ASTRA 1N & BSAT-3c = Ariane 5 ECA(VA203) - 06.08.11 22:52 UTC

[Salo]

http://www.arianespace.com/news-press-release/2011/4-11-2011-va201-new-launch-date.asp

Ariane Flight VA203, with an Ariane 5 ECA carrying the ASTRA 1N and BSAT-3c passengers: June 29, 2011.

[Salo]

http://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/bsat-3c_jcsat-110r.htm

BSat 3c / JCSAT 110R[/size]


BSat 3c / JCSAT 110R [LMSS]

Lockheed Martin has been in December 2008 awarded a contract by the Broadcasting Satellite System Corporation (B-SAT) and SKY Perfect JSAT Corporation (SKY Perfect JSAT) of Japan to build their next geostationary broadcasting and telecommunications satellite. Designated BSAT-3c/JCSAT-110R, the satellite will be launched in the second quarter of 2011 aboard an Ariane-5ECA launch vehicle provided by Arianespace.

BSAT-3c/JCSAT-110R's two independent Ku-band payloads incorporate 12 direct broadcast channels and 12 fixed direct communication channels with uplink and downlink coverage over Japan. The spacecraft will be located at 110 degrees East longitude after delivery in orbit. BSAT-3c/JCSAT-110R is required to meet a 15-year service life and will be designed with over 95% flight-proven components integrated into the highly reliable A2100A platform manufactured by Lockheed Martin Commercial Space Systems (LMCSS), Newtown, PA.

Nation:    Japan
Type / Application:    Communication
Operator:    Broadcasting Satellite System Corporation (B-SAT), SKY Perfect JSAT
Contractors:    Lockheed Martin
Equipment:    12 Ku-band transponders (x W), 12 Ku-band transponders (x W)
Configuration:    A2100A
Propulsion:    LEROS-1C
Power:    2 deployable solar arrays, batteries
Lifetime:    15 years
Mass:    3000 kg
Orbit:    GEO

[Salo]

http://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/astra-1n.htm

Astra 1N[/size]



Astra 1N [EADS Astrium]

SES ASTRA, an SES company, announced in July 2008 that it awarded the construction of a new satellite, Astra 1N, to the European satellite manufacturer Astrium. The spacecraft is scheduled for launch in 2011 and will be positioned at Astra's prime orbital position 19.2 degrees East. It will mainly serve the German, French and Spanish markets, and provide customers with continuous operating and back-up satellite capacity at this key location. ASTRA 1N will have 55 transponders with pan-European coverage, and will operate in the Ku frequency band. Its expected lifetime is 15 years.

ASTRA 1N will be built on a Eurostar-3000 platform, the latest version of Astrium's Eurostar series which has proven to be highly reliable in commercial service.

Nation:    Luxembourg
Type / Application:    Communication (Direct Broadcasting)
Operator:    SES-Astra
Contractors:    Astrium
Equipment:    55 Ku-band transponders
Configuration:    Eurostar-3000
Propulsion:    ?
Power:    2 deployable solar arrays, batteries
Lifetime:    15 years
Mass:    5400 kg
Orbit:    GEO

[Salo]

http://www.arianespace.com/news-mission-update/2011/795.asp

The launch cadence continues in 2011: Another Ariane 5 begins its assembly at the Spaceport[/size]

May 12, 2011 – Ariane Flight VA203

The Ariane 5 for Arianespace's fourth heavy-lift mission of 2011 has begun its initial build-up at the Spaceport – joining another launch campaign being conducted in parallel, and underscoring the French Guiana facility's flexibility in maintaining the launch pace for a broad international customer base.

Assembly of this latest Ariane 5 follows the same procedures as employed for the 58 workhorse launchers that preceded it, with activity beginning in the Launcher Integration Building.  The core cryogenic stage was raised into position over one of two mobile launch tables in service at the Spaceport, and was followed by the positioning of two solid propellant boosters for mating with the core stage.

Arianespace's upcoming flight – designated VA203, for the 203rd mission with an Ariane family launcher – will mark another of Ariane 5's dual-payload missions, carrying two TV broadcast and telecommunications relay satellites: BSAT-3c/JCSAT-110R and ASTRA 1N.

BSAT-3c/JCSAT-110R is a co-procured spacecraft by Japan's Broadcasting Satellite System Corporation (B-SAT) and SKY Perfect JSAT Corporation, with its launch to be performed by Arianespace in the scope of a turnkey launch contract with American manufacturer Lockheed Martin.

ASTRA 1N will be operated by Luxemburg-based SES, which has a multi-launch agreement with Arianespace that also includes the orbiting of its SES 2 satellite in 2011.

