Arianespace successfully launched the HELIOS 2B observation satellite today following a relatively rare daytime launch for Europe's heavy-lift booster. Following a flight lasting 59 minutes and 20 seconds, the Ariane 5 launch vehicle precisely injected the HELIOS 2B satellite into its sun-synchronous polar orbit. This mission was carried out from Europe's Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana. Liftoff was on Friday, December 18, 2009 at 1:26 p.m. local time in Kourou (11:26 EST).
READ: HELIOS 2B MISSION KIT FREE VIDEOS: WATCH VIDEO: ARIANE 5 LIFTS OFF WITH HELIOS 2B ALL-ACCESS SUBSCRIBERS: DOWNLOAD VIDEO: REPLAY OF HELIOS 2B LAUNCH COVERAGE DOWNLOAD VIDEO: REPLAY OF SCRUBBED LAUNCH ATTEMPT 12/17/09 The year-ending flight utilized an Ariane 5-GS version of Arianespace’s workhorse launcher. This was the final 5GS version of the Ariane 5 which has been upgraded to the more powerful Ariane 5-ECA version with a cryogenic upper stage. “While Ariane very often is cited as an example of political cooperation, technical accomplishment, industrial realization or commercial achievement, I can say that after experiencing the many successes as today’s flight, it above all is a formidable human adventure,” Arianespace Chairman & CEO Jean-Yves Le Gall said. “This string of uninterrupted success is the anniversary present that we all have dreamed about for these 30 years. For those who have made it happen: Bravo!” HELIOS 2B is an element of the second-generation spaceborne observation system for security and defense applications, conducted by France in conjunction with Belgium, Greece, Italy and Spain. The program manager is the French DGA defense procurement agency DGA (Direction Générale de l’Armement) – a part of the French Ministry of Defense, which has assigned contracting authority for the space segment to CNES (Centre National d’Etudes Spatiales), the French space agency. Helios 2B weighed approximately 4,200 kg. at liftoff, and is the second platform in a new-generation military spaceborne observation system created by France in conjunction with Belgium, Spain, Italy and Greece. The satellite was produced by EADS Astrium as prime contractor, and the spacecraft’s European industrial team included Thales Alenia Space, which supplied the reconnaissance satellite’s high resolution imaging instrument. Managing the Helios 2 program is the French DGA (Direction générale de l’armement) defense procurement agency. The DGA assigned contracting authority for the space segment to the country’s CNES space agency – which as the direct customer for Arianespace on this mission. Ariane vehicles have orbited all of the Helios 2 and Helios 1-series satellites, beginning with Helios 1A in July 1995, and followed by Helios 1B in 1999 and Helios 2A in 2004. The Ariane 5 launcher is a key to the development of a common European security and defense policy, in which the space segment plays a pivotal role. HELIOS 2B was the 33rd military payload to be lofted by the European launcher. With this launch, Ariane 5 has once again demonstrated its ability to handle a complete range of missions, from government launches into sun-synchronous orbit to the largest payloads into geostationary orbit. It was the third time in 2009 that Arianespace’s workhorse launcher carried defense and security payloads. On its year-opening mission in February, Ariane 5 lofted two Spirale satellite demonstrators for a French-developed future early warning system, while its October 1 flight deployed the COMSATBw-1 secure telecommunications platform for Germany’s armed forces. Le Gall said these missions “underscore the strategic nature” of Arianespace’s role as a launch services provider, and confirms the access to space provided by a system that is backed by European governments and its space industry. “During the past 30 years, our company has launched 277 satellites – 32 of which were for the requirements of European defense,” Le Gall added. “This will continue in the future: with 10 new contracts signed in 2009 – soon 11 – we have once again led the pack, and our order book guarantees the launch rate of six to seven Ariane 5s annually for the years to come.” This was the 49th launch of an Ariane 5, the 7th in 2009 and the 35th successful launch in a row. (Content and video courtesy Arianespace and CNES)
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