Ariane’s next launch, designated Flight VA215, is to carry the Eutelsat 25B/Es’hail-1 and GSAT-7 telecommunications satellites.
Flight VA215’s heavy-lift vehicle has completed its initial build-up in the Spaceport’s Launcher Integration Building for Ariane 5, and soon will be transferred to the Final Assembly Building to receive its payloads. The Final Assembly Building became available on the morning of Wednesday, July 25, when the Ariane 5 for Arianespace’s Flight VA214 rolled out to the launch zone for a liftoff on Thursday, which will put with Alphasat and INSAT-3D into orbit.
The VA215 mission will launch Eutelsat 25B/Es’hail 1, built by SSL for Eutelsat and Es’hailSat – The Qatar Satellite Company. Weighing more than 6,000 kg. at liftoff, this platform was conceived to provide direct broadcast services (DBS) to expanding markets in the Middle East, North Africa, and Central Asia regions.
Eutelsat 25B/Es’hail 1 will replace Eutelsat’s Eurobid 2 satellite at 25.5 degrees East. In addition to ensuing Ku-band continuity for Eutelsat and providing additional Ku-band resources for the Qatar Satellite Company, the spacecraft will initiate a Ka-band capability to open business opportunities for both companies.
Joining Eutelsat 25B will be the Indian spacecraft GSAT-7, which has now begun its checkout at the Spaceport to confirm the multi-band satellite’s readiness with payloads in the UHF, S-band, C-band and Ku-bands.
Developed by the Indian Space Research Organisation, it utilizes India’s standard I-2K bus – the same as employed for the Indian INSAT-3D satellite, which is only hours away from liftoff on Arianespace’s VA214 mission.
The GSAT-7 spacecraft’s mass at liftoff is estimated at 2,550 kg., and its power handling capability is rated at approximately 3,000 Watts. After being deployed by Ariane 5, the satellite will operate from an orbital position of 74 degrees East.
Joining the Indian satellite on
