BY SPACEFLIGHT NOW

Follow the preparations and launch of the Arianespace Ariane 5 rocket carrying the Atlantic Bird 1 communications satellite and MSG 1 weather spacecraft. Reload this page for the very latest on the mission.

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 28, 2002

An Arianespace Ariane 5 rocket lifted off from the jungles of South America Wednesday night, lofting a communications spacecraft to bridge the Atlantic and an advanced European weather satellite. Read our full story.

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

Arianespace has confirmed tonight's launch was successful.

We'll have a wrap-up story a little later this evening.

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

Plus+36 minutes, 10 seconds. SPACECRAFT SEPARATION! The European MSG 1 weather satellite has been deployed by the Ariane 5 rocket, completing tonight's launch.

MSG 1 is the first craft of Europe's Meteosat Second Generation weather satellite system for operator Eumetsat. Built by Alcatel Space, MSG 1 will be parked in geostationary orbit above the equator at 0 degrees Longitude above the Gulf of Guinea to see Europe and Africa.

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

Plus+33 minutes. About three minutes away from deployment of MSG 1.

2316 GMT (7:16 p.m. EDT)

Plus+31 minutes, 45 seconds. The Sylda 5 dual payload adapter has been jettisoned. The Atlantic Bird 1 satellite sat atop this barrel-like structure during launch and enclosed MSG 1. Now that Sylda has separated, the upper stage will maneuver itself and prepare for deployment of MSG 1.

2313 GMT (7:13 p.m. EDT)

Plus+28 minutes, 2 seconds. SPACECRAFT SEPARATION! The Atlantic Bird 1 communications satellite has been released into space from the Ariane 5 rocket.

Built by Alenia Spazio, the craft will be positioned in geostationary orbit at 12.5 degrees West longitude for use by Eutelsat to provide telecommunications services between Europe and the Americas.

The upper stage will now reorient for jettison of the Sylda dual payload structure. Once Sylda is separated, MSG 1 can been deployed.

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

Plus+27 minutes. Altitude 1739 km, velocity is 8.50 km/sec.

2311 GMT (7:11 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 -- Atlantic Bird 1.

2311 GMT (7:11 p.m. EDT)

Plus+26 minutes. Altitude 1557 km, velocity is 8.57 km/sec.

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

Plus+23 minutes. Altitude 1090 km, velocity is 8.4 km/sec.

2307 GMT (7:07 p.m. EDT)

Plus+22 minutes. The Malindi, Kenya island tracking station in Africa has picked up the rocket's signal.

2305 GMT (7:05 p.m. EDT)

Plus+20 minutes. Altitude 738 km, velocity is 8.3 km/sec.

2304 GMT (7:04 p.m. EDT)

Plus+19 minutes. Systems continue to perform normally aboard the Ariane 5 rocket, Arianespace says.

2302 GMT (7:02 p.m. EDT)

Plus+17 minutes. Altitude 480 km, velocity is 8.18 km/sec.

2301 GMT (7:01 p.m. EDT)

Plus+16 minutes. Altitude 415 km, velocity is 8.1 km/sec.

2259 GMT (6:59 p.m. EDT)

Plus+14 minutes. About 12 minutes to go in the upper stage burn. Altitude 304 km, velocity is 8.0 km/sec.

2257 GMT (6:57 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 239 km, velocity over 7.9 km/sec.

2256 GMT (6:56 p.m. EDT)

Plus+11 minutes, 30 seconds. Vehicle parameters reported normal. Altitude 202 km, velocity is 7.8 km/sec.

2255 GMT (6:55 p.m. EDT)

Plus+10 minutes, 20 seconds. Confirmation now announced that the upper stage, the storable propellant stage, has ignited for its long-duration burn.

2255 GMT (6:55 p.m. EDT)

Plus+10 minutes, 5 seconds. The main cryogenic stage's Vulcain engine has cut off and the spent stage has separated. It will fall back into the atmosphere.

2254 GMT (6:54 p.m. EDT)

Plus+9 minutes, 40 seconds. Ariane is gaining altitude again. Altitude 145 km, velocity is 7.7 km/sec.

