Ariane 5

Assembly of the first Ariane 5 rocket has started at the Guiana Space Center in French Guiana and is scheduled for launch in 2015.

The Ariane 5 build-up is being carried out at the spaceport’s launcher integration building.

The vehicle’s cryogenic core stage has been placed over one of its mobile launch table, when two solid propellant boosters will be integrated, Arianespace said.

Airbus Defence and Space is the prime contractor and is managing the activity. Arianespace will be responsible for payload integration, final checkout and launch.

The rocket is scheduled for lift-off in March 2015 under the name flight VA222, with Telenor Satellite Broadcasting’s THOR 7 commercial relay satellite and the Sicral 2 telecommunications platform for Telespazio on-board.

The launch will be the 222nd lift-off for an Ariane family vehicle from the spaceport.

The THOR 7 will be placed in Ariane 5’s upper passenger position, while the Sicral 2 will be located below it in the SYLDA dispenser system.

"The launch will be the 222nd lift-off for an Ariane family vehicle from the spaceport."

In 2011, Arianespace secured a contract from Telenor Satellite Broadcasting to launch its THOR 7 satellite.

Built on Space Systems/ Loral’s 1300 series platform, the THOR 7 is equipped with 11 Ku-band transponders to provide broadcast services in Central and Eastern Europe.

It also features a Ka band payload to offer broadband communications within the maritime industry and will include spot beams over the North Sea, Norwegian Sea, Red Sea, Baltic Sea, the Persian Gulf and the Mediterranean.

In 2010, Telespazio (Thales) has selected Arianespace to launch the Sicral 2 satellite for the Italian Defense Ministry and the French DGA armament agency.

From an orbital slot of 37° E, Sicral 2 is designed to provide tactical telecommunications links for the French and Italian military forces, as well as offer reserve telecommunications capacity for other NATO countries.

Image: Assembly activity of the Ariane 5 for Flight VA222 begins with building its cryogenic core stage over the mobile launch table. Photo: courtesy of Arianespace.

Defence Technology