Ariane 5 is in the Launch Zone for Liftoff With JCSAT-17 and GEO-KOMPSAT-2B

Arianespace has delivered another Ariane 5 to the launch zone at Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana, clearing the way for its February 18 mission with two satellite payloads: SKY Perfect JSAT Corporation’s JCSAT-17 and GEO-KOMPSAT-2B for the Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI).

The Ariane 5 that will lift off on Arianespace’s Flight VA252 nears completion of its transfer from the Spaceport’s Final Assembly Building to the ELA-3 launch zone.

Riding atop a mobile launch table, Ariane 5 was transferred from the Spaceport’s Final Assembly Building – where payload integration occurred – to the dedicated ELA-3 launch complex. The heavy-lift vehicle is delivered to Arianespace by ArianeGroup as production prime contractor.

With this rollout completed, the final countdown will begin for a February 18 liftoff at the start of a 1-hr., 2-min. launch window that opens at 7:18 p.m. local time in French Guiana.

Tomorrow’s mission is designated Flight VA252, and has an estimated payload performance of 10,109 kg. – a total that factors in the liftoff mass of its JCSAT-17 and GEO-KOMPSAT-2B spacecraft passengers, plus the dual-satellite dispenser system and integration hardware. Both passengers are to be deployed into geostationary transfer orbit during a 31-min. flight sequence.

Riding in Ariane 5’s upper passenger position is SKY Perfect JSAT Corporation’s JCSAT-17, built by Lockheed Martin Space. This relay platform is designed to deliver flexible, high-bandwidth communications for users in Japan and the surrounding region from an orbital position at 136 deg. East.

GEO-KOMPSAT-2B, which is located below JCSAT-17 in the launcher payload arrangement, was developed by the Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI). It will conduct Earth environment monitoring and ocean monitoring missions and is to be stationed at the 128.2 deg. East orbital location.