The Ariane 5 mission with BSAT-3c/JCSAT-110R and ASTRA 1N will follow Arianespace's upcoming VA202 heavy-lift launch, which is to loft the ST-2 and GSAT-8 satellites on May 19.  This launcher currently is in the Spaceport's Final Assembly Building, where payload integration is now underway.

Previous Ariane 5 flights in 2011 were VA201, performed on April 22 with the Yahsat Y1A and Intelsat New Dawn payloads; and the milestone VA200 mission, which carried Europe's second Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV) on February 16 for servicing of the International Space Station.


This photo series highlights the initial assembly steps for the Ariane 5 that will orbit BSAT-3c/JCSAT-110R and ASTRA 1N. A view of the core cryogenic stage in the horizontal position provides a look into its main engine's nozzle.


This core stage is then hoisted into position over the mobile launch table
inside the Spaceport's Launcher Integration Building,


while one of Ariane 5's two solid propellant boosters is rolled out for its mating with the core stage.

[Salo]

http://www.arianespace.com/news-mission-update/2011/798.asp

Initial "top-off" is performed with the fourth Ariane 5 for launch this year[/size]

May 17, 2011 – Ariane Flight VA203

The second of two Ariane 5 mission campaigns currently underway at the Spaceport has reached a new milestone with the completion of its vehicle's basic build-up in French Guiana.

During activity in the Spaceport's Launcher Integration Building, this Ariane 5 was initially topped-off with the incorporation of its ESC-A cryogenic upper stage and the vehicle equipment bay – which were installed as a single unit.  

The Ariane 5 is now ready for its transfer to the adjacent Final Assembly Building, where Arianespace will take delivery of the launcher for installation of two TV broadcast and telecommunications relay satellites: BSAT-3c/JCSAT-110R and ASTRA 1N. It will be used on the fourth Ariane 5 launch of 2011.

Arianespace currently has another Ariane 5 in the Final Assembly Building, which will roll out May 19 for a liftoff the following day with its own dual-passenger payload, consisting of the ST-2 and GSAT-8 satellites.


Installation of the Ariane 5's upper composite – which consists of its ESC-A cryogenic upper stage and vehicle equipment bay – is highlighted in this series of photos. The component is readied in the Launcher Integration Building's dock area.


 A close-up image details the cryogenic upper stage's HM-7B engine nozzle as the upper composite is hoisted for transfer to the Ariane 5,


which is partially visible in the background of the third photo.


The component is moved into position for integration atop Ariane 5's core cryogenic stage.

[Salo]

http://www.arianespace.com/news-mission-update/2011/801.asp

The Spaceport's next Ariane 5 flight is targeted for early July with the ASTRA 1N and BSAT 3C/JCSAT110R spacecraft, to be followed several days later by a Soyuz mission from Baikonur Cosmodrome with six Globalstar satellites.

[Pol]

http://www.satnews.com/cgi-bin/story.cgi?number=624463600
May 19, 2011

SES... Major Package Arrival (Satellite)

 [SatNews] SES (Euronext Paris and Luxembourg Stock Exchange: SESG) has announced that the ASTRA 1N satellite designed and manufactured by Astrium for SES has arrived at the European space Center in Kourou, French Guiana.

This delivery is in preparation for the satellite's launch by an Ariane 5 vehicle early July 2011. ASTRA 1N will deliver DTH services, notably digital and HD TV with pan-European coverage, and is planned to mainly serve the German, French and Spanish markets. The satellite will first provide interim capacity at 28.2 degrees East and will subsequently be moved to19.2 degrees East, its final orbital position. As prime contractor for ASTRA 1N, Astrium has supplied both the payload and the Eurostar E3000 platform for this satellite equipped with 62 transponders in the Ku- frequency band. ASTRA 1N will have a launch mass of 5,350 kg and a spacecraft power of 13 kW at the end of its 15-year design life. Launch and Early Orbit Phase operations will be conducted from the Astrium spacecraft control centre in Toulouse, France. ASTRA 1N will be the fourth Eurostar satellite in the ASTRA fleet following the successful launch of ASTRA 3B in May 2010. Astrium's Eurostar series has accumulated nearly 400 years of successful in-orbit operations.

Astrium is currently in the process of designing and manufacturing five more satellites for SES, all based on the Eurostar E3000 platform: ASTRA 2E, ASTRA 2F, ASTRA 2G and ASTRA 5B. All are scheduled for launch between 2012 and 2014 and are designed to deliver high quality broadcast, VSAT and broadband services in Europe and Africa for SES; while SES-6 will support SES' growth in Latin America, offering 50 percent more C-band capacity for the cable community, and retaining the unique capability to distribute content between the Americas and Europe on the same high powered beam.

