The upcoming Ariane 5 mission with Yahsat Y1A and Intelsat New Dawn is set for March 29. The heavy-lift Ariane 5 for Arianespace’s second launch of 2011 is now in the final assembly building at Europe’s Spaceport, where it will be fitted with the dual payload.
This flight will keep up the mission pace for Arianespace during the year, in which the company is targeting a total of 12 launches – composed of six Ariane 5 flights, the first two Soyuz launches and Vega’s inaugural liftoff, all from the Spaceport; along with three Soyuz launches from Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.
Yahsat Y1A is the initial telecommunications relay spacecraft for Al Yah Satellite Communications Company (Yahsat), and it was built by an industrial team of EADS Astrium and Thales Alenia Space, which have the responsibility of co-prime contractors. Astrium is the lead for a turnkey delivery of the two-satellite Yahsat system, while Thales Alenia Space is in charge of the launcher procurement.
With a payload of Ku-, Ka- and C-band transponders, the spacecraft will provide coverage over the Middle East, Africa, Europe and Southwest Asia.
Intelsat New Dawn is the first-ever African private sector communications satellite, with the mission of supplying critical communications infrastructure for African customers. To be marketed and operated as part of the Intelsat satellite fleet, Intelsat New Dawn will deliver wireless backhaul, broadband and media content – which are the fastest growing satellite-based applications in Africa.
This satellite was produced by Orbital Sciences Corporation and is equipped with C-band and Ku-band transponders.
