BY SPACEFLIGHT NOW

Follow the preparations and launch of the Arianespace Ariane 4 rocket carrying the JCSAT-8 and Astra-3A communications satellites. Reload this page for the very latest on the mission.

FRIDAY, MARCH 29, 2002

A pair of Japanese and European satellites, both built in the U.S. by Boeing, shared a ride into space Thursday night atop an Arianespace Ariane 4 rocket. Read our full launch story.

0200 GMT (9:00 p.m. EST)

Arianespace has confirmed tonight's launch successfully delivered JCSAT-8 and Astra-3A into the proper orbit. This marks the 68th success in a row for the Ariane 4 rocket dating back to 1995.

We'll have a full wrap-up story and pictures a bit later this evening.

0158 GMT (8:58 p.m. EST)

Engineers are now reviewing the data to verify all was successful tonight.

0156 GMT (8:56 p.m. EST)

Plus+27 minutes, 17 seconds. SPACECRAFT SEPARATION! The European Astra-3A direct-to-home television broadcast spacecraft has been released into space from the Ariane 4 rocket's third stage, completing tonight's launch of the Ariane 4 rocket.

0154 GMT (8:54 p.m. EST)

Plus+25 minutes, 7 seconds. The Mini-Spelda payload adapter structure that enables two satellites to be stacked atop each other for launch atop one Ariane rocket has been separated. This clears the way for the deployment of Astra-3A in about two minutes.

0153 GMT (8:53 p.m. EST)

Plus+24 minutes. Altitude 846 km, velocity 9.1 km/sec.

0150 GMT (8:50 p.m. EST)

Plus+21 minutes, 37 seconds. SPACECRAFT SEPARATION! The Japanese JCSAT-8 telecommunications satellite has been released into space from the Ariane 4 rocket's third stage.

The rocket will soon eject the dual payload adapter, called Mini-Spelda, to expose Astra-3A in preparation for its deployment.

0149 GMT (8:49 p.m. EST)

Plus+20 minutes, 45 seconds. About 45 seconds to deployment of JCSAT-8. Altitude 442 km, velocity 9.54 km/sec.

0148 GMT (8:48 p.m. EST)

Plus+19 minutes, 30 seconds. Altitude 343 km, velocity 9.63 km/sec.

0148 GMT (8:48 p.m. EST)

Plus+19 minutes. Confirmation of third stage shut down, completing the powered phase of flight. Orbit has been achieved. The stage will now provide the necessary pointing for deployment of the JCSAT-8 spacecraft over the next two-and-a-half minutes.

0147 GMT (8:47 p.m. EST)

Plus+18 minutes, 20 seconds. Standing by for cutoff of the third stage. Vehicle parameters and trajectory all reported normal.

0147 GMT (8:47 p.m. EST)

Plus+18 minutes. The Libreville tracking station in Africa has acquired the rocket's signal. Altitude is 269 km, velocity 9.27 km/sec.

0146 GMT (8:46 p.m. EST)

Plus+17 minutes, 20 seconds. About 90 seconds remaining in the third stage burn. Altitude is 250.4 km, velocity 8.9 km/sec.

0145 GMT (8:45 p.m. EST)

Plus+16 minutes, 15 seconds. The Ariane 4 is now gaining altitude again. Altitude is 232.7 km, velocity 8.4 km/sec.

0144 GMT (8:44 p.m. EST)

Plus+15 minutes, 25 seconds. Altitude 228 km, velocity 8.2 km/sec.

0143 GMT (8:43 p.m. EST)

Plus+14 minutes, 10 seconds. The Ariane rocket continues to gain speed. Altitude is 229 km, velocity 7.6 km/sec.

0141 GMT (8:41 p.m. EST)

Plus+12 minutes, 45 seconds. Altitude is 237.4 km, velocity 7.1 km/sec.

0141 GMT (8:41 p.m. EST)

Plus+12 minutes, 15 seconds. The Ascension Island tracking station in the Atlantic Ocean has acquired the rocket's signal as it heads eastward away from South America.

0140 GMT (8:40 p.m. EST)

Plus+11 minutes, 45 seconds. Altitude is 243.5 km, velocity 6.8 km/sec.

0140 GMT (8:40 p.m. EST)

Plus+11 minutes. This is now the period in flight where the Ariane rocket gives up some altitude in order to gain speed. Altitude is 246.8 km, velocity 6.6 km/sec.

