BY SPACEFLIGHT NOW

Follow the preparations and launch of the Arianespace Ariane 5 rocket carrying the Insat 3A and Galaxy 12 communications spacecraft. Reload this page for the very latest on the mission.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 9, 2003

Europe's battered Ariane 5 rocket program scored a much needed success Wednesday night, lofting a pair of communications satellites while making strides to repair the heavy-lifting booster's reputation. Read our full launch story.

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

Arianespace has declared tonight's launch a success.

Check back later tonight for a launch wrap-up story.

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

Plus+38 minutes, 43 seconds. SPACECRAFT SEPARATION! PanAmSat's Galaxy 12 communications satellite has been deployed by the Ariane 5 rocket, completing tonight's launch.

We'll now stand by for confirmation from Arianespace of mission success.

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

Plus+38 minutes, 30 seconds. Altitude 4275 km, velocity is 7.01 km/sec.

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

Plus+35 minutes, 30 seconds. About three minutes away from deployment of Galaxy 12. Altitude 3580 km, velocity is 7.36 km/sec.

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

Plus+33 minutes. The Sylda 5 dual payload adapter has been jettisoned. The Insat 3A craft sat atop this barrel-like structure during launch and enclosed Galaxy 12. Now that Sylda has separated, the upper stage will maneuver itself and prepare for deployment of Galaxy 12.

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

Plus+30 minutes, 30 seconds. Altitude 2506 km, velocity is 7.98 km/sec.

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

Plus+29 minutes, 22 seconds. SPACECRAFT SEPARATION! The Indian Space Research Organizations Insat 3A communications and meteorological observation 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, Galaxy 12 can been deployed.

2320 GMT (7:20 p.m. EDT)

Plus+28 minutes. Altitude 2025 km, velocity is 8.30 km/sec.

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

Plus+27 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 -- Insat 3A.

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

Plus+26 minutes. Altitude 1685 km, velocity is 8.35 km/sec.

2317 GMT (7:17 p.m. EDT)

Plus+25 minutes. The upper stage is nearing the completion of its firing. Altitude 1529 km, velocity is 8.28 km/sec.

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

Plus+24 minutes. Altitude 1381 km, velocity is 8.23 km/sec.

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

Plus+23 minutes. Altitude 1246 km, velocity is 8.18 km/sec.

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

Plus+22 minutes. The Malindi, Kenya island tracking station in Africa has picked up the rocket's signal. Altitude 1118 km, velocity is 8.14 km/sec.

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

Plus+21 minutes. Altitude 999 km, velocity is 8.09 km/sec.

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

Plus+20 minutes, 10 seconds. Altitude 907 km, velocity is 8.06 km/sec.

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

Plus+19 minutes. Altitude 785 km, velocity is 8.0 km/sec.

2310 GMT (7:10 p.m. EDT)

Plus+18 minutes. Altitude 694 km, velocity is 7.97 km/sec.

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

Plus+16 minutes, 30 seconds. Altitude 568 km, velocity is 7.9 km/sec.

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

Plus+15 minutes, 15 seconds. Ariane 5 remains on course with no problems reported by Arianespace. Altitude 478 km, velocity is 7.8 km/sec.

2306 GMT (7:06 p.m. EDT)

Plus+14 minutes. Altitude 398 km, velocity is 7.79 km/sec.

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

Plus+12 minutes, 30 seconds. The Ascension island tracking station in the Atlantic has picked up the rocket's signal.

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

Plus+12 minutes. Altitude 291 km, velocity is 7.69 km/sec.

2303 GMT (7:03 p.m. EDT)

Plus+11 minutes, 30 seconds. Altitude 268 km, velocity is 7.6 km/sec.

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

Plus+10 minutes, 25 seconds. Confirmation has been received that the upper stage of Ariane 5G -- the storable propellant stage -- has ignited for its long-duration burn.

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

Plus+10 minutes, 20 seconds. The main cryogenic stage's Vulcain engine has cut off and the spent stage has separated. It will fall back into the atmosphere over the Pacific Ocean before completing an orbit of Earth.

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

Plus+9 minutes. Coming up on main stage shutdown in about one minute. The rocket is beginning to gain altitude again. Altitude is currently 179.5 km, velocity is 6.2 km/sec.

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

Plus+8 minutes, 30 seconds. Altitude is 174 km, velocity is 5.6 km/sec.

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

Plus+8 minutes. The Natal tracking station in Brazil has picked up the rocket's signal.

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

Plus+7 minutes, 30 seconds. Altitude is 172.5 km, velocity is 4.5 km/sec.

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

Plus+6 minutes, 30 seconds. The rocket has leveled out, no longer climbing in altitude in order to gain speed. Altitude is 171 km, velocity is 3.8 km/sec.

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

Plus+6 minutes. Altitude is 168 km, velocity is 3.5 km/sec.

