Arianespace announced it has moved the Ariane 5 ECA into the Final Assembly Building at Europe's Spaceport, where it will receive its heavyweight satellite payloads in preparation for a scheduled May 26 liftoff.
Ariane 5 ECA emerged from the Launcher Integration Building – where technicians completed the vehicle's basic assembly – last week atop its mobile launch table, and moved along a 2.5 kilometer (1.5 mile) semi-circular rail line to the Final Assembly Building for installation of its dual satellite payload.
The mobile launch table is one of two now dedicated to Ariane 5 missions. Both are configured to accommodate the heavy-lift Ariane 5 ECA with its increased-performance cryogenic upper stage. The dual launch tables allow Arianespace to conduct Ariane 5 ECA missions within a month.
The rocket will receive the Satmex 6 and Thaicom 5 satellites, which have a combined weight of approximately 8.5 metric tons (9.4 short tons, or 18,800 pounds) – the heaviest payload by an Ariane 5 mission into geostationary transfer orbit.
Satmex 6 will have a mass at liftoff of approximately 5,700 kilograms (12,600 pounds), and is to be operated by Mexico's Satelites Mexicanos, S.A. de C.V. It is based on a Space Systems/Loral FS-1300X satellite bus and carries a mixed relay payload of 36 C-band and 24 Ku-band transponders. Satmex 6 will provide coverage over Mexico, South America and the continental United States.
Thaicom 5 is an Alcatel Alenia Space-built spacecraft that will provide telecom and television services throughout the Asia/Pacific region from an orbital position at 78.5 degrees east. Weighing approximately 2,800 kilograms (6,200 pounds) at launch, it is equipped with 14 Ku-band transponders and 24 C-band transponders, and will join the satellite fleet of Thailand's Shin Satellite Public Company Limited.