0139 GMT (8:39 p.m. EST)

Plus+10 minutes, 20 seconds. Altitude 248.0 km, velocity 6.4 km/sec.

0138 GMT (8:38 p.m. EST)

Plus+9 minutes, 30 seconds. Altitude 246.3 km, velocity 6.1 km/sec.

0137 GMT (8:37 p.m. EST)

Plus+8 minutes, 15 seconds. Data from the rocket continues to indicate all is well. Altitude 235 km, velocity 5.8 km/sec.

0136 GMT (8:36 p.m. EST)

Plus+7 minutes. The Natal tracking station in Brazil has picked up the rocket's signal as it travels downrange. Altitude is 211 km, velocity 5.5 km/sec.

0135 GMT (8:35 p.m. EST)

Plus+6 minutes, 30 seconds. Altitude is 198 km, velocity 5.5 km/sec.

0134 GMT (8:34 p.m. EST)

Plus+5 minutes, 50 seconds. The second stage has burned out and separated. And the cryogenic upper stage has ignited for its lengthy burn to deliver the dual satellite payload into the desired geosynchronous transfer orbit.

0134 GMT (8:34 p.m. EST)

Plus+5 minutes, 20 seconds. No problems reported by Arianespace thus far in the flight of the Ariane 4 rocket. Altitude is 157 km, velocity 5.0 km/sec.

0133 GMT (8:33 p.m. EST)

Plus+4 minutes, 45 seconds. The payload fairing has been jettisoned since it is no longer needed to shield the JCSAT-8 and Astra-3A spacecraft.

0133 GMT (8:33 p.m. EST)

Plus+4 minutes, 10 seconds. Altitude is 114 km, velocity 3.4 km/sec.

0132 GMT (8:32 p.m. EST)

Plus+3 minutes, 45 seconds. The second stage has now ignited.

0132 GMT (8:32 p.m. EST)

Plus+3 minutes, 35 seconds. The four first stage main engines have shut down and stage separation confirmed.

0132 GMT (8:32 p.m. EST)

Plus+3 minutes. Altitude 63.8 km, velocity 2.2 km/sec.

0131 GMT (8:31 p.m. EST)

Plus+2 minutes, 35 seconds. The four liquid-propellant strap-on boosters have shut down and jettisoned from the base of the Ariane 4 rocket to fall into the Atlantic Ocean below. The first stage main engines are still burning to continue the climb to orbit.

0131 GMT (8:31 p.m. EST)

Plus+2 minutes. Altitude 25.5 km, velocity 0.93 km/sec.

0130 GMT (8:30 p.m. EST)

Plus+1 minute, 30 seconds. Vehicle systems reported normal. Altitude 12.3 km, velocity 0.4 km/sec.

0130 GMT (8:30 p.m. EST)

Plus+1 minute. Altitude 4.4 km, velocity 0.2 km/sec.

0129 GMT (8:29 p.m. EST)

Plus+30 seconds. Ariane has pitched to the proper eastward trajectory away from the launch site as it disappeared into the clouds. The rocket is riding the thrust of eight engines -- four liquid-fueled main engines and four liquid-fueled strap-on boosters.

0129 GMT (8:29 p.m. EST)

LIFTOFF! Liftoff of the Ariane 4 rocket carrying a pair of communications satellites for Japan and Europe. And the vehicle has cleared the tower!

0128 GMT (8:28 p.m. EST)

Minus-30 seconds. The three-stage rocket is set to deliver the JCSAT-8 and Astra-3A satellites into a geosynchronous transfer orbit of approximately 250 km on the low end and 35,786 km on the high end, with an inclination of 4 degrees. Ariane 4 is going for its 68th consecutive successful launch.

0128 GMT (8:28 p.m. EST)

Minus-1 minute. Equipment aboard the Ariane 44L rocket is being switched off ground-supplied power and to onboard batteries for launch.

In the final seconds of the countdown, activities will include releasing the inertial platform at minus 9 seconds, and the release command to the retraction system for the two cryogenic arms will be given at Minus-5 seconds.

0127 GMT (8:27 p.m. EST)

Minus-90 seconds and counting. The local tracking stations at the launch site should have a firm lock on the rocket at this time.

