BY SPACEFLIGHT NOW

Follow the preparations and launch of the Arianespace Ariane 5 rocket carrying the Stellat 5 and N-STAR c communications satellites. Reload this page for the very latest on the mission.

FRIDAY, JULY 5, 2002

Europe's Ariane 5 rocket launched its first commercial communications satellite payload in a year on Friday night, lofting French and Japanese spacecraft into Earth orbit.

The Ariane 512 vehicle blasted off from Kourou, French Guiana at 2322 GMT (7:22 p.m. EDT), one minute later than planned according to the Arianespace broadcast of the launch. The company didn't say what prompted the change.

About 27 minutes later, the launcher achieved a geosynchronous transfer orbit with a low point of 578.9 km, high point of 35,855 km and inclination of 5.49 degrees to the equator.

The orbit was well within acceptable parameters, giving Ariane 5 its second consecutive success since returning to flight on March 1 carrying the European Space Agency's Envisat environmental research satellite. The rocket was grounded nearly eight months after suffering an upper stage failure a year ago next week.

After orienting itself in orbit, the Ariane's upper stage deployed the French Stellat 5 satellite just shy of 30 minutes into the flight.

Built by Alcatel Space, Stellat 5 will be maneuvered into a circular geostationary orbit 36,000 km above the equator where it'll match the Earth's rotation, appearing fixed above 5 degrees West longitude.

The satellite is the key to a venture between France Telecom and Europe*Star. The endeavor will use the craft to provide video, radio and Internet access services to Europe, Africa, the Middle East and the east coast of the Americas.

"Stellat 5 was designed with four things in mind: power, coverage, flexibility, and reliability," says Dominique Thebault, CEO of Stellat. "Those qualities are essential for any satellite that sets out to serve the needs of today's broadcasters and Internet providers while at the same time paving the way for the next-generation of convergent applications... and that's exactly what Stellat intends to do."

Stellat 5 rode atop the Sylda structure that allows the Ariane 5 to carry two payloads at once. With Stellat 5 deployed, the barrel-like adapter was jettisoned from around N-Star c, which was built in the U.S. by Orbital Sciences and Lockheed Martin for Japan's NTT Mobile Communications Network, or NTT DoCoMo.

N-Star c will also boost itself into geostationary orbit to assume a parking slot at 136 degrees East longitude. The satellite is designed to relay mobile telephone and data transmissions to users across Japan.

NTT DoCoMo is Japan's leading mobile communications company, providing wireless voice and data communications to tens of millions of subscribers. The firm already has two satellites in orbit; N-Star c is supposed to offer better signal strength than the other spacecraft, allowing customers to use smaller phones.

Next up for Arianespace will be another Ariane 5 flight on August 27. The booster will carry the Eutelsat Atlantic Bird 1 communications satellite and Eumetsat's MSG 1 weather satellite.

Arianespace just announced Friday the deal to launch Atlantic Bird 1 under a contract with satellite maker Alenia Spazio. The craft was originally slated to fly aboard a Chinese Long March rocket, but troubles with export laws forced the change in launchers.

2359 GMT (7:59 p.m. EDT)

Plus+37 minutes. SPACECRAFT SEPARATION! The American-built N-Star c mobile communications satellite for Japan has been deployed by the Ariane 5 rocket, completing tonight's launch.

Applause has erupted in the launch control center.

2358 GMT (7:58 p.m. EDT)

Plus+36 minutes, 37 seconds. The spin-up for N-Star has started.

2353 GMT (7:53 p.m. EDT)

Plus+32 minutes, 50 seconds. The Sylda 5 dual payload adapter has been jettisoned. The Stellat 5 satellite sat atop this barrel-like structure during launch and enclosed N-Star c. Now that Sylda has separated, the upper stage will maneuver itself and prepare for deployment of N-Star c.

2351 GMT (7:51 p.m. EDT)

Plus+29 minutes, 50 seconds. SPACECRAFT SEPARATION! The French Stellat 5 communications satellite has been released into space from the Ariane 5 rocket.

The upper stage will now reorient for jettison of the Sylda dual payload structure. Once Sylda is separated, N-Star c can been deployed.

2351 GMT (7:51 p.m. EDT)

Plus+29 minutes. Spin-up is now underway for spacecraft release.

2351 GMT (7:51 p.m. EDT)

Plus+29 minutes. About a minute from deployment of Stellat 5.

2350 GMT (7:50 p.m. EDT)

Plus+28 minutes. No problems reported by Arianespace. Altitude 1941 km, velocity is 8.35 km/sec.

2348 GMT (7:48 p.m. EDT)

Plus+26 minutes, 30 seconds. The upper stage has shut down to complete powered flight for the launch. The stage will provide proper pointing for deployment of the first satellite tonight -- Stellat 5.

