* Astronomy

Blobrana · L

RE: Intelsat 11/Optus D2 launch

Blobrana · L

The Ariane rocket has used a commercial satellite launch to test the engine sequence needed to loft Europe's forthcoming space truck, the ATV.
The rocket flew as normal on Friday to orbit two communications satellites, but it then re-ignited its upperstage to check its performance.
A re-ignition sequence will be required on the launch that hurls the ATV on a path to the space station in January.

ariane 5 launch

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Blobrana · L

On Friday evening, October 5, Arianespace successfully orbited two communications satellites: Intelsat 11 for the international operator Intelsat, and Optus D2 for the Australian operator Optus. Both satellites were built by Orbital Sciences Corporation.
34th Ariane 5 launch, 20th success in a row
The latest successful launch of an Ariane 5, the fourth in 2007, confirms that Arianespace offers the launch Service & Solutions best matched to operator requirements.
Ariane 5 is the only commercial launcher in service today capable of simultaneously launching two payloads. The Ariane 5 launcher gives Arianespace customers unrivalled performance, flexibility and competitiveness, and continues to set the global standard for launch services.
Two more Ariane 5 launches are scheduled by the end of the year.

The mission was carried out by an Ariane 5 GS launcher from Europe's Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana. Liftoff was on Friday, October 5, at 7:02 pm local time in Kourou (6:02 pm in Washington, DC, 22:02 UT, and on Saturday, October 6 at 00:02 am in Paris, and at 8:02 am in Sydney).

Provisional parameters at injection of the storable-propellant upper stage (EPS) were:

      Perigee: 584.7 km for a target of 584.8 km (±4)
      Apogee: 35,913 km for a target of 35,918 km (±240)
      Inclination: 4.01 degrees for a target of 4.00 degrees (±0.06°)

The Intelsat 11 satellite was built by Orbital Sciences Corporation at its plant in Dulles, Virginia, using a Star 2 platform. Weighing about 2,500 kg at launch, the satellite is fitted with a hybrid payload comprising 34 high-power transponders, including 16 C-band and 18 Ku-band units. It offers 3.5 kW of electrical power. Positioned at 43 degrees West, Intelsat 11 will host Latin Americas première video programmers and the regions largest DTH platform.
Optus D2 was also integrated by Orbital Sciences Corporation in Dulles using a Star 2 platform. Weighing about 2,350 kg at launch, it is fitted with 24 Ku-band transponders. Optus D2 will be positioned at 152 degrees East and has a design life of 15 years. It will provide direct TV broadcast, Internet, telephone and data transmission services for Australia and New Zealand.

Arianespace Press release

Blobrana · L

Intelsat, Ltd., the world's leading provider of commercial satellite services, announced today that at (18:02 EDT) its Intelsat 11 satellite was successfully launched aboard Arianespace's Ariane 5 rocket. The satellite, built by Orbital Sciences Corporation, will operate from 317° E and host Latin America's premiere video programmers and the region's largest DTH platform.
Its payload is comprised of 25 C- and 18 Ku-band transponder units offering robust coverage for broadcasting content in the Americas and Europe.

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Blobrana · L

T plus17 minutes.

Gabon tracking station has aquired signal.
All systems nominal.

Blobrana · L

Flight normal.
Normal trajectory.

Blobrana · L

All systems nominal

Blobrana · L

Launch

Blobrana · L

T minus 3 minutes.

All systems green

Blobrana · L

Countdown to resume in 5 minutes