0127 GMT (8:27 p.m. EST)

Minus-2 minutes and counting. The third stage liquid oxygen tank has been pressurized for the launch.

0126 GMT (8:26 p.m. EST)

Minus-3 minutes and counting.

0125 GMT (8:25 p.m. EST)

Minus-4 minutes and counting. The launch team is monitoring the final topping off of liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen supplies aboard the rocket's third stage.

In the next half-minute, the launch time will be loaded aboard the Ariane rocket's guidance system. Also, the JCSAT-8 and Astra-3A spacecraft will be confirmed on internal power and declared ready for launch.

0123 GMT (8:23 p.m. EST)

Minus-6 minutes and counting. The synchronized launch sequence has started. Computers are now in control of this final portion of the launch countdown. Liftoff is set for 0129 GMT (8:29 p.m. EST).

During the next six minutes, the Ariane 44L rocket, satellite payload and ground systems will be configured for launch. There are two master computers running the countdown. One is responsible for fluids and propellants and the other for final preparation of the electrical systems such as initiating the flight program, activation of the engine steering systems and power transfer from ground supplies to onboard batteries. The computers will control until minus 5 seconds when a majority logic sequencer takes over for first stage engine and liquid strap-on booster start at zero seconds. Engine performance checks are done in parallel by the two computers starting at plus 2.8 seconds. Finally, the command will be issued to open the launch table clamps for liftoff between ignition +plus 4.4 and 4.6 seconds.

0121 GMT (8:21 p.m. EST)

Minus-7 minutes, 30 seconds and counting. Weather conditions at the Guiana Space Center have been reported acceptable for liftoff throughout tonight's available 45-minute launch window. The countdown continues smoothly for blastoff at 0129 GMT.

0118 GMT (8:18 p.m. EST)

Minus-11 minutes and counting. A network of tracking stations are standing ready to relay data from the Ariane 4 rocket to engineers in Kourou. The early portion of flight will be monitored through the Kourou and Cayenne stations in French Guiana. About 6 minutes, 30 seconds into flight the Natal station in Brazil will pick up the rocket's signal as the third stage burn gets underway. At T+plus 12 minutes, 20 seconds the site on Ascension Island in the Atlantic Ocean will begin coverage. Libreville in Gabon will provide services beginning at T+plus 17 minutes, 20 seconds for spacecraft separation and the conclusion of Arianespace Flight 149.

0114 GMT (8:14 p.m. EST)

Minus-15 minutes. Arianespace reports there are no technical problems being worked and the countdown continues on schedule for liftoff as planned at 0129 GMT (8:29 p.m. EST). The weather forecast is also favorable tonight.

0109 GMT (8:09 p.m. EST)

Minus-20 minutes and counting down to tonight's launch of the Ariane 44L rocket with the JCSAT-8 and Astra-3A communications satellites.

The three-stage rocket has been fully fueled and prepared for liftoff at 0129 GMT from the ELA-2 pad at the Guiana Space Center in South America.

Launch team members are watching systems on the Ariane 4 rocket, the spacecraft and ground support equipment. There are no problems being reported. The status panel in the Jupiter control center green across the board, indicating all systems are "go" at this time.

0059 GMT (7:59 p.m. EST)

Minus-30 minutes and counting. The status panel in the Jupiter control center is all green, indicating everything is "go" for the launch of the Ariane 4 rocket in a half-hour.

2245 GMT (5:45 p.m. EST)

The final hours of the countdown are ticking away at the Guiana Space Center for tonight's launch of Arianespace Flight 149 -- an Ariane 44L rocket with the JCSAT-8 and Astra-3A communications satellites. Liftoff is scheduled for 0129 GMT (8:29 p.m. EST), the opening of a 45-minute window.

Watch this page for periodic updates on the countdown and flight starting about 20 minutes before liftoff time when Arianespace starts providing updates from the launch site.

THURSDAY, MARCH 28, 2002

Arianespace says launch of its Ariane 4 rocket carrying two commercial communications satellites remains scheduled for this evening from Kourou, French Guiana. Liftoff time is 8:29 p.m. EST (0129 GMT Friday).

Flight 149 will use an Ariane 44L rocket, the most powerful configuration of the Ariane 4 with four liquid-fueled strap-on boosters clustered around the base of the launcher. This mission will mark the 149th Ariane flight, the 110th launch of an Ariane 4, and the 35th use of the Ariane 44L. After this launch, only six Ariane 4's will remain to be flown before the veteran rocket is retired in favor of the Ariane 5.

