The Launch System Rehearsal Was Held Last Week, Marking a Major Step Forward In the Preparation of Flight 157
Taking place on October 15-16, the
Launch System Rehearsal for the upcoming launch of the 10-ton payload Ariane 5
fulfilled its major objectives: simultaneous filling of the two cryogenic
stages, the EPC main stage and the ESC-A upper stage, followed by synchronized
sequences up to ignition of the Vulcain main stage engine, and engine
operation for 14 seconds, as foreseen.
The data collected during the rehearsal is now being processed. Passing
this milestone allows Arianespace to consolidate its targeted launch date, now
set for no earlier than November 20.
For its 11th launch of the year, Arianespace will orbit two satellites:
HOT BIRD(TM) 7, a communications satellite for the operator Eutelsat, and
STENTOR, a space telecommunications and technology demonstrator satellite for
the French space agency CNES.
About Arianespace
Arianespace is the commercial launch services leader, holding more than 50
percent of the international market for satellites launched to geostationary
transfer orbit (GTO). Created in 1980 as the world’s first commercial space
transportation company, Arianespace has signed contracts for the launch of
more than 240 satellite payloads. For further information, see the
Arianespace Web site at http://www.arianespace.com .
