Preparations for Arianespace’s Flight 149 are well advanced, with the
two satellites for this dual payload mission now undergoing pre-launch
checkout and the Ariane 4 vehicle in the launch zone.
The JCSAT-8 spacecraft for Japan’s JSAT Corporation, and Astra 3A for
Europe’s SES Astra were both produced by Boeing Satellite Systems, and
the manufacturer decided to fly them into French Guiana on March 6
aboard the same cargo airliner.
On March 8, the Ariane 4 launcher was transferred from its vertical
assembly building to the launch zone, allowing final preparations to
start for a liftoff targeted in the second half of March.
