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Ariane 5 December 27, 2010

Ariane 5 is moved to the launch zone for its year-ending flight

Arianespace has rolled out its sixth Ariane 5 for launch in 2010, preparing the final mission of this year for an evening liftoff tomorrow at the Spaceport in French Guiana.

The workhorse vehicle was transferred to the ELA-3 launch zone from the Spaceport’s Final Assembly Building – where the Ariane 5 was fitted with its dual-satellite payload of Hispasat 1E and KOREASAT 6.

Arianespace’s sixth Ariane 5 of 2010 is shown on its way to the ELA-3 launch zone during today’s transfer from the Final Assembly Building.

Arianespace’s sixth Ariane 5 of 2010 is shown on its way to the ELA-3 launch zone during today’s transfer from the Final Assembly Building.

Preparations now are underway for tomorrow’s final countdown, which will lead to the liftoff during a launch window that opens at 6:26 p.m. and continues to 7:15 p.m., local time in French Guiana.

Ariane 5’s payload lift performance for this mission is a total of about 9,260 kg., which includes a mass of 8,170 kg. for its satellite passengers, along with the associated integration hardware and the launcher’s SYLDA multi-payload dispenser system.

Riding as the upper passenger in Ariane 5’s payload “stack” is Hispasat 1E, which will be released at 27 minutes into the flight. This Space Systems/Loral-built satellite weighs approximately 5,320 kg., and is to provide high-quality capacity for Spanish operator HISPASAT’s new initiatives – which include direct to home television; digital terrestrial television; value-added broadband services in mobile, land and maritime environments; and high-definition television.

KOREASAT 6, which has an estimated liftoff mass of 2,850 kg., will be deployed from Ariane 5’s lower passenger position at approximately 34 minutes into the mission. Built by an industry team composed of Orbital Sciences Corp. and Thales Alenia Space for the Republic of Korea’s KT Corporation, KOREASAT 6 is to provide broadcasting and communications services across all of South Korea.

 

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Ariane 5 December 26, 2010

The year-ending Ariane 5 flight with HISPASAT 1E and KOREASAT 6 is approved for liftoff

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