14.11.2019
Egypt’s TIBA-1 satellite is “fit” for its Arianespace Ariane 5 launch
Processing is now underway with the TIBA-1 satellite passenger for Arianespace’s next dual-payload Ariane 5 mission, which is scheduled for a November liftoff from the Spaceport in French Guiana.
TIBA-1 undergoes its fit-check with the interface adapter used for integration on Arianespace’s Ariane 5 launcher.
Preparations so far have included TIBA-1’s fit-check – an initial milestone validating the satellite’s compatibility with the adapter that will serve as the payload interface with Ariane 5 – which was performed in the Spaceport’s S5 payload preparation facility’s S5C large clean room hall.
TIBA-1 will occupy the upper passenger position in Ariane 5’s dual-payload configuration on the upcoming mission, which is designated Flight VA250 in Arianespace’s numbering system. Its co-passenger – Inmarsat’s fifth Global Xpress satellite, GX5 – is scheduled to arrive at the Spaceport this week.
Enhancing Egyptian communications
Based on the Eurostar E3000 satellite platform, TIBA-1 was developed by Airbus for operation by the government of Egypt and Thales Alenia Space. This communications spacecraft will weigh approximately 5,640 kg. at liftoff and was designed for a service life exceeding 15 years.
Flight VA250 will mark Arianespace’s fourth mission in 2019 with a heavy-lift Ariane 5 and the eighth this year across its full family of launchers – which also includes the medium-lift Soyuz and lightweight Vega.
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Inmarsat GX5 is prepared for Arianespace’s next Ariane 5 launch from the Spaceport
Inmarsat GX5 is removed from its protective shipping container during activity inside the S5 payload preparation facility’s S5C large clean room hall.
The fifth Global Xpress satellite – Inmarsat GX5 – is getting its first look inside the Spaceport’s S5 payload preparation facility as pre-flight activity continues for Arianespace’s Ariane 5 mission in November.
Inmarsat GX5 was removed from its protective shipping container after being delivered late last week from France – where the spacecraft was produced by Thales Alenia Space – to French Guiana via cargo jetliner. The satellite subsequently was transferred by road to the Spaceport for payload processing.
The Inmarsat GX5 satellite is one of two passengers to be orbited on Arianespace’s next Ariane 5 flight, joining TIBA-1 – a communications spacecraft for Egypt, developed by Thales Alenia Space and Airbus as co-prime contractors, with Thales Alenia Space acting as lead partner of the contract. TIBA-1 arrived at the Spaceport earlier this month and is advancing through its own pre-flight preparations.
Expanding the Global Xpress network
Inmarsat GX5 is a very high throughput communications satellite that will be fully integrated into Inmarsat’s current Global Xpress high-speed network – with a coverage area that is to include the Middle East, Europe and the Indian sub-continent.
Based on Thales Alenia Space’s upgraded Spacebus 4000 B2 platform, Inmarsat GX5 will deliver double the capacity of the entire existing Global Xpress fleet of satellites. It was designed for an operational lifetime of 16 years and will weigh approximately four metric tons at liftoff.
Arianespace’s launch of TIBA-1 and Inmarsat GX5 – designated Flight VA250 – will be the fourth mission in 2019 with a heavy-lift Ariane 5 and the eighth this year across the company’s family of launchers, which also includes the medium-lift Soyuz and lightweight Vega.
Quelle: arianespace
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Update: 18.11.2019
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Flight VA250: Arianespace will orbit TIBA-1 and Inmarsat GX5 with Ariane 5
On its fourth flight with Ariane 5 in 2019, Arianespace will orbit two telecommunications satellites at the service of long-term customers: TIBA-1 for Thales Alenia Space and Airbus Defence and Space, on behalf of the Government of Egypt; and the GX5 satellite for the operator Inmarsat.
Through this mission, Arianespace highlights its ability to be at the service of innovative satellite solutions for commercial and institutional needs.
VA250 will be the 250th launch of an Ariane rocket, which lifted off for the first time on December 24, 1979.
Flight VA250 will be performed from Ariane Launch Complex No. 3 (ELA 3) in Kourou, French Guiana.
The Launch Readiness Review (LRR) will take place on Wednesday, November 20, 2019 in Kourou to authorize the start of operations for the final countdown.
TIBA-1 is a civil and government telecommunication satellite for Egypt. It was developed by Thales Alenia Space and Airbus Defence and Space as co-prime contractors, with Thales Alenia Space acting as the consortium’s lead partner. TIBA-1 will be owned and operated by the government of Egypt.
