Arianespace announced Friday its technicians have completed the fueling process for the JCSAT-10 satellite, marking another step in the spacecraft's pre-launch checkout for its upcoming Ariane 5 ECA dual payload heavy-lift mission, currently scheduled for Aug. 11.
JSAT-10's fueling occurred in the S5A hall of the Spaceport's large S5 payload preparation facility, designed to allow multiple satellites to be processed in parallel – even during hazardous operations such as fueling.
Checkout activities also continued with the Ariane 5's other payload – France's Syracuse 3B military relay platform – in an adjacent hall of the S5 facility.
To be operated by JSAT Corp. of Tokyo, JCSAT-10 is to provide supply fixed satellite services for Japan, the Asia-Pacific region and Hawai`i.
The 4,000-kilogram (8,800-pound) spacecraft was built by Lockheed Martin Commercial Space Systems in Newtown, Pa., and carries 30 Ku-band high-power transponders and 12C-band transponders. After its launch by Ariane 5, the satellite will be will be positioned at 128 degrees east longitude in geosynchronous orbit.
Syracuse 3B will have a liftoff mass of 3,700 kilograms (8,140 pounds) and will operate in the SHF (super high frequency) and EHF (extremely high frequency) bands.
Produced by Europe's Alcatel Alenia Space for the French DGA defense procurement agency, the satellite has been hardened to resist nuclear attack and is to offer significantly enhanced service in terms of data throughout and resistance to countermeasures.