The final countdown will commence today at 1259 GMT (7:59 a.m. EST). At 1954 GMT (2:54 p.m. EST), the protective mobile service gantry will begin to roll back away from the rocket. Super-cold liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen will begin flowing into the third stage at 2154 GMT (4:54 p.m. EST). The launcher's telemetry, telecommand, and radar transponder systems will be activated at 0024 GMT (7:24 p.m. EST). At a point six minutes before launch, command of the countdown will be transferred over to computer control. Following this critical milestone, a series of fast-paced events culminate with the ignition of the first stage and four boosters, followed four seconds later by liftoff.

After launch, the Ariane 44L will take a normal ascent profile with a two-minute, 30-second burn of all four boosters and a three-minute, 30-second burn of the first stage's Viking engines. Following first stage jettison, the second stage takes over and fires for another two minutes, during which time the payload fairing is released. The third stage then ignites and burns for over 13 minutes before shutting off in preparation for spacecraft separation. JCSAT-8 is deployed at 21 minutes, 30 seconds and liftoff, followed by Astra 3A at T+27 minutes.

Watch this page for live play-by-play updates during the final portion of the countdown and launch.

TUESDAY, MARCH 26, 2002

Arianespace's fourth mission of 2002 is poised to blast itself skyward Thursday evening, carrying two Boeing-built communications satellites for Japanese and European companies.

The Ariane 4 is scheduled to liftoff at 8:29 p.m. EST (0129 GMT Friday) from ELA-2 at the Guiana Space Center in Kourou, French Guiana. The launch window extends for 45 minutes.

Inside the Ariane 44L's payload fairing is a pair of mid-sized communications satellites destined to provide services to users in parts of Asia and Europe were both built by Boeing Satellite Systems in El Segundo, California.

The JCSAT-8 satellite sits on top of the Ariane's Spelda dual payload carrier and will be deployed into space first during the launch. The craft will position itself in geostationary orbit as such to appear to "hover" above the equator at 154 degrees East, or 22,300 miles above Papua New Guinea. From that vantage point, the spacecraft will use 16 C-band and 16 Ku-band transponders over an expected 11-year mission to provide communications and broadcasting services to Japan, parts of continental Asia, Australia, and Hawaii. It will be operated by JSAT Corp. of Tokyo.

The 5,735-pound JCSAT-8 was built by Boeing and is based on their Boeing 601 model of communications satellites. JCSAT-8 will be the 17th Japanese satellite launched by an Ariane rocket.

The Astra 3A spacecraft sits inside the Spelda adapter and will be deployed second. Utilizing 20 Ku-band transponders, the 3,289-pound Astra 3A will provide the German-speaking portions of Europe with a new source of cable television and direct-to-home broadcast services from a perch above Congo. Based on the venerable Boeing 376 design, Astra 3A will operate for at least 10 years. It will be operated by SES ASTRA of Luxembourg.

"Both JSAT and SES ASTRA are long-time customers whose business and trust we greatly value," said Randy Brinkley, president of Boeing Satellite Systems. "We delivered our first JSAT satellite in 1989, and our first ASTRA spacecraft in 1993. The fact that both companies have relied on Boeing to provide multiple satellites over the past 12 years is a tremendous endorsement of our technology and customer focus."

Processing for Flight 149 got underway on February 11 with the lifting and placement of the first stage onto the mobile launch table. The second and third stages followed with similar processes on February 12 and February 22. The four liquid-fueled boosters were put into place from February 18 to 22.

Both of Flight 149's payloads arrived at the launch site on March 6 to begin their respective processing flows.

The nearly-complete Ariane 44L rolled from the launcher integration building to the launch pad on March 7.

After being filled with their maneuvering propellant, JCSAT-8 and Astra 3A were enclosed inside the two halves of the Ariane 4's payload fairing on March 21. The payloads and their associated equipment were taken to the launch pad on last Friday for attachment on Saturday.

A launch rehearsal was conducted on Monday for the launch team to refine their skills in preparation for the real countdown on Thursday.

The launch readiness review held on Tuesday formally cleared Flight 149 for launch. Ordnance connections were made on Tuesday afternoon.