2254 GMT (6:54 p.m. EDT)

Plus+9 minutes. Coming up on main stage shutdown in about one minute. Altitude currently 135 km, velocity is 6.7 km/sec.

And the Natal tracking station in Brazil has picked up the rocket's signal.

2253 GMT (6:53 p.m. EDT)

Plus+8 minutes. Altitude is 135 km, velocity is 5.5 km/sec.

2252 GMT (6:52 p.m. EDT)

Plus+7 minutes. The rocket has leveled out, no longer climbing in altitude in order to gain speed. Altitude is 143 km, velocity is 4.5 km/sec.

2251 GMT (6:51 p.m. EDT)

Plus+6 minutes. Altitude is 146 km, velocity is 3.7 km/sec.

2250 GMT (6:50 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.

2249 GMT (6:49 p.m. EDT)

Plus+4 minutes. Altitude is 126 km, velocity is 2.6 km/sec.

2248 GMT (6:48 p.m. EDT)

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

2248 GMT (6:48 p.m. EDT)

Plus+3 minutes. Altitude is 94.9 km, velocity is 2.2 km/sec.

2247 GMT (6:47 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.

2246 GMT (6:46 p.m. EDT)

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

2246 GMT (6:46 p.m. EDT)

Plus+1 minute. Vehicle parameters are reported normal.

2245 GMT (6:45 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.

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

LIFTOFF! Liftoff of the Arianespace Ariane 5 rocket -- launching European spacecraft for communications and weather forecasting. And the vehicle has cleared the pad!

2244 GMT (6:44 p.m. EDT)

Minus-40 seconds. Vehicle now on internal power.

2244 GMT (6:44 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.

2242 GMT (6:42 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.

2241 GMT (6:41 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 2230 GMT (6:30 p.m. EDT).

2240 GMT (6:40 p.m. EDT)

Minus-5 minutes. The countdown has passed the point in which it had the problem before. There have been no details on what problem caused the hold tonight.

2238 GMT (6:38 p.m. EDT)

Minus-7 minutes and counting! Liftoff is set for 2245 GMT.

2237 GMT (6:37 p.m. EDT)

The problem, whatever it was, has been resolved. Standing by to resolve the count.

2232 GMT (6:32 p.m. EDT)

An Ariane engineer says this is a different problem than last night.

2231 GMT (6:31 p.m. EDT)

The Arianespace public affairs commentator says he has no information about the problem.

2228 GMT (6:28 p.m. EDT)

There have been no details from Arianespace on the nature of tonight's problem. But a constraint was found and the countdown halted at Minus-5 minutes, 36 seconds. The clocks have since been reset to Minus-7 minutes while troubleshooting is performed. If the problem can be resolved, the countdown would resume and the Synchronized Sequence completely restarted.

2226 GMT (6:26 p.m. EDT)

The countdown clock has been recycled back to the Minus-7 minute mark. The status panel in the Jupiter Control Center is showing a "no go" condition with the launch base, which was the same situation last night.

2224 GMT (6:24 p.m. EDT)

Minus-5 minutes, 36 seconds and holding! The countdown has been stopped due to a problem. We are standing by for word on what the problem is.

2223 GMT (6:23 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.

2220 GMT (6:20 p.m. EDT)

Minus-10 minutes and counting. Arianespace has just started providing status updates from the launch site. All systems are reported "go" for liftoff at 2230 GMT (6:30 p.m. EDT).

The vehicle is fueled, the weather is acceptable and the countdown is about to enter the Synchronized Sequence.

2030 GMT (4:30 p.m. EDT)

Arianespace is counting down for the second attempt to launch the Ariane 5 rocket carrying Atlantic Bird 1 and MSG 1. Liftoff is scheduled for 2230 GMT (6:30 p.m. EDT).

TUESDAY, AUGUST 27, 2002

Arianespace will try again Wednesday evening to launch the Eutelsat Atlantic Bird 1 communications satellite and Europe's Meteosat Second Generation weather satellite aboard an Ariane 5 rocket. Tuesday's first attempt was delayed because of a computer glitch between the rocket and ground systems.

Officials resumed the countdown after resolving the problem, but the team overseeing the MSG 1 weather spacecraft called a "no go" condition because liftoff would have occurred outside the allowable launch window.

