ariane 5 V197 from EADS Astrium:
This will be the 53rd Ariane 5 launch. The launcher will be carrying a total payload of 8,263 kg, including 7,460 kg for the W3B and BSAT-3b satellites, which will be released into their targeted orbits. The launch will be from Ariane Launch Complex No. 3 (ELA 3) in Kourou, French Guiana.
Launch opportunity:
Window |
Universal / UTC
|
Paris / CEST
|
Kourou / GFT
|
Washington / EDT
|
Tokyo / JST
start:
|
21:51
|
23:51
|
18:51
|
5:51 p.m.
|
06:51
end:
|
23:01
|
01:01
|
20:01
|
7:01 p.m.
|
08:01
on:
|
Oct. 28, 2010
|
Oct. 28/29, 2010
|
Oct. 28, 2010
|
Oct. 28, 2010
|
Oct. 29, 2010
{colsp=6}
[highlight]L[eventtimer]2010-10-28 21:51;%c%%ddd%/%hh%:%mm%:%ss%[/eventtimer][/highlight]
There is O-F's calendar event created for this launch, for which you can request a reminder, that will be sent via e-mail on set time before the launch.
Live Coverage Of The Launch::
You can watch the broadcast of the launch live on Arianespace's Videocorner.
The live coverage for the first launch attempt on Videocorner will start 20 minutes before the window opening time, at about 20:30 UTC / 4:30 p.m. EDT - i.e.[eventtimer]2010-10-28 20:30? in| ;%c% %h%:%mm%[/eventtimer] hours[eventtimer]2010-10-28 20:30?.| ago.;%c%[/eventtimer]
You can also watch the launch on TV via satellite (where available), from: HOT BIRD™ (Transponder 155), 13° East, Frequency: 11604 MHz, Horizontal Polarisation, Symbol rate: 27.500 Msps, FEC 5/6, DVB-S, QPSK, MPEG-2, No encryption / Free to air.
The live coverage for the first launch attempt on Videocorner will start 20 minutes before the window opening time, at about 20:30 UTC / 4:30 p.m. EDT - i.e.[eventtimer]2010-10-28 20:30? in| ;%c% %h%:%mm%[/eventtimer] hours[eventtimer]2010-10-28 20:30?.| ago.;%c%[/eventtimer]
You can also watch the launch on TV via satellite (where available), from: HOT BIRD™ (Transponder 155), 13° East, Frequency: 11604 MHz, Horizontal Polarisation, Symbol rate: 27.500 Msps, FEC 5/6, DVB-S, QPSK, MPEG-2, No encryption / Free to air.
Payload:
W3B:
BSAT-3b:
Characteristics|
|
|
The W3B satellite was built by Thales Alenia Space as prime contractor, using a Spacebus 4000 C3 platform. It will weigh 5,370 kg at launch. W3B is equipped with 53 active Ku-band transponders and three Ka-band transponders. Offering a design life of 15 years, it will be located at 16 degrees East to serve broadcasting markets in Central Europe and Indian Ocean islands. It will also initiate a new mission over Africa for data, telecom and broadband services.
BSAT-3b:
BSAT-3b was built by Lockheed Martin Commercial Space Systems at its plant in Newtown, Pennsylvania, using an A2100 A platform. Weighing about 2,060 kg at launch, it will be positioned at 110 degrees East longitude in geostationary orbit, and offers a design life exceeding 15 years. BSAT-3b is fitted with eight 130 Watt Ku-band transponders, and is primarily designed to provide direct TV broadcast links for all of Japan.