[Salo]

http://www.arianespace.com/news-mission-update/2011/802.asp

ASTRA 1N is delivered to French Guiana for its Ariane 5 flight[/size]

May 24, 2011 – Ariane Flight VA203

The initial passenger for Arianespace's next Ariane 5 dual-payload launch is now in French Guiana following a trans-Atlantic delivery flight as preparations continue for this fourth heavy-lift mission of 2011, which is planned in early July from the Spaceport.

Arriving at Cayenne's Rochambeau International Airport aboard an Antonov An-124 cargo aircraft, ASTRA 1N completed its airlift from the Toulouse, France facilities of EADS Astrium – which designed and manufactured this communications relay platform for satellite operator SES ASTRA.

ASTRA 1N will deliver direct-to-home broadcast services – including digital and high definition television – with pan-European coverage, and it is planned to primarily serve the German, French and Spanish markets.

The satellite is based on Astrium's Eurostar E3000 platform, with a liftoff mass of more than 5,300 kg. and designed mission life of 15 years. Equipped with 62 Ku-band transponders, ASTRA 1N initially will provide interim capacity from an orbital position of 28.2 deg. East following its deployment by Ariane 5. It subsequently will be moved to SES ASTRA's prime location at 19.2 deg. East for primary and backup services.

The satellite will be orbited along with its co-passenger, BSAT 3c/JCSAT 110R, on another of Ariane 5's trademark dual-payload missions. It follows Arianespace's latest heavy-lift success on May 20, which lofted the ST-2 and GSAT-8 spacecraft from Europe's Spaceport in French Guiana.


ASTRA 1N is unloaded after its transport to Rochambeau International Airport, located near French Guiana's capital city of Cayenne.

[Salo]

http://www.arianespace.com/news-mission-update/2011/803.asp

Payload processing is now underway with SES ASTRA's ASTRA 1N spacecraft for Arianespace's next launch[/size]

May 26, 2011 – Ariane Flight VA203

The first-arrived satellite passenger for Arianespace's fourth flight of 2011 is undergoing initial checkout in French Guiana, as preparations move forward at the Spaceport for a dual-passenger Ariane 5 mission set for July 1.

This activity with the ASTRA 1N relay platform is taking place in the Spaceport's S5 payload processing facility where it already has completed its fit-check validation, clearing the way for additional milestones such as fueling prior to the integration on Ariane 5.

ASTRA 1N is a state-of-the-art Ku-band spacecraft for satellite operator SES ASTRA, and will deliver pan-European direct-to-home broadcast services – including digital and high definition television.

Built by EADS Astrium based on the company's E3000 platform, ASTRA 1N will have a liftoff mass of more than 5,300 kg. The spacecraft is designed for a nominal lifetime of 15 years.

Following its deployment by Ariane 5, ASTRA 1N initially will provide interim capacity for SES ASTRA from an orbital position of 28.2 deg. East, and subsequently will be moved to this operator's prime location at 19.2 deg. East for primary and backup services.

Joining ASTRA 1N on Ariane 5's upcoming mission in July will be the BSAT-3c/JCSAT-110R telecommunications platform, which was manufactured by Lockheed Martin Commercial Space Systems.


ASTRA 1N's fit-check was performed in the S5A integration hall of the Spaceport's S5 satellite preparation facility.

[Pol]

http://www.satnews.com/cgi-bin/story.cgi?number=530372175

June 06, 2011

Arianespace... Payloads To Be Prepp'd (Launch)

The dual payloads for the next Ariane 5 mission have now been rec'd...

Both payloads for Arianespace's fourth Ariane 5 flight of 2011 are now at the Spaceport, following delivery of the BSAT-3c/JCSAT-110R relay satellite, which will join its ASTRA 1N co-passenger on the upcoming heavy-lift mission. BSAT-3c/JCSAT-110R arrived at Cayenne's Rochambeau International Airport aboard a chartered An-124 cargo jetliner and was transferred to the Spaceport's clean room facilities to begin its pre-launch preparations. Built by Lockheed Martin Commercial Space Systems on behalf of B-SAT Corporation and SKY Perfect JSAT Corporation, BSAT-3c/JCSAT-110R will serve as a hybrid broadcasting and telecommunications satellite – operating from an orbital position of 110 degrees East. The spacecraft is based on Lockheed Martin's A2100A platform and was designed to meet a required 15-year service life.


The shipping container with BSAT-3c/JCSAT-110R is unloaded from the An-124 cargo airliner at Rochambeau International Airport near the French Guiana capital city of Cayenne. Photo courtesy of Arianespace.