The original 45-minute window was extended an additional 15 minutes to give engineers more time to work the computer problem. But in the end, liftoff would have take place beyond the ultimate 60-minute window, which was unacceptable for MSG 1.

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

So that's it for this evening. Arianespace has officially scrubbed this launch opportunity. A "dialog" problem between the Ariane 5 rocket and ground computer system delayed the liftoff through the duration of tonight's 45-minute launch window. Officials extended the window to give engineers more time to resolve the issue.

As the countdown was finally picking up, a "no go" status was declared for the MSG 1 weather satellite cargo. There has been no further word on the satellite issue. But with little or no time to address the situtation, the scrub was called.

Arianespace says launch could be reset for Wednesday evening.

2328 GMT (7:28 p.m. EDT)

SCRUB! Tonight's launch attempt has been called off. Standing by for word from Arianespace.

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

The countdown apparently did resume briefly after the earlier electrical problem was resolved. The team extended the window again. But as the clocks picked up, the MSG 1 spacecraft was declared not ready.

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

And now the MSG 1 weather spacecraft aboard the Ariane 5 rocket is "no go" for launch.

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

Status panel is now "green" but clocks are still holding. An extra extension of the window hasn't been announced.

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

The countdown has not resumed and the status panel in the control center is red for "no go" condition again.

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

The countdown will be restarted at 2323 GMT from the Minus-7 minute mark for liftoff at 2330 GMT (7:30 p.m. EDT), the very end of the lengthened window tonight.

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

The launch team has just been told that the countdown will be resuming momentarily. The problem apparently has been resolved.

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

Hold continues with no new info available from Arianespace. The troubleshooting goes on.

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

So with the now-lengthened window, the countdown must resume by 2323 GMT (7:23 p.m. EDT).

2305 GMT (7:05 p.m. EDT)

WINDOW EXTENDED. Arianespace and the payload teams have made the call to extend tonight's window by another 15 minutes to 2230 GMT (7:30 p.m. EDT), giving engineers a bit more time to work the electrical problem between the rocket's onboard computer and a ground computer.

2301 GMT (7:01 p.m. EDT)

Arianespace says the efforts to correct the problem are still on-going.

2258 GMT (6:58 p.m. EDT)

The launch team now has 10 minutes left to resolve this electrical issue and get the countdown restarted from the Minus-7 minute mark for liftoff by the end of tonight's available launch window at 2315 GMT (7:15 p.m. EDT). Otherwise, the launch will have to be scrubbed for the day.

2252 GMT (6:52 p.m. EDT)

Arianespace has just announced that the hold was prompted by an electrical problem between one of three Ariane 5 onboard computers and a ground computer. Troubleshooting continues.

2248 GMT (6:48 p.m. EDT)

Twenty minutes of hold time remains before the countdown must resume for liftoff this evening.

2242 GMT (6:42 p.m. EDT)

Efforts to understand and correct this problem continues. Arianespace has not provided any details on what the problem is. However, it is said that the glitch is computer-related on the ground side of things.

2233 GMT (6:33 p.m. EDT)

The Arianespace launch team has been informed that this hold should last about 30 minutes while the issue is resolved. Tonight's available launch window extends to 2315 GMT (7:15 p.m. EDT). The countdown will have to pick up no later than 2308 GMT for liftoff at the very end of the window.

2231 GMT (6:31 p.m. EDT)

There has been no further word on the exact nature of problem. But Arianespace says it is in a ground-support system and not with the rocket itself.

2228 GMT (6:28 p.m. EDT)

The problem has something to do with the launch control center, Arianespace public affairs says. Countdown clocks are being recycled back to Minus-7 minutes and holding while troubleshooting is peformed. If the issue can be cleared tonight during the available launch window to 2315 GMT, the Synchronized Sequence can be restarted.

2227 GMT (6:27 p.m. EDT)

HOLD! A problem has occurred and the countdown has been stopped just inside Minus-3 minutes.