W3B
|
BSAT-3b
Customer:
|
- EUTELSAT
- LOCKHEED MARTIN COMMERCIAL SPACE SYSTEMS (USA) for B-SAT Corporation (JAPAN)
Prime contractor:
|
- Thales Alenia Space
- LMCSS
Mission:
|
- Satellite for Direct Television (DTH) broadcasting, telecom, data and broadband services
- Direct to Home television satellite
Mass:
|
- Total mass at lift-off 5 370 kg
- Total mass at lift-off 2 060 kg
- Dry mass 975 kg
Stabilization:
|
- 3 axis stabilized
- 3 axis stabilized
Dimensions:
|
- 5.8 x 2.0 x 2.2 m
- Span in orbit: 34 m
- 3.8 x 1.9 x 1.9 m
- Span in orbit: 14.65 m
Platform:
|
- SPACEBUS 4000 C3
- A2100 A
Payload:
|
- 53 Ku-band transponders and 3 Ka-band transponders
- 12 130-watt Ku band channels, 8 operating at one time
On-board power:
|
- 12 kW (end of life)
- 3 KW (end of life)
Life time:
|
- 15 years
- 15 years
Orbital position:
|
- 16° East
- 110° East
Coverage area:
|
- Europe, Africa, Middle East, Central Asia
- Japan
|
Launch Vehicle:
Ariane 5 ECA
Height| up to 52 m
Diameter| up to 5.4 m
Liftoff mass| 780 tonnes
Payload mass| 9.6 tonnes
- Ariane 5 ECA: new elements
- Ariane 5 ECA is an improved Ariane 5 Generic launcher. Although it has the same general architecture, a number of major changes were made to the basic structure of the Ariane 5 Generic version to increase thrust and enable it to carry heavier payloads into orbit.
- Solid boosters (EAP)
- The EAP boosters’ upper segment of the Ariane 5 ECA (also known as segment S1) carries 10% (2.5 tonnes) more propellant. This extra propellant gives the Ariane 5 ECA an additional 50 tonnes of thrust in the first 20 seconds following liftoff. This means that together the twin boosters deliver a thrust of 1300 tonnes at liftoff, nearly 10 times the level delivered by the new engine of the central stage.
- Main stage (EPC and Vulcain 2 engine)
- An improved version of the Vulcain engine was developed and used on the Ariane 5 ECA version. The Vulcain cryogenic engine was modified to increase its thrust by 20%, up to 137 tonnes. This new Vulcain 2 operates under slightly higher pressure with a mixture ratio that has 20% more liquid oxygen than the Vulcain 1. Because of this change in the mixture, a new oxygen turbopump was developed. In addition, the Vulcain 2 turbopump exhausts are reinjected into the main system, thus improving engine performance at high altitude. The Vulcain 2 engine is a key contributor to the additional lift capability of the new Ariane 5 ECA version into GTO.
- To hold the extra liquid oxygen needed for the EPC core stage, the capacity of the liquid oxygen tank has been increased by 16 tonnes. This was achieved by relocating the common tank bulkhead between the liquid oxygen tank and the liquid hydrogen tank of the Ariane 5 Generic EPC stage and reinforcing the structure elements.
The launcher’s attitude and trajectory are totally controlled by the two onboard computers, located in the Ariane 5 vehicle equipment bay (VEB). 7.05 seconds after ignition of the main stage cryogenic engine at T-0, the two solid-propellant boosters are ignited, enabling liftoff. The launcher first climbs vertically for 6 seconds, then rotates towards the East. It maintains an attitude that ensures the axis of the launcher remains parallel to its velocity vector, in order to minimize aerodynamic loads throughout the entire atmospheric phase, until the solid boosters are jettisoned. Once this first part of the flight is completed, the onboard computers optimize the trajectory in real time, minimizing propellant consumption to bring the launcher first to the intermediate orbit targeted at the end of the main stage propulsion phase, and then the final orbit at the end of the flight of the cryogenic upper stage. The main stage falls back off the coast of Africa in the Atlantic Ocean (in the Gulf of Guinea). On orbital injection, the launcher will have attained a velocity of approximately 9358 meters/second, and will be at an altitude of about 646 kilometers. The fairing protecting the W3B et BSAT-3b spacecraft is jettisoned shortly after the boosters are jettisoned at about T+189 seconds.
