* Astronomy

TLE Data

ASTRA 1L
1 31306U 07016A   07195.00000000  .00000111  00000-0  00000+0 0   633
2 31306 000.0950 281.8090 0000637 054.1080 334.7700 01.00265594   759


TLE Data
GALAXY 17
1 31307U 07016B   07194.69949664 -.00000260  00000-0  00000+0 0   496
2 31307 000.0400 153.8598 0001292 328.9515 346.2232 01.00273846   751

Europe's Ariane 5 rocket has set a new benchmark for a commercial launch - lifting into orbit a two-satellite payload weighing 9.4 tonnes.
The immense, 50m-long vehicle powered away from Kourou in French Guiana at 1929 local time (22:29 GMT).
The Astra 1L and Galaxy 17 platforms it put in space will deliver TV and other services to Europe and North America.
Friday's mission represented the second launch of the year for the Ariane 5 and its 32nd flight overall.

Read more

May 4, 2007
Another Ariane 5 success, with a new record performance to geostationary transfer orbit
Ariane 5 delivered a record performance during Arianespace's second heavy-lift flight of 2007, deploying two large telecommunications satellites into geostationary transfer orbit today.
Launched from the ELA-3 complex at Europe's Spaceport, the Ariane 5 orbited ASTRA 1L for SES ASTRA and Galaxy 17 for Intelsat marking the 18th consecutive success for Arianespace's workhorse launch vehicle.

"This comes less than two months after our previous success, which demonstrates our consistent launch tempo. We have launched six Ariane 5s and two Soyuz in less than twelve months, establishing Arianespace as the world reference for the launch services industry" -  Jean-Yves Le Gall, Arianespace Chairman & CEO.

The customers for today's mission are key international satellite communications companies, and both are long-time users of Arianespace launch services.

"Astra 1L is the ninth satellite we have launched for SES Astra and the 26th for the SES family.  Just last December, we orbited AMC-18, and now - five months later - it was Astra 1L's turn. In addition, we will launch AMC-21 next year" - Jean-Yves Le Gall.

The ASTRA 1L platform is equipped with 29 Ku-band and 2 Ka-band transponders, and will deliver broadcast services to continental Europe from an orbital slot of 19.2° East. This 4,505-kg. communications platform also is to extend ASTRA's coverage from the Canary Islands in the West to the Russian border in the East, and it will further strengthen SES ASTRA's unique in-orbit back-up scheme.
Intelsat is a loyal Arianespace customer as well, and the 4,100-kg. Galaxy 17 spacecraft orbited today become the organization's 38th satellite to use an Ariane launcher. Fitted with 24- Ku-band and 24 C-band transponders, Galaxy 17 is designed to provide television and telephony services for North America.

"More than 60 percent of Intelsat satellites have been launched by Arianespace, and this fall, we will launch two more satellites for Intelsat. I want to thank Intelsat for the confidence it has had in our company from the very beginning" - Jean-Yves Le Gall.

Today's flight lofted a total mass estimated at just over 9,400 kg. a record performance for a mission to standard geostationary transfer orbit. This included the weight of the two satellite payloads, their integration hardware, as well as Ariane 5's multiple deployment system that enables the launcher to perform its efficient dual-spacecraft launches.
The mission originally had been scheduled for May 3, but was delayed 24 hours by high-altitude winds over French Guiana, which exceeded the established safety margins. The weather cooperated for tonight's launch even providing a break in the rainy conditions that allowed the launcher's initial ascent to be viewed, including separation of the Ariane 5's two solid boosters approximately 2 min. 20 sec. into the flight.

T plus 30 minutes

Altitude: 1390 km.
Velocity 8.8 kms.