On Wednesday, September 21, Arianespace orbited two communications satellites, Arabsat 5C for the operator Arabsat, and SES-2 for the operator SES, using an Ariane 5 ECA rocket.
204th Ariane launch, 60th Ariane 5 launch, 46th success in a row This latest successful Ariane 5 launch, the fifth in 2011, once again proves the launchers operational capabilities. Ariane 5 handles a complete range of missions, from commercial launches into geostationary orbit to launches into special orbits. This was the 60th launch of an Ariane 5, and the 46th successful launch in a row. Ariane 5 is the only commercial satellite launcher now on the market capable of simultaneously launching two payloads.
ARABSAT 5 C -- SES-2 satellite launch postponement
The Trade Union of French Guiana Workers (UTG), has just started a strike action within the TELESPAZIO company. This action will make unavailable means of measurement in the Space Centre which are absolutely necessary for the VA204 launch planned this Tuesday, September 20. Consequently, Arianespace and CNES have decided to adjourn the launch. Both CNES and TELESPAZIO managements intend to suggest UTG to continue the talks as soon as possible. A new launch date will be announced as soon as possible. Source (French, 27kb, PDF)
A strike at the Kourou space centre in French Guiana on Tuesday forced authorities to postpone an Ariane-5 rocket launch, the National Centre for Space Studies (CNES) said. Read more
The Launch Readiness Review (RAL) took place in Kourou on Sunday September 18, 2011 and authorised count-down operations for the ARABSAT 5C & SES-2 launch.
Arianespace has set the launch of its Arabsat 5C and SES-2 satellites SES-2 for Tuesday, September 20, 2011. Sundays launch readiness review for Arianespaces fifth Ariane 5 launch of 2011 has given the green light for its September 20 liftoff on a mission that will orbit the Arabsat-5C and SES-2 satellites from the Spaceport in French Guiana. Read more
Liftoff of the Ariane 5 ECA launcher is scheduled for the night of Tuesday, 20th September, as early as possible in the following launch window:
From 6:38 p.m. to 8:02 p.m., local time in Kourou, French Guiana From 5:38 p.m. to 7:02 p.m. in Washington D.C. From 9:38 p.m. to 11:02 p.m. UTC, on Tuesday, 20th September From 11:38 p.m. to 01:02 a.m. in Paris, during the night of 20 to 21st September From 00:38 a.m. to 02:02 a.m. in Riyadh on Wednesday, 21st September