2348 GMT (7:48 p.m. EDT)

Plus+26 minutes. Less than a minute to go in the upper stage burn. Altitude 1567 km, velocity is 8.57 km/sec.

2347 GMT (7:47 p.m. EDT)

Plus+25 minutes. Altitude 1397 km, velocity is 8.5 km/sec.

2346 GMT (7:46 p.m. EDT)

Plus+24 minutes. Altitude 1242 km, velocity is 8.48 km/sec.

2345 GMT (7:45 p.m. EDT)

Plus+23 minutes. Altitude 1099 km, velocity is 8.43 km/sec.

2344 GMT (7:44 p.m. EDT)

Plus+22 minutes. The Malindi, Kenya island tracking station in Africa has picked up the rocket's signal. Altitude is 969 km, velocity over 8.39 km/sec.

2343 GMT (7:43 p.m. EDT)

Plus+21 minutes. Altitude 878 km, velocity is 8.35 km/sec.

2342 GMT (7:42 p.m. EDT)

Plus+20 minutes. Altitude 744 km, velocity is 8.31 km/sec.

2341 GMT (7:41 p.m. EDT)

Plus+19 minutes. Altitude 648 km, velocity is 8.27 km/sec.

2339 GMT (7:39 p.m. EDT)

Plus+17 minutes. Less than 10 minutes left in the burn of the Ariane 5 rocket's upper stage. Altitude 497 km, velocity is 8.18 km/sec.

2338 GMT (7:38 p.m. EDT)

Plus+16 minutes, 10 seconds. Altitude 428 km, velocity is 8.1 km/sec.

2337 GMT (7:37 p.m. EDT)

Plus+15 minutes. Altitude 360 km, velocity is 8.09 km/sec.

2336 GMT (7:36 p.m. EDT)

Plus+14 minutes. Altitude 306 km, velocity is 8.0 km/sec.

2334 GMT (7:34 p.m. EDT)

Plus+12 minutes, 30 seconds. The Ascension island tracking station in the Atlantic has picked up the rocket's signal. Altitude is 241 km, velocity over 7.9 km/sec.

2333 GMT (7:33 p.m. EDT)

Plus+11 minutes, 30 seconds. Vehicle parameters reported normal. Altitude 205 km, velocity is 7.8 km/sec.

2332 GMT (7:32 p.m. EDT)

Plus+10 minutes. The main cryogenic stage's Vulcain engine has cut off and the spent stage has separated. It will fall back into the atmosphere. And the upper stage, the storable propellant stage, has now ignited for it's long-duration burn.

2331 GMT (7:31 p.m. EDT)

Plus+9 minutes, 30 seconds. Ariane is gaining altitude again. Altitude 142 km, velocity is 7.7 km/sec.

2331 GMT (7:31 p.m. EDT)

Plus+9 minutes. Coming up on main stage shutdown in about one minute. Altitude currently 135 km, velocity is 6.9 km/sec.

2330 GMT (7:30 p.m. EDT)

Plus+8 minutes, 20 seconds. The Natal tracking station in Brazil has picked up the rocket's signal. Altitude is 133 km, velocity over 5 km/sec.

2329 GMT (7:29 p.m. EDT)

Plus+7 minutes, 10 seconds. Altitude is 141.9 km, velocity is 4.7 km/sec.

2327 GMT (7:27 p.m. EDT)

Plus+5 minutes, 30 seconds. The rocket has leveled out, no longer climbing in altitude in order to gain speed. Altitude is 148 km, velocity is 3.5 km/sec.

2327 GMT (7:27 p.m. EDT)

Plus+5 minutes. No problems reported to this point in the flight of Ariane 5. The main stage engine continues to fire. Altitude is 144 km, velocity is 3.1 km/sec.

2326 GMT (7:26 p.m. EDT)

Plus+4 minutes. Altitude is 128 km, velocity is 2.6 km/sec.

2325 GMT (7:25 p.m. EDT)

Plus+3 minutes, 30 seconds. The protective payload fairing enclosing the two satellites has been separated from the Ariane 5.

2325 GMT (7:25 p.m. EDT)

Plus+3 minutes. Altitude is 98 km, velocity is 2.23 km/sec.

2324 GMT (7:24 p.m. EDT)

Plus+2 minutes, 30 seconds. The solid rocket boosters have been jettisoned from the Ariane 5 rocket's core stage. The boosters provided 90 percent of the liftoff thrust. The liquid-fueled Vulcain main engine continues to fire to propel the vehicle and its satellite payload to orbit.

2323 GMT (7:23 p.m. EDT)

Plus+1 minute, 30 seconds. About one minute left in the burn by the solid rocket boosters.