The mission with BSAT-3c/JCSAT-110R and ASTRA 1N is scheduled for liftoff on July 1, keeping up Arianespace's mission pace with the heavy-lift Ariane 5 workhorse. It will follow Arianespace's three previous launches of 2011: on May 20 with the ST-2 and GSAT-8 payloads; on April 22 to orbit the Yahsat Y1A and Intelsat New Dawn spacecraft; and on February 16 with the Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV) Johannes Kepler.

[Pol]

http://www.satnews.com/cgi-bin/story.cgi?number=1972218086

June 13, 2011

Arianespace... Low + High Rider (Launch)

July 1st is the scheduled "move 'em on out" date...

The BSAT-3c/JCSAT-110R satellite for Arianespace's next Ariane 5 flight is advancing through its checkout process at the Spaceport in French Guiana, in preparation for a July 1 liftoff on another of the workhorse launcher's dual-payload missions. BSAT-3c/JCSAT-110R is a hybrid broadcasting and telecommunications satellite built by Lockheed Martin Commercial Space Systems on behalf of B-SAT Corporation and SKY Perfect JSAT Corporation. Based on Lockheed Martin's A2100A platform, the spacecraft is to be operated from an orbital position of 110 degrees East longitude, and was designed to meet a required 15-year service life.

BSAT-3c/JCSAT-110R will ride as the lower passenger during Arianespace's upcoming mission, to be deployed after its companion payload, ASTRA 1N, which also is undergoing its processing at the Spaceport. The EADS Astrium-built ASTRA 1N is a state-of-the-art Ku-band spacecraft that will deliver pan-European direct-to-home broadcast services for satellite operator SES ASTRA. ASTRA 1N initially will provide interim capacity from an orbital position of 28.2 degrees East following its deployment by Ariane 5. It subsequently will be moved to SES ASTRA's prime location at 19.2 degrees East for primary and backup services.

The BSAT-3c/JCSAT-110R satellite is readied to start its final checkout process inside the Spaceport's S5 payload preparation building. Photo courtesy of Arianespace.

[Salo]

http://www.arianespace.com/news-mission-update/2011/805.asp

[Старый]

Кстати, Бсаты - самые маленькие спутники связи?

[Salo]

3000 кг на ГПО.

[Старый]

Вобще серия Б-сат - серия самых маленьких геостационарных спутников связи?

[Salo]

GSAT-12 имеет массу 1375 кг на ГПО с перигеем 284 км и апогеем 21000 км.
Не знаю правда, можно ли его назвать серийным.

[Старый]

Ну Гсат это специфика. А вот Бсаты всегда были самыми маленькими. Они росли вместе с общим ростом массы ГСО-спутников связи определяя их нижнюю границу. Поконкурировать с ними за почётное звание "самых маленьких" могли только некоторые Интелсаты на платформе Стар-2.

[Salo]

2200-2600 кг на орбиталовской платформе STAR-2.
http://www.orbital.com/SatellitesSpace/Communications/ORBCOMM/

[Salo]

http://www.spaceflightnow.com/tracking/index.html

July 1     Ariane 5  •  ASTRA 1N & BSAT 3c
Launch window: 2143-2306 GMT (5:43-7:06 p.m. EDT)

[Salo]

http://www.arianespace.com/news-mission-update/2011/807.asp

Arianespace receives the next Ariane 5 for launch in 2011[/size]
June 14, 2011 – Ariane Flight VA203

The Spaceport's Final Assembly Building has welcomed its fourth Ariane 5 of 2011 as preparations in French Guiana advance for Arianespace's upcoming mission with the ASTRA 1N and BSAT-3c/JCSAT-110R spacecraft.

This heavy-lift Ariane 5 ECA moved from the Launcher Integration Building to the Final Assembly Building today, marking its delivery to Arianespace by vehicle prime contractor EADS Astrium. With this step completed, the workhorse vehicle is now ready for integration of its dual-satellite payload.

The upcoming mission with ASTRA 1N and BSAT-3c/JCSAT-110R is scheduled for liftoff from French Guiana on July 1, continuing Arianespace's busy launch cadence for 2011.

It will follow Arianespace's three previous launches of 2011: on May 20 with the ST-2 and GSAT-8 payloads; on April 22, orbiting the Yahsat Y1A and Intelsat New Dawn spacecraft; and on February 16 with the Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV) Johannes Kepler.


Riding atop one of two operational launch tables at the Spaceport, Ariane 5 moves to the Final Assembly Building – where it will receive the dual-satellite payload of ASTRA 1N and BSAT-3c/JCSAT-110R.