Launch News Ariane Flight VA235 to launch SKY Brasil-1 and Telkom 3S (14/2/17 21:39-23:05 UTC)

[Nicholas Kang]

Official Launch Website:http://www.arianespace.com/mission/ariane-flight-va235/

Launch Kit:http://www.arianespace.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/VA235-launchkit-EN.pdf

Press Release:http://www.arianespace.com/press-re...roadcast-satellites-for-brazil-and-indonesia/

Mission Description:

For its second flight of the year from the Guiana Space Center, and the first Ariane 5 launch in 2017, Arianespace will orbit two satellites: SKY Brasil-1 for the operator AT&T/DIRECTV; and Telkom 3S for Telkom Indonesia, within the scope of a turnkey contract with Thales Alenia Space.

Payloads:

SKY Brasil-1 satellite (SKYB-1)

SKY Brasil-1(also known as SKYB-1) will be the 10th satellite launched by Arianespace for the operator AT&T/DIRECTV. The most recent launch was on May 27, 2015, lofting SKY México-1 and DIRECTV 15 on the same Ariane 5.

AT&T/DIRECTV, a world leading provider of digital television programs, will use the SKYB-1 satellite via its DIRECTV Latin America subsidiary – which offers services to 12,5 million subscribers in Latin America primarily Venezuela, Argentina, Chile, Colombia, and Brazil.

SKYB-1 is a high-definition television (HDTV) broadcast satellite. Weighing approximately 6,000 kg. at launch, it is fitted with 60 Ku-band transponders. SKYB-1 will be positioned at 43.1° West, and will cover Brazil.

The satellite was built by Airbus Defence and Space in Toulouse, France, using the Eurostar E3000 platform. It is the 116th spacecraft from this manufacturer and its predecessors to be launched by Arianespace.

Arianespace’s order book includes 17 more Airbus Defence and Space satellites to be launched.

Telkom 3S

Telkom 3S will be the third satellite entrusted to Arianespace by Telkom Indonesia within the scope of a turnkey contract with Thales Alenia Space.

Telkom Indonesia is an Indonesian state-owned company that supplies telecommunications, information, media and entertainment services (TIMES) to millions of customers throughout the Indonesian archipelago.

Telkom 3S will provide high-definition television services (HDTV), as well as mobile communications and internet applications.

Positioned at 118° East, Telkom 3S will provide C-band coverage of Indonesia and Southeast Asia, while extended C-band beams will cover Indonesia and part of Malaysia. It also is fitted with Ku-band transponders dedicated to national coverage.

Telkom 3S will be the 146th satellite built by Thales Alenia Space and its predecessors to be launched by Arianespace. It was built in Toulouse and Cannes, France, using a Spacebus 4000B2 platform.

The Arianespace order book includes nine more Thales Alenia Space satellites to be launched.

Launch Vehicle Configuration:

Mission Profile:

Countdown and Flight Events:

Time|Events
T-11H 23MN|Start of final countdown
T-10H 33MN|Check of electrical systems
T-04H 23MN|Start of filling of EPC with liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen
T-03H 18MN|Chilldown of Vulcain main stage engine
T-03H 43MN|Start of filling of ESC-A with liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen
T-01H 15MN|Check of connections between launcher and the telemetry, tracking and command systems
T-00H 7MN|“All systems go” report, allowing start of synchronized sequence
T-00H 4MN|Tanks pressurized for flight
T-00H 1MN|Switch to onboard power mode
T-00H 5S|Opening command for the cryogenic arms
T-00H 4S|Onboard systems take over
LIFTOFF!|00:00
T+00H 13S|End of vertical climb, beginning of pitch motion
T+00H 17S|Beginning of roll maneuver
T+00H 2MN 20S|EAP separation
T+00H 3MN 21S|Fairing jettisoned
T+00H 7MN 49S|Acquisition by Natal tracking station
T+00H 8MN 55S|End of EPC thrust phase
T+00H 9MN 1S|EPC separation
T+00H 9MN 5S|Ignition of ESC-A stage
T+00H 13MN 41S|Acquisition by Ascension tracking station
T+00H 18MN 26S|Data acquisition by Libreville tracking station
T+00H 23MN 10S|Acquisition by Malindi tracking station
T+00H 25MN 16S|Injection
T+00H 27MN 25S|SKY Brasil-1 satellite separation
T+00H 29MN 16S|SYLDA separation
T+00H 39MN 43S|Telkom 3S satellite separation
T+00H 53MN 30S|End of the Arianespace mission

Gallery:

December 21, 2016. Ariane 5 after installation of its “upper composite” section.

January 23, 2017. SKY Brasil-1 undergoes its fit-check with the Ariane 5 adapter.

January 23, 2017. Telkom-3S is installed on a dolly for its pre-launch preparations.

January 31, 2017. Ariane 5 is transferred to the Spaceport’s Final Assembly Building. Flight VA235.

February 6, 2017. Sky Brasil-1 is fueled in the Spaceport’s S5 payload processing facility.

February 6, 2017. The Telkom 3S satellite is fueled for its Arianespace Ariane 5 flight.

February 6, 2017. Decals for Telkom 3S are installed on the payload fairing.

February 6, 2017. Affixed on the payload fairing’s upper position are logos for the SKY Brasil-1 satellite.