2323 GMT (7:23 p.m. EDT)

Plus+1 minute. Vehicle parameters are reported normal.

2322 GMT (7:22 p.m. EDT)

Plus+30 seconds. Rocket has completed its pitch and rolls maneuvers as it heads east from the South American jungle for geosynchronous transfer orbit.

2322 GMT (7:22 p.m. EDT)

LIFTOFF! Liftoff of the Ariane 512 rocket with a dual communications satellite payload for French and Japanese users.

2321 GMT (7:21 p.m. EDT)

Minus-40 seconds. Vehicle now on internal power.

2321 GMT (7:21 p.m. EDT)

Minus-1 minute. A fast-paced series of events leading to launch will begin at Minus 37 seconds when the automated ignition sequence is started. The water suppression system at the launch pad will start at Minus 30 seconds. At Minus 22 seconds, overall control will be given to the onboard computer. The Vulcain main engine will be readied for ignition with hydrogen chilldown starting at Minus 18 seconds. The residual hydrogen burn flares will fire beneath the Vulcain engine at Minus 7 seconds to burn away any free hydrogen gas. At Minus 3 seconds, onboard systems take over and the two inertial guidance systems go to flight mode. Vulcain main engine ignition occurs at Minus 0 seconds with checkout between Plus+4 and 7 seconds. If there are no problems found, the solid rocket boosters are ignited at Plus+7.0 seconds for liftoff at Plus+7.3 seconds.

2319 GMT (7:19 p.m. EDT)

Minus-3 minutes. All systems remain ready for flight. The scheduled launch time has been loaded into the rocket's main computer system. Main stage tank pressures should now be at flight level.

2318 GMT (7:18 p.m. EDT)

Minus-4 minutes. Pressurization now underway for the main cryogenic stage's liquid oxygen and hydrogen tanks. Also, final pyrotechnic arming has started. Liftoff remains planned for 2322 GMT (7:22 p.m. EDT). There has been no explanation from Arianespace what caused the one-minute delay.

2315 GMT (7:15 p.m. EDT)

Minus-7 minutes and counting. Synchronized Sequence start. Computers are now in control of this final segment of the launch countdown to prepare the rocket and ground systems for liftoff. There are two computers running the countdown -- one aboard the Ariane 5 and a redundant one at the ELA-3 launch complex.

2314 GMT (7:14 p.m. EDT)

Minus-8 minutes and counting. The Synchronized Sequence will begin in the next minute to control the countdown through liftoff.

2312 GMT (7:12 p.m. EDT)

Minus-10 minutes and counting. Today's launch will be the 153rd flight of an Ariane rocket and the 12th of the next-generation Ariane 5. It's the 9th commercial mission of an Ariane 5 rocket dating back to 1999.

For 2002, this is the 8th launch overall for Arianespace. Six Ariane 4 rockets and one Ariane 5 rocket have flown so far this year.

2308 GMT (7:08 p.m. EDT)

Minus-14 minutes and counting. Arianespace now says all is going well for tonight's launch.

2300 GMT (7:00 p.m. EDT)

Looks like the countdown is targeting liftoff at 2322 GMT, one minute later than advertised by Arianespace.

2245 GMT (6:45 p.m. EDT)

Approach a half-hour to launch of the Ariane 5 rocket. The status panel in the Jupiter Control Center is all green with no indication of any problems at this time. Arianespace will begin providing updates from the Guiana Space Center starting in about 15 minutes.

FRIDAY, JULY 5, 2002

Work is continuing in the South American jungle in advance of tonight's launch of an Ariane 5 rocket with two communications satellites. Launch is still slated for 2321 GMT (7:21 p.m. EDT) from the ELA-3 launch pad at the Guiana Space Center in Kourou, French Guiana. The launch window extends for 57 minutes.

Preparations for the launch of Stellat 5 and N-Star c began on April 22 with the arrival of the Stellat 5 spacecraft in Kourou from the manufacturing plant in France.

Stellat 5 was fueled with its toxic maneuvering propellant on May 10 and May 11, then the craft was put on standby from May 13 through June 9 to wait for the processing campaigns of the launcher and the N-Star c payload to catch up with Stellat 5's lead.

The Ariane 5 rocket began its integration on May 21 with the erection of the cryogenic first stage. The twin solid rocket boosters were put into place on May 22, with final attachment coming on May 23.

The storable propellant upper stage was stacked atop the first stage on May 27, followed on the same day by the placement of the vehicle's equipment control module onto the launcher.

On June 18, the nearly complete Ariane 5 rolled over from the launcher integration building to the final assembly building to receive Flight 153's two payloads and to undergo final tests. The N-Star c satellite arrived at the launch site the same day. Fueling for N-Star c began on June 24.

