Launcher assembly begins for Ariane 5 Flight VA218

Launcher assembly begins for Ariane 5 Flight VA218
by Staff Writers
Kourou, French Guiana (ESA) Mar 13, 2014

File image.

Activity is continuing in French Guiana to support Arianespace's busy 2014 launch schedule, with initial launcher buildup procedures underway for Flight VA218's Ariane 5 vehicle.

As part of familiar pre-launch preparations inside the Spaceport's Launcher Integration Building, the launcher's core cryogenic stage has been removed from its protective shipping container and hoisted into position over one of two operational mobile launch tables available for Ariane 5.

Subsequently during separate rollouts, the vehicle's two solid propellant boosters were moved via rail on pallets from their dedicated on-site assembly facility to the Launcher Integration Building, in preparation for mating with the core stage.

This Ariane 5 launcher will be used on Arianespace's 218th Ariane-series mission - designated Flight VA218 - which is to carry two passengers: the Optus 10 spacecraft for Australian operator Optus, and Asia-Pacific provider MEASAT Global's MEASAT-3b satellite.

Related Links
Arianespace
Launch Pad at Space-Travel.com

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Arianespace in spotlight at Satellite 2014: expects another record-breaking year
Kourou, French Guiana (ESA) Mar 13, 2014
Offering a family of launchers with unrivaled reliability, Arianespace reaffirms its position as the benchmark launch services provider, with solutions that cover the needs of the world's satellite manufacturers and operators. Arianespace is of course on hand at the industry's premier event, Satellite 2014, taking place in Washington, D.C. from Monday, March 10 to Thursday, March 13. Since ... read more

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