Launch Preparations:
Timeline:
Date
|
Event
Arianespace mission updates:
In pictures (non automatically rescaled versions are clickable):
Jul. 26, 2010
|
- Campaign start review
- EPC Erection
Jul. 27, 2010
|
- EAP transfer and positionning
Jul. 28, 2010
|
- Integration EPC/EAP
Aug. 2, 2010
|
- ESC-A and VEB Erection
Aug. 17, 2010
|
- Arrival in Kourou of BSAT-3b and beginning of preparation campaign in building S1 B
Sep. 9, 2010
|
- Roll-out from BIL to BAF
Sep. 30, 2010
|
- Arrival in Kourou of W3B and beginning of preparation campaign in building S1 B
Oct. 11-14, 2010
|
- W3B filling operations
Oct. 12-14, 2010
|
- BSAT-3b filling operations
Oct. 15, 2010
|
- W3B integration on adaptor (ACU)
Oct. 16, 2010
|
- W3B transfer to Final Assembly Building (BAF)
Oct. 18, 2010
|
- BSAT-3b integration on adaptor
- W3B integration on Sylda
Oct. 19, 2010
|
- Fairing integration on Sylda
- BSAT-3b transfer to Final Assembly Building (BAF)
Oct. 20, 2010
|
- BSAT-3b integration on launcher
Oct. 21, 2010
|
- Upper composite integration with W3B on launcher
Oct. 22, 2010
|
- ESC-A final preparations and payloads control
Oct. 23, 2010
|
- Launch rehearsal
Oct. 25, 2010
|
- Arming of launch vehicle
Oct. 26, 2010
|
- Arming of launch vehicle
- Launch readiness review (RAL) and final preparation of launcher
Oct. 27, 2010
|
- Roll-out from BAF to Launch Area (ZL)
- launch vehicle connections and filling of the EPC liquid Helium sphere
Oct. 28, 2010
|
- Launch countdown including EPC and ESC-A filling with liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen
Arianespace mission updates:
- 2010-06-11: Maintaining the mission pace: three Ariane 5s are at the Spaceport in French Guiana
- 2010-07-28: Integration begins with the next Ariane 5 to be launched from the Spaceport
- 2010-08-04: Basic assembly is completed for the next Ariane 5 to be launched in 2010
- 2010-09-10: Arianespace’s fourth Ariane 5 launcher of 2010 is ready to receive its dual-passenger payload
- 2010-10-04: Eutelsat’s W3B telecommunications satellite arrives for the next Ariane 5 launch
- 2010-10-26: Ariane 5's upcoming mission is given its “go” for launch
- 2010-10-27: Ariane 5 rolls out for its launch with the W3B and BSAT-3b satellites
In pictures (non automatically rescaled versions are clickable):
- A convoy arrives at the Spaceport with components for the fourth Ariane 5 to be operated by Arianespace in 2010 - photo at left. (At right, core stage of the previous flight V196.)
- First of two solid rocket motors leaving its assembly building for the transfer to the Ariane 5’s Launcher Integration Building.
- The core cryogenic stage for the fourth Ariane 5 of 2010 is raised for positioning over its mobile launch table inside the Spaceport’s Launcher Integration Building.
- Ariane 5’s upper composite (which consists of its ESC-A cryogenic upper stage and vehicle equipment bay) is installed on the heavy-lift vehicle inside the Launcher Integration Building.
- Riding atop one of two operational launch tables at the Spaceport, Ariane 5 moves to the Final Assembly Building, where it is to await arrival of the mission’s two satellite payloads.
- The W3B satellite is unloaded from an Antonov An-124 cargo jetliner at Cayenne’s Rochambeau International Airport.
- Eutelsat’s W3B telecommunications satellite arrives at the clean room.
- The heavy-lift Ariane 5 completes its rollout – approaching the Spaceport’s ELA-3 launch zone at left.
