The launch of Arianespace’s next Ariane 5 has been set for the early morning hours of August 11 from the Spaceport in French Guiana, carrying the largest commercial telecommunications satellite ever to be placed in geostationary transfer orbit.
Arianespace set the new launch date after the completion of additional checks and work on components of the launcher. During this activity, the Ariane 5 Generic vehicle and its THAICOM 4 (IPSTAR) payload have remained in a safe condition inside the Spaceport’s final assembly building.
The heavyweight THAICOM 4 (IPSTAR) will have a mass at liftoff of more than 6,500 kg. (14,000 lb.). Built by Space Systems/Loral for Shin Satellite, Plc of Thailand, THAICOM 4 (IPSTAR) is to provide enterprises and consumers with various levels of Internet access services throughout Asia, Australia and New Zealand – competing with terrestrial cable modems and digital subscriber lines.