2227 GMT (6:27 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.

2226 GMT (6:26 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 2230 GMT (6:30 p.m. EDT).

2223 GMT (6:23 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.

2222 GMT (6:22 p.m. EDT)

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

2220 GMT (6:20 p.m. EDT)

Minus-10 minutes and counting. Today's launch will be the 154th flight of an Ariane rocket and the 13th of the next-generation Ariane 5. It's the 10th commercial mission of an Ariane 5 rocket dating back to 1999.

For 2002, this will be the 9th launch overall for Arianespace. Six Ariane 4 rockets and two Ariane 5 rocket have flown so far this year.

2215 GMT (6:15 p.m. EDT)

Minus-15 minutes and counting. Arianespace is not reporting any technical problems in the count that would prevent an on-time launch at 2230 GMT tonight for Ariane 5 with the Atlantic Bird 1 communications satellite and MSG 1 weather spacecraft. Weather conditions are also said to be favorable.

2210 GMT (6:10 p.m. EDT)

T-minus 20 minutes and counting. Activities appear on schedule in the Jupiter Control Center as the countdown enters the final minutes for liftoff of the Ariane 5 rocket from Kourou, French Guiana on the northeast coast of South America. Launch remains set to occur at 2230 GMT (6:30 p.m. EDT).

0401 GMT (12:01 a.m. EDT)

Plans for the third Ariane 5 flight of 2002 are holding steady for launch, scheduled for this evening with two European satellites aboard.

The Ariane 5 sits poised in the ELA-3 launch zone in Kourou, French Guiana, for liftoff at the opening of a 45-minute window at 2230 GMT (6:30 p.m. EDT).

Flight 155 marks the 154th mission of an Ariane rocket and the 13th flight of an Ariane 5 launcher.

Preparations began on May 15 with the arrival of the MSG 1 satellite payload at the launch site to begin its processing flow. Atlantic Bird 1 arrived in Kourou on June 19.

After completing its first round of initial testing, MSG 1 was placed into a standby mode from July 1 through July 29. Atlantic Bird 1 was in standby operations from July 9 through July 29.

Meanwhile, operations with the launch vehicle began on July 18 with the hoisting of the first stage above the launch table. The two solid rocket boosters were rolled into place the next day and attached on July 20.

The rocket's storable propellant upper stage was added on July 23, followed on the same day by integration of the vehicle equipment bay, the "brains" of the launcher.

Atlantic Bird 1 and MSG 1 were fueled with their maneuvering propellants beginning on August 2 and August 5, respectively.

Ariane 513 was rolled out from the launcher integration building in Kourou to the final assembly building on August 10, where it waited to receive its two payloads.

Atlantic Bird 1 was bolted to its barrel-like Sylda payload carrier on August 14, where it will ride through spacecraft separation during the launch. MSG 1 was attached directly to the rocket on August 19, and the Sylda/Atlantic Bird 1 stack was subsequently lowered around MSG 1 the next day.

A final launch rehearsal was conducted on August 22 to give the launch team a last chance to hone their skills before the real countdown. Loading of the upper stage with its monomethyl hydrazine fuel and nitrogen tetroxide oxidizer was also completed the same day.

The launch readiness review last Friday officially cleared the rocket for liftoff, and workers armed the launcher later in the day.

The Ariane 5 rocket was rolled out to the ELA-3 launch pad from the final assembly building on Monday, the final major step before the final countdown begins Tuesday.

Looking ahead to the key times today, the final countdown will get underway at 1100 GMT (7:00 a.m. EDT). A check of electrical systems is slated for 1500 GMT (11:00 a.m. EDT). At 1710 GMT (1:10 p.m. EDT), super-cold liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen will begin flowing into the cryogenic first stage of the Ariane 5 launcher. The first stage's Vulcain main engine will be conditioned for flight starting at 1910 GMT (3:10 p.m. EDT) with the release of small amounts of super cold propellant into the fuel lines in a process called "chilldown". A final check of connections between the rocket and telemetry, tracking, and command systems is scheduled for 2115 GMT (5:15 p.m. EDT). About seven minutes prior to liftoff, the synchronized launch sequence will commence. From that critical point onward, computers will be in charge of the countdown. Following that milestone is a series of fast-paced events culminating with the ignition of the Vulcain first stage engine, trailed seven seconds later by solid rocket booster ignition.