TIBA-1 will be the fourth satellite launched by Arianespace for Egypt. It will be deployed by Arianespace into geostationary transfer orbit (GTO), subsequently transitioning to its operational orbital slot position at 35.5° East.
Airbus Defence and Space is Arianespace’s direct customer for this mission, continuing a fruitful cooperation between the two companies that extends back to Arianespace’s creation in 1980.
GX5 is a mobile communications satellite built by Thales Alenia Space for Inmarsat. Inmarsat’s fifth Ka-band Global Xpress (GX) satellite, GX5 will be the most advanced in the GX fleet, which in less than four years has become the gold standard for seamless, globally available, mobile broadband services.
Located in a geostationary orbit at 11° East, GX5 will deliver greater capacity than the entire existing GX fleet (GX1-GX4) combined and will support the rapid growth in customer demand for GX services in Europe and the Middle East, particularly for aviation passenger Wi-Fi and commercial maritime services.
This is the 10th time that Inmarsat has chosen Arianespace’s launch services, demonstrating a well-established trust – with the two companies’ relationship dating back to 1981.
For further information, download the Flight VA250 Launch Kit by clicking here: http://www.arianespace.com/press-kits/
To watch a live, high-speed online transmission of the launch (including commentary in French and English from the launch site), go to arianespace.com or to youtube.com/arianespace on November 22, 2019, beginning 20 minutes before liftoff.
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Quelle: arianespace
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Update: 22.11.2019 / 7.25 MEZ
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Countdown:
Quelle: arianespace
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Update: 21.45 MEZ
Quelle: arianespace
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24.11.2019 / 10.30 MEZ
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Postponement for Arianespace Flight VA250
Due to a power supply anomaly in the ground segment of the Ariane 5 launch complex, the final chronology for Flight VA250 was stopped at 20 minutes prior to liftoff (H0-20), leading to a launch postponement.
The Ariane 5 stages have been emptied of their propellant. The launcher and its two satellite passengers – TIBA-1 and Inmarsat GX5 – remain in a safe mode at the Spaceport.
The ongoing investigation has led to a new targeted launch date of Sunday, November 24, 2019 at the earliest.
Quelle: arianespace
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14.45 MEZ
Flight #VA250 update: investigation continues to resolve the ground segment power supply anomaly that postponed #Ariane5’s liftoff. No launch today. Launcher and the two satellites remain in a safe mode at the #Spaceport.
Quelle: arianespace
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Update: 25.11.2019 / 8.00 MEZ
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New targeted date for Flight VA250: November 25, 2019 – Ariane 5 with TIBA-1 and Inmarsat GX5
The investigation on the power supply in the ground segment of the Ariane 5 launch complex along with associated checks allow to restart the launch chronology of Arianespace Flight VA250.
The new targeted launch date is Monday, November 25, 2019, as soon as possible within the following window:
- Between 4:08 p.m. and 5:53 p.m. Washington, D.C. time
- Between 6:08 p.m. and 7:53 p.m. Kourou, French Guiana time
- Between 21:08 and 22:53 Universal / London Time (UTC/UK time)
- Between 10:08 p.m. and 11:53 p.m. Paris time, on the night of November 25
- Between 11:08 p.m. and 00:53 a.m. Cairo time, during the night of November 25 to 26
The launcher and its two satellite passengers – TIBA-1 and Inmarsat GX5 – are being maintained in fully safe conditions and in stand-by mode.
This mission VA250 will orbit TIBA-1 satellite for Thales Alenia Space and Airbus Defence and Space, on behalf of the Government of Egypt; and the GX5 satellite for the operator Inmarsat.
Quelle: arianespace
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Update: 18.30 MEZ
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Flight VA250: Ariane 5 with TIBA-1 and Inmarsat GX5 – Delayed 24-hours due to weather conditions
Due to unfavorable weather conditions over the Guiana Space Center in Kourou, Arianespace has decided to delay the Flight VA250 by 24 hours.
As a clear amelioration is foreseen in the 24 hours, the new targeted launch date is Tuesday, November 26, 2019, as soon as possible within the following launch window:
- Between 4:09 p.m. and 5:54 p.m. Washington, D.C. time
- Between 6:09 p.m. and 7:54 p.m. Kourou, French Guiana time
- Between 21:09 and 22:54 Universal / London Time (UTC/UK time)
- Between 10:09 p.m. and 11:54 p.m. Paris time, on the night of November 26
- Between 11:09 p.m. and 00:54 a.m. Cairo time, during the night of November 26 to 27
The launcher and its two satellite passengers – TIBA-1 and Inmarsat GX5 – are being maintained in fully safe conditions and in stand-by mode.
Quelle: arianespace
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Update: 27.11.2019
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Quelle: arianespace