The Launch Readiness Review (RAL) took place in Kourou on Tuesday July 31, 2012 and authorised count-down operations for the INTELSAT 20 & HYLAS 2 launch. Arianespace will orbit two communications satellites on its fourth Ariane 5 launch of the year: INTELSAT 20 for the international satellite operator Intelsat, and HYLAS 2 for the European operator Avanti Communications. The choice of Arianespace by leading space communications operators and manufacturers is clear international recognition of the company's excellence in launch services. It will be launched from the Ariane launch complex N° 3 (ELA3), in Kourou, French Guiana.
Lift-Off for this flight is scheduled on August 2 to 3, 2012 as soon as possible within the following launch window:
> Kourou: Between 05:54pm and 06:51pm on August 2, 2012
> GMT/TU: Between 08:54pm and 09:51pm on August 2, 2012
> Paris: Between 10:54pm and 11:51pm on August 2, 2012
> Wahsington: Between 04:54pm and 05:51pm on August 2, 2012
Satellite broadband provider Avanti Communications today raised £86 million through a new share issue and £196 million in debt to launch its second satellite in two years' time. Avanti sells broadband services to telecoms companies across Europe allowing them to deliver broadband to inaccessible areas like rural Scotland. Read more