The Ariane 5 will fly a normal ascent profile with burns of the solid rocket boosters lasting until about two minutes, 30 seconds into flight. The first stage will continue to fire until almost 10 minutes after launch, during which time the protective payload shroud surrounding the satellites will be jettisoned. After the cryogenic main stage shuts down and separates, the storable propellant upper stage will come to life to thrust the payloads the rest of the way to geostationary transfer orbit. The upper stage will burn for almost 17 minutes before cutting off and re-orienting for spacecraft separation. Atlantic Bird 1 will be the first payload to separate 28 minutes after liftoff, and MSG 1 will follow a little past 36 minutes into flight.

Stay on this page for updates during the final half-hour of the countdown and launch of Flight 155.

MONDAY, AUGUST 26, 2002

An Ariane 5 rocket is due for liftoff Tuesday evening with a pair of satellites to bring better weather forecasts and communications to the European continent.

Launch is slated for 2230 GMT (6:30 p.m. EDT) from the ELA-3 launch pad at the Guiana Space Center in Kourou, French Guiana. The available launch window extends for 45 minutes.

Riding on top of the launcher's Sylda dual payload adapter will be the Atlantic Bird 1 communications satellite for European operator Eutelsat.

After separating from the rocket, Atlantic Bird 1 will gradually settle into a circular geostationary orbit 22,300 miles above the Atlantic Ocean on the equator at 12.5 degrees West longitude. Its 24 Ku-band transponders will reach all of Europe, western parts of the Middle East, northern Africa, the majority of South America, and the eastern coast of North America.

Atlantic Bird 1 will become the second new dedicated satellite in Eutelsat's Atlantic gate program to bridge the Americas and Europe in a variety of communications users that include television and radio broadcasters, as well as Internet and multimedia networks.

The spacecraft joins Atlantic Bird 2, another dedicated Eutelsat craft that was launched last September. Several other satellites are also utilized by Eutelsat to allow greater relay capacity between markets in North and South America, Europe, the Middle East, and parts of northern Africa.

Atlantic Bird 1 -- built by Alenia Spazio -- will have a mass of about 5,940 pounds at launch. Its two solar arrays will span over 60 feet when deployed, and will produce up to 5 kilowatts at the beginning of the satellite's 15-year lifetime.

Sitting below Atlantic Bird 1 and inside the Sylda payload carrier is the MSG 1 weather satellite, marking the beginning of a new generation of space-based weather observation in Europe.

MSG 1 is the first of Europe's Meteosat Second-Generation weather satellite system to be operated by the European Meteorological Satellite organization, or Eumetsat.

Eumetsat is partnering with the European Space Agency in the development of the MSG program, with ESA in charge of procuring the MSG 1, MSG 2, and MSG 3 spacecraft. Eumetsat was responsible for preparations in the ground segment, launcher acquisition, and will be running the program when it becomes operational.

MSG 2 is expected to launch about 18 months from now, with MSG 3 being kept in storage until it is needed when MSG 1 approaches the end of its lifetime.

MSG 1 will provide better, more accurate, and quicker weather data than any other operational weather satellite system ever before in Europe. Using 12 different spectral channels, the satellite will make observations of the Earth's atmosphere and surface, marking an improvement over the previous Meteosat program that only utilized three spectral channels. The craft will also add climate monitoring capabilities and a land imaging instrument to the tools at the hands of European meteorologists.

More timely data updates and improvements in resolution, search and rescue capabilities, and overall life span are also featured on MSG 1.

Products derived from MSG data will run the gamut of meteorological applications, including wind and cloud analysis, precipitation monitoring, humidity levels, and aviation users.

MSG 1 will weigh 4,479 pounds at liftoff Tuesday evening. The spacecraft was built by Alcatel Space, the cylinder satellite will spin at 100 rounds per minute to keep itself stabilized in orbit. It will position itself in geostationary orbit above the equator at 0 degrees Longitude above the Gulf of Guinea. From that vantage point, MSG 1 will have a coverage area that covers Europe, Africa, the Atlantic Ocean, and part of the Indian Ocean.

Stay with Spaceflight Now for continued updates over the next few days as well as during the final countdown and launch of the Ariane 5 rocket Tuesday night.