N-Star c was attached to the rocket's upper stage on June 28. Two days before, Stellat 5 had been placed atop the Sylda dual payload adapter. The combined Sylda/Stellat 5 stack was connected to the upper stage on June 29, enclosing the N-Star c spacecraft inside the Sylda structure.

The Ariane 5 upper stage's attitude control system was filled with its load of maneuvering fuel on July 1, followed the next day by the fueling of the upper stage main engine tanks with monomethyl hydrazine and nitrogen tetroxide.

A final launch rehearsal was also conducted on July 2, allowing the launch team to hone their skills a final time before the real countdown today.

Senior officials held a launch readiness review on Wednesday, July 3, which cleared the launcher for flight.

The Ariane 5 rocket was rolled along dual rail tracks from the final assembly building to the ELA-3 launch zone on Thursday.

Looking ahead to the activities of the countdown today, the final countdown is scheduled to get underway at 1151 GMT (7:51 a.m. EDT). A check of electrical systems will take place at 1551 GMT (11:51 a.m. EDT). Liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen will begin flowing into the Ariane 5's cryogenic main stage at 1801 GMT (2:01 p.m. EDT). At 2001 GMT (4:01 p.m. EDT), small amounts of fuel will begin to be released into the first stage's Vulcain main engine to condition it for flight. A final check of connections between launcher, telemetry, tracking, and command systems will occur at 2206 GMT (6:06 p.m. EDT). At a point about 7 minutes prior to liftoff, computers will take control of the countdown. Following that critical countdown milestone is a series of events that culminate with the ignition of the Vulcain main engine as the clocks strike T-0. The twin solid rocket boosters will ignite seven seconds later, followed immediately by liftoff.

The Ariane 5 will take a normal ascent profile, with a 2-minute, 30-second burn of the two solid rocket boosters. The first stage will burn for a total of 10 minutes before shutting down and separating from the upper stage. The second stage will then come to life and fire for almost 17 minutes before cutting off in preparation for spacecraft separation events.

The Stellat 5 payload will separate from atop the Sylda adapter 30 minutes, 20 seconds after launch. The Sylda adapter will then be jettisoned, clearing the way for N-Star c separation 37 minutes into flight.

Keep this page handy for live play-by-play updates of the final countdown and launch of Flight 153.

THURSDAY, JULY 4, 2002

In just its second flight of 2002, Europe's new generation Ariane 5 rocket is set to launch a pair of communications satellites for customers in France and Japan on Friday evening.

Liftoff is scheduled to occur at 2321 GMT (7:21 p.m. EDT) from the ELA-3 launch pad in Kourou, French Guiana.

Stacked atop the 12th Ariane 5 rocket are two communications satellites destined to reside in geostationary orbit to beam communications services to users across Europe and Japan.

Occupying the upper position on the Ariane 5's Sylda dual payload adapter is the French Stellat 5 communications satellite, the result of a two-year development process by the Stellat venture, jointly owned by France Telecom (70 percent) and Europe*Star (30 percent).

Stellat was created for the sole purpose of developing the Stellat 5 spacecraft, which will serve the European, African, Middle Eastern, and some American markets by complementing the Telecom 2C satellite's broadcasting applications, video and radio programming. Stellat 5 will also provide Internet access services to the same region, marking a major step into a new market for the two telecommunications giants.

Stellat 5's users include both professional and private customers. The communications satellite offers a broadcasting platform for content providers, as well as direct-to-home or direct-to-office programming to private users.

Parked in geostationary orbit 22,300 miles above the eastern Atlantic Ocean at 5 degrees West, the Alcatel Space-built Stellat 5 satellite will use 35 Ku-band and 10 C-band transponders as its communications payload. The 8,910-pound craft will feature a tip-to-tip solar array span of about 120 feet once they are fully deployed in orbit, where Stellat 5 will begin a 15-year operational lifetime.

Enclosed inside the Sylda adapter is the N-Star c satellite, which is being launched for Orbital Sciences and Lockheed Martin of the United States for Japan's NTT Mobile Communications Network, or NTT DoCoMo.

After the craft is parked in geostationary orbit at 136 degrees East above New Guinea, N-Star c will begin its 10-year-long mission of providing mobile telephone communications, as well as other services such as data transmissions and maritime communications.

N-Star c is expected to improve signal strength over previous satellites for NTT's customers, making smaller phones more possible than before.

The satellite bus was built by Orbital Sciences, who was also responsible for selecting a launch provider. Lockheed Martin was in charge of the communications instruments and spacecraft integration.

Much smaller than its payload counterpart, N-Star c will weigh approximately 3,600 pounds at launch. The craft's solar panels will stretch around 40 feet once extended.

Stay with Spaceflight Now for continued updates on the countdown and launch of the Ariane 512 launcher on Friday evening.