The 60th Ariane 5 launch vehicle has rolled out at the Spaceport for tonight’s liftoff on a mission that will carry another dual-satellite payload at the service of Arianespace’s international customer base.
Moving atop one of two large mobile launch tables in service for Ariane 5, the heavy-lift workhorse was transferred from the Spaceport’s final assembly building to the ELA-3 launch zone on Monday, completing the rollout in one hour under sunny skies.
This flight will be Arianespace’s fifth Ariane 5 mission of 2011, and is to deploy the Arabsat-5C and SES-2 telecommunications spacecraft. Total payload performance is approximately 8,975 kg., of which 7,830 kg. is the combined mass for the two satellite passengers, which are to be deployed into geostationary transfer orbits.
The launch can be followed live on the special Arianespcae Videocorner website, where the webcast will start on Tuesday, September 20 at 21.23 GMT.
