On Wednesday, August 4, Arianespace orbited the NILESAT 201 direct broadcast satellite for the Egyptian operator Nilesat, and the RASCOM-QAF1R communications satellite for the pan-African operator RascomStar-QAF. Both satellites were built by Thales Alenia Space.
READ: ARIANE V201 MISSION BOOK: READ FREE VIDEO ARIANE 5 LAUNCH CLIP (CREDIT: CNES) • WATCH VIDEO DOWNLOADS FOR ALL-ACCESS MEMBERS ARIANE 5 LAUNCH CLIP (CREDIT: CNES) • DOWNLOAD This latest successful launch of Ariane 5, the third in 2010, once again proves the launcher’s operational capabilities. Ariane 5 is the only commercial satellite launcher now on the market capable of simultaneously launching two payloads and handling a complete range of missions, from commercial launches into geostationary orbit to scientific satellites boosted into special orbits. Overall, the launch marked the 52nd Ariane 5 launch and the rocket's 38th success in a row. The 52nd launch of an Ariane 5, and the 38th successful mission in a row, clearly confirms the launcher’s reliability and availability. Arianespace’s launch Service & Solutions continue to set the global standard and guarantee independent access to space for all customers, including national and international space agencies, private firms and governments. “This was the 38th consecutive launch success for Ariane 5,” said Arianespace Chairman & CEO Jean-Yves Le Gall in comments after the flight. “Since the start of 2010, we already have launched six large telecommunications satellites – which, I want to underscore – is more than all our competitors combined.” With this evening’s mission, Arianespace has now orbited six out of eleven commercial communications satellites launched worldwide since the beginning of the year, or more than half of the total. At the same time, Arianespace has signed nine new launch contracts for geostationary satellites to be orbited by Ariane 5, and five contracts for dedicated Soyuz launches, a new record. Arianespace has developed a close relationship with Nilesat over the last dozen years. NILESAT 201 was the third satellite launched by Arianespace for this operator, following NILESAT 101 and NILESAT 102, launched in 1998 and 2000, respectively. This was Arianespace’s second launch for the pan-African operator RascomStar-QAF, following the operator’s first satellite, RASCOM-QAF1, launched in December 2007. NILESAT 201, based on a Spacebus 4000B2 platform, weighed nearly 3,200 kg at launch. Fitted with 24 Ku-band and four Ka-band transponders, it will provide broadband direct-to-home (DTH) television broadcast services to North Africa and the Middle East. It will be positioned at 7 degrees West and offers a design life exceeding 15 years. “After the launch of NILESAT 101 in 1998 and Nilesat 102 in 2000, we are extremely proud to mark a new step in our partnership this evening,” Le Gall said. RASCOM-QAF1R, based on a Spacebus 4000B3 platform, is a high-power satellite equipped with 12 Ku-band and eight C-band transponders. It weighed 3,050 kg at launch, and will offer end-of-life power of 6.6 kW. Positioned at 2.85 degrees East, its footprint will cover the entire African continent, as well as parts of Europe and the Middle East, with a design life of 15 years. It will provide communications services in rural parts of Africa, including long-distance domestic and international links, direct TV broadcasts and Internet access. “With this new satellite, the African continent – along with portions of Europe and the Middle East – will receive innovative services, which are fundamental for the rapid development of telecommunications in these regions of the world,” Le Gall stated. NILESAT 201 and RASCOM-QAF1R were built by Thales Alenia Space.
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