2257 GMT (6:57 p.m. EDT)

Plus+5 minutes. Altitude is 157 km, velocity is 2.9 km/sec.

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

Plus+4 minutes, 30 seconds. The Ariane 5 systems and its trajectory are all reported normal as the main stage engine continues to fire.

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

Plus+4 minutes. Altitude is 136 km, velocity is 2.5 km/sec.

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

Plus+3 minutes, 15 seconds. The protective payload fairing enclosing the two satellites has been separated from the Ariane 5.

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

Plus+3 minutes. Altitude is 100 km, velocity is 2.2 km/sec.

2254 GMT (6:54 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 space.

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

Plus+2 minutes. Vehicle parameters are reported normal. Altitude 58 km, velocity 2.0 km/sec.

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

Plus+1 minute, 30 seconds. About one minute left in the burn by the solid rocket boosters. Altitude 24 km, velocity 0.98 km/sec.

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

Plus+1 minute. Vehicle parameters are reported normal. Altitude 10.2 km, velocity 0.45 km/sec.

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

Plus+30 seconds. Rocket has completed its pitch and rolls maneuvers as it heads east from the South American coast for geosynchronous transfer orbit. Altitude 2 km.

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

LIFTOFF! Liftoff of the 15th Ariane 5 as Europe's heavy-lifting rocket program returns to flight. And the vehicle has cleared the pad!

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

Minus-40 seconds. Vehicle now on internal power.

2251:23 GMT (6:51:23 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 6 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.

2250 GMT (6:50 p.m. EDT)

Minus-2 minutes. The Vulcain 1 main engine supply valves are being opened. Also, the ground valves for engine chilldown are being closed.

2249 GMT (6:49 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.

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

Minus-4 minutes. Pressurization is now underway for the main cryogenic stage's liquid oxygen and hydrogen tanks. Also, final pyrotechnic arming has started. Liftoff remains planned for 2252 GMT (6:52 p.m. EDT).

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

Minus-6 minutes and counting. Liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen supplies of the main cryogenic stage are being verified at flight level. Also, the pyrotechnic line safety barriers are being armed.

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

Minus-6 minutes, 30 seconds and counting. The Synchronized Sequence has started. 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.

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

Minus-7 minutes and counting.

2243 GMT (6:43 p.m. EDT)

Arianespace says the countdown will hold here for three minutes to adjust topping sequence for the Vulcain 1 main engine.

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

Minus-7 minutes and holding.

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

Minus-9 minutes and counting. Countdown clocks will hold at Minus-7 minutes.

2234 GMT (6:34 p.m. EDT)

Minus-15 minutes and counting. Arianespace is not reporting any technical problems as clocks tick down to this first Ariane 5 mission in four months.

2229 GMT (6:29 p.m. EDT)

Minus-20 minutes. The countdown is entering the final phases for today's launch of Ariane 5 with Insat 3A and Galaxy 12 at 2249 GMT (6:49 p.m. EDT).

2000 GMT (4:00 p.m. EDT)

The status panel in the Jupiter control center is all green at this hour as the countdown continues for liftoff at 2249 GMT tonight from Kourou, French Guiana in South America.

Watch this page for updates during the final countdown and launch of the Ariane 5 rocket.

1415 GMT (10:15 a.m. EDT)

Following a one-day delay due to a minor glitch with an Indian communications satellite cargo aboard the Ariane 5 rocket, officials have rescheduled the launch for 2249 GMT (6:49 p.m. EDT) today. The launch window extends to 2330 GMT (7:30 p.m. EDT).

The Indian Space Research Organization said during the final pre-flight checks on Insat 3A, a problem was noted that required further examination.

"It was observed that the signal strength from one of the two telemetry transmitters was less than nominal. This anomaly could not be resolved before the close of launch window and hence the launch was called off for the day," ISRO said in a statement.

Earlier today, the decision was made to press on with launch.

"After extensive simulations and careful analysis by ISRO experts at Kourou and in India, the satellite has now been cleared for launch."

TUESDAY, APRIL 8, 2003
2110 GMT (5:10 p.m. EDT)

Arianespace says the issue that prompted today's launch postponement involves one of the two payloads aboard the Ariane 5. The launch service provider said in a statement that one of the customers requested the delay. However, the specific satellite at the heart of the matter -- Insat 3A or Galaxy 12 -- was not disclosed. Officials will confirm the next attempt on Wednesday morning.

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

SCRUB! A technical problem has forced Arianespace to scrub today's planned launch of an Ariane 5 rocket. Liftoff is being rescheduled for Wednesday. Details to follow.

TUESDAY, APRIL 8, 2003

Today's flight of the Ariane 5 rocket is now one step closer to reality with Monday's move of the launcher from its assembly building to the launch pad, setting the stage for the final countdown.

The launch window opens at 2249 GMT (6:49 p.m. EDT) and closes 41 minutes later at 2330 GMT (7:30 p.m. EDT). Liftoff will be from the ELA-3 launch zone at the Guiana Space Center on South America's northeast coast.

