The green light has been given for this Saturday's Ariane 5 launch with a dual-satellite payload, while a second heavy-lift Ariane 5 is taking shape for Arianespace's subsequent mission with another pair of satellite passengers.
This rapid pace of activity at Europe's Spaceport in French Guiana supports Arianespace's plan to perform six Ariane 5 launches in 2007 as the company accelerates its mission rate to meet the needs of international customers.
The upcoming launch on Saturday (March 10) will carry India's INSAT 4B television/telecommunications satellite, along with the Skynet 5A secure communications relay platform for the United Kingdom's Ministry of Defence.
