Basic assembly of the Ariane 5 launcher has been performed at the Spaceport
in French Guiana, completing one more step in the program to return
Arianespace’s heavy-lift launcher to operational service.
The launch campaign for Flight 145 started earlier this month in the Ariane
5 launcher integration building, when the core cryogenic stage was erected
and mated to Ariane 5’s two solid boosters.
On September 19, an EPS storable propellant upper stage was installed atop
the core stage, allowing the basic integration process to be completed. This
upper stage subsequently is to be replaced by another that incorporates
modifications adopted after the in-flight malfunction that occurred during
Flight 142.