Links:
- Arianespace:
- Ariane 5 launcher
- Eutelsat’s W3B is on a fast track for launch by Ariane 5
- Launch Kit:
- [highlight]�[/highlight]English (PDF - 578 KB)
- [highlight]�[/highlight]Français (PDF - 583 KB)
- [highlight]�[/highlight]Cover Art (PDF)
- Lockheed Martin:
- Eutelsat:
- EUTELSAT W3B SATELLITE ON TRACK FOR OCTOBER 28 ARIANE LAUNCH
- W3B :: 16° EAST :: PREDICTED DOWNLINK COVERAGES
- [highlight]�[/highlight]EUTELSAT COMMISSIONS NEW W3B SATELLITE FROM THALES ALENIA SPACE (PDF)
- [highlight]�[/highlight]EUTELSAT W3B SATELLITE ON TRACK FOR OCTOBER 28 ARIANE LAUNCH (PDF)
- [highlight]�[/highlight]W3B flyer (PDF)
- SpaceRef:
- Space Daily: Japan's BSAT-3B Satellite Ready For Launch
Countdown & Launch Sequence:
–11:30:00|{colsp=3}Start of final countdown
–07:30:00|{colsp=3}Check of electrical systems
–04:50:00|{colsp=3}Start of filling of main cryogenic stage with liquid oxygen and hydrogen
–03:20:00|{colsp=3}Chilldown of Vulcain main stage engine
–01:10:00|{colsp=3}Check of connections between launcher and telemetry, tracking and command systems
–00:07:00|{colsp=3}“All systems go” report, allowing start of synchronized sequence
–00:04:00|{colsp=3}Tanks pressurized for flight
–00:01:00|{colsp=3}Switch to onboard power mode
-00:00:05,5|{colsp=3}Command issued for opening of cryogenic arms
–00:00:04|{colsp=3}Onboard systems take over
–00:00:03|{colsp=3}Unlocking of guidance systems to flight mode
+00:00:00|HO Ignition of the cryogenic main stage engine (EPC)| ALT (km) | V. rel. (m/s)
+00:00:07.05|Ignition of solid boosters|
0
|
0
+00:00:07.3|Liftoff|
0
|
0
+00:00:12.5|End of vertical climb and beginning of pitch rotation (10 seconds duration)|
0.090
|
37.7
+00:00:17|Beginning of roll manoeuvre|
0.347
|
77.1
+00:02:22|Jettisoning of solid boosters|
69.1
|
2004
+00:03:09|Jettisoning of fairing|
107.7
|
2188
+00:07:31|Acquisition by Natal tracking station|
211
|
4959
+00:08:50|Shut-down of main cryogenic stage|
213.2
|
6813.2
+00:08:56|Separation of main cryogenic stage|
213.0
|
6840.7
+00:09:00|Ignition of upper cryogenic stage (ESC-A)|
212.9
|
6843.1
+00:13:22|Acquisition by Ascension tracking station|
187
|
7521
+00:18:22|Acquisition by Libreville tracking station|
213
|
8325
+00:23:09|Acquisition by Malindi tracking station|
469
|
9083
+00:24:47|Shut-down of ESC-A / Injection|
645.9
|
9357.8
+00:28:11|Separation of W3B satellite|
1186.7
|
8918.2
+00:36:32|Separation of Sylda 5|
3030.3
|
7682.2
+00:37:50|Separation of BSAT-3b satellite|
3354.4
|
7498.3
+00:49:50|End of Arianespace Flight mission|
6422.9
|
6077.4
Injection Orbit:
Perigee altitude:
| 250 kmApogee altitude:
| 35913 km at injectionInclination:
| 2°---------- Post added at 20:50 ---------- Previous post was at 05:51 ----------
Launch window for today's attempt is opening in 3 hours.
A very nice launch kit for Ariane 5 V197 from EADS Astrium:
Last edited:
