* Astronomy

Blobrana · L

RE: Syracuse 3B Satellite

Blobrana · L

On 11 August 2006, an Ariane 5 ECA launcher lifted off from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana on its mission to place two telecommunications satellites into geostationary transfer orbits. Lift-off of flight V172 took place at 22:15 GMT/UTC (19:15 local time, 00:15 / 12 August CEST/Paris). The satellites were accurately injected into the correct transfer orbits about 30 minutes later.

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TLE Data

Syracuse 3B
1 29272U 06033A   06224.16943343  .00050518  00000-0  19784-1 0    25
2 29272 005.4400 123.2249 7272479 178.0002 188.1231 02.28313365    03

Blobrana · L

Arianespace provided another demonstration of Ariane 5's mission capability and flexibility with tonight's launch of a mixed commercial/military satellite payload in the vehicle's third flight of 2006.
After an on-time lift-off at 7:15 p.m. from Europe's Spaceport in French Guiana, the heavy-lift Ariane 5 delivered Japan's JCSAT-10 telecommunications spacecraft and the European Syracuse 3B secure military relay platform into geostationary transfer orbit.

Tonight's flight was Ariane 5's 28th mission and marked its 14th consecutive success – underscoring the launcher's maturity. JCSAT-10 was installed in the upper payload position on Ariane 5, and was released approximately 27 min. into the mission. This was followed some 5 minutes later by the separation of Syracuse 3B, which occupied the lower slot in the payload "stack."

"Tonight's success is particularly exemplary, and perfectly illustrates why we have launched a total of 237 satellites during the past 26 years – which, by far, is a world record" - Arianespace Chief Executive Officer Jean-Yves Le Gall in post-launch comments at the Spaceport's Jupiter control centre.

Le Gall noted that JCSAT-10 is the sixth satellite entrusted by Japan's JSAT Corporation to Arianespace for launch. It follows the recent orbiting of JCSAT-9 within the framework of the Launch Services Alliance mission industrial grouping – in which Arianespace is a founding member.
JCSAT-10's liftoff mass was approximately 4,050 kg. and it will be operated from an orbital slot of 128 deg. East to provide fixed satellite services (FSS) for Japan, the Asia-Pacific region and Hawaii. It carries a mixed relay payload of 30 Ku-band transponders and 12 C-band transponders, and was built by Lockheed Martin Commercial Space Systems.

In addition, Le Gall said this latest Arianespace mission success reinforces Ariane's role in providing independent access to space for governmental and military spacecraft such as Syracuse 3B. He noted Syracuse 3B was the 27th military payload launched by Ariane, of which the three most recent were lofted by Ariane 5s during the past 10 months.
Built by Alcatel Alenia Space, Syracuse 3B will operate nine SHF (super high frequency) and six EHF (extremely high frequency) secure relay channels, providing communications with defence forces and upgrading the relay links between French political and military authorities and operating units deployed worldwide. It will be positioned at an orbital slot of 5 deg. West, becoming part of France's Syracuse III third-generation military communications system – joining the Syracuse 3A satellite launched by an Ariane 5 last October.
Le Gall announced that Arianespace will keep up its 2006 mission pace by performing the next Ariane 5 launch on September 19. This Ariane 5 ECA will carry the DIRECTV 9S television broadcast satellite for DIRECTV of the U.S., along with the Optus D1 telecommunications spacecraft for Australia's Optus. An auxiliary payload also will be carried on the flight: the LDREX deployable antenna demonstrator from JAXA (the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency).

Blobrana · L

Both satellites have been sucessfully deployed.

Blobrana · L

JCSAT-10 will be released 27 minutes after launch, followed by Syracuse 3B 5 minutes later.

Blobrana · L

All systems nominal.

Blobrana · L

We have launch!

-- Edited by Blobrana at 23:40, 2006-08-11

Blobrana · L

All systems are green for launch at 22:15 GMT

Blobrana · L

Live webcast

Blobrana · L

Arianespace third heavy-lift mission of 2006 has entered its final countdown as preparations continue on schedule for this evening's liftoff with the JCSAT-10 and Syracuse 3B satellites.

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Fuelling of the Ariane 5 ECA's cryogenic main stage with liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen began during mid-day at the Spaceport's ELA-3 launch zone as part of the final pre-launch sequence.
Today's mission highlights Arianespace's ability to team up passengers of varied utilisations on efficient dual-passenger launches: the 3,750-kg. Syracuse 3B is a secure military relay platform, while the 4,050-kg. JCSAT-10 is a commercial telecommunications that weighs in at approximately 4,050 kg. satellite.
Ariane 5 is scheduled for lift-off at the start of a 37-minute launch window that opens at 7:15 p.m. (local time in French Guiana). JCSAT-10 is installed in the upper payload position on the launcher, and its release will occur 27 min. into the mission, followed approximately five minutes later by the separation of Syracuse 3B from the lower passenger slot.

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