Nestled inside the payload fairing are a pair of communications satellites built to serve India and the United States with broadcasting, multimedia, and other telecommunications services for over a decade.

Looking ahead to the activities on launch day, the final countdown will get underway at 1119 GMT (7:19 a.m. EDT). A check of electrical systems will occur at 1519 GMT (11:19 a.m. EDT). At 1759 GMT (1:59 p.m. EDT), fueling of the main cryogenic first stage with super-cold liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen will begin. A chilldown operation to condition the Vulcain main engine will be at 1929 GMT (3:29 p.m. EDT). A final check of connections between the launcher and telemetry, tracking, and command systems is set for 2139 GMT (5:39 p.m. EDT).

The synchronized launch sequence will commence a few minutes before launch if all systems report a "go" for launch. After this critical milestone is a series of fast-paced events, culminating with the ignition of the Vulcain main engine, followed by liftoff about 7 seconds later when the solid rocket boosters come to life.

The Ariane 5 will take a normal ascent profile with a two-minute, 21-second burn of the two solid rocket boosters. The fairing will be jettisoned from around the satellite payloads a little over three minutes into flight. The first stage will have burned all its propellant and will be separated about 10 minutes after launch, followed seconds later by ignition of the upper stage's Aestus engine, which will burn for 17 minutes. After the Aestus shuts down, the Insat 3A payload will separate moments later. Galaxy 12 separates almost 39 minutes into the mission, effectively completing Flight 160.

Spaceflight Now will provide live play-by-play status updates during today's final countdown and launch of the Ariane 5 rocket.

SATURDAY, APRIL 5, 2003

Officials in control of the final steps prior to Tuesday's flight of an Ariane 5 rocket today cleared the vehicle and its two payloads for liftoff in a launch readiness review.

Launch is scheduled for 2249 GMT next Tuesday (6:49 p.m. EDT) from the ELA-3 pad in Kourou, French Guiana. The launch window extends for 41 minutes.

Poised for the ride to orbit atop the Ariane 5 are the Insat 3A and Galaxy 12 communications satellites destined to serve India and the United States, respectively.

Flight 160 processing kicked off almost three months ago on January 14 with the arrival of the Insat 3A spacecraft in Kourou from its factory in India.

The Ariane 5 cryogenic first stage was hoisted above its mobile launch table on January 20 and was left hanging in that position until two days later when the twin solid rocket boosters were put into place on their launch platform mounts and attached to the first stage.

The storable propellant upper stage and the vehicle equipment bay were placed atop the first stage on January 24.

Ariane 5 launcher processing was then put on hold in late January following the release of the failure report outlining the technical details surrounding last December's mishap and recommending actions to prevent such incidents from occurring again. The pause in operations allowed officials to fully review the Ariane 5G Vulcain 1 main engine nozzle before a formal clearance for flight.

Meanwhile, payload work continued with the arrival of the Galaxy 12 satellite from its manufacturing facility at Orbital Sciences in the United States on February 4.

The tedious and toxic task of fueling the spacecraft with maneuvering propellant began on February 17 for Galaxy 12. Insat 3A fueling operations commenced on March 1.

The processing team re-started assembly work on the Ariane 5 on March 25 with the transfer of the launcher from the launcher integration building to the final assembly building where it was to be joined by its two satellite passengers.

Work began in the following days to integrate the payloads with various individual adapters as well as the standard Sylda 5 dual payload carrier. During launch, Galaxy 12 will ride in the lower position enclosed within the Sylda 5, while Insat 3A will ride on top of the Sylda 5 to be separated first.

Galaxy 12 was attached to the upper stage on March 31 and was joined by the Sylda 5 and Insat 3A the next day.

On Thursday, the Ariane 5 second stage was filled with its propellant load of monomethyl hydrazine and nitrogen tetroxide to fuel its Aestus engine during launch.

Friday saw a final launch rehearsal to allow the team to hone their skills and to take a final opportunity to prepare for Tuesday's countdown activities.

Senior officials gathered Saturday to discuss any outstanding issues and to formally clear the rocket, payloads, and ground systems for liftoff after ensuring all have a clean bill of health. Arianespace says the meeting ended with a "go" for continued operations.

In the days leading up to launch, the fully assembled launcher will be rolled along dual rail tracks for a one-kilometer trip to the ELA-3 launch pad on Monday. The final countdown will get underway Tuesday morning.

Stay with Spaceflight Now for live updates during the final countdown and launch on this page.

THURSDAY, APRIL 3, 2003

Arianespace is setting up for a crucial flight next week of the Ariane 5 rocket that promises to be widely watched throughout the aerospace industry after the last mission of the heavy-lift booster ended in failure and prompted a program-wide review. Read our launch preview story.

And watch this page for live play-by-play updates through the final countdown and launch of the Ariane 5.