BY SPACEFLIGHT NOW

Follow the preparations and launch of the Arianespace Ariane 5 rocket carrying the Optus and Defence C1 and BSAT 2c communications spacecraft. Reload this page for the very latest on the mission.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 11, 2003

A pair of Australian and Japanese telecommunications satellites shared the ride into Earth orbit Wednesday night, blasting off from the jungles of South America aboard Europe's Ariane 5G rocket. Read our full story.

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

Officials at the launch control center report that contact has been established with Optus C1 and BSAT 2c, confirming both the spacecraft are functioning following the launch.

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

Arianespace has declared today's launch a success!

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

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

Plus+35 minutes, 3 seconds. The Japanese BSAT 2c direct broadcasting spacecraft has been deployed from the Ariane 5 rocket's upper stage, completing today's launch. Applause has erupted in the launch control center.

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

Plus+34 minutes, 24 seconds. Arianespace has now confirmed that the Sylda 5 dual payload adapter was jettisoned a short time ago. The Optus craft sat atop this barrel-like structure during launch and enclosed BSAT 2c. Now that Sylda has separated, the upper stage will maneuver itself and prepare for deployment of BSAT 2c.

2309 GMT (7:09 p.m. EDT)

Plus+31 minutes. Arianespace has announced that the Australian Optus and Defence C1 communications satellite was 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, BSAT 2c can been deployed.

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

Plus+29 minutes, 30 seconds. No further word on the progress of the flight is available from Arianespace.

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

Plus+28 minutes, 30 seconds. Confirmation of upper stage cutoff has not been announced. Separation of the Optus spacecraft should have happened by now, too.

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

Plus+27 minutes, 30 seconds. Arianespace is still awaiting confirmation of upper stage engine cutoff.

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

Plus+26 minutes. The upper stage is nearing the completion of its firing.

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

Plus+25 minutes. Altitude 1,360 km, velocity is 8.48 km/sec.

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

Plus+24 minutes. Altitude 1,207 km, velocity is 8.44 km/sec.

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

Plus+23 minutes, 30 seconds. Altitude 1,136 km, velocity is 8.42 km/sec.

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

Plus+23 minutes. Altitude 1,068 km, velocity is 8.40 km/sec.

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

Plus+22 minutes. The Malindi, Kenya island tracking station in Africa has picked up the rocket's signal. Altitude 941 km, velocity is 8.36 km/sec.

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

Plus+21 minutes. Altitude 826 km, velocity is 8.32 km/sec.

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

Plus+20 minutes. Altitude 721 km, velocity is 8.28 km/sec.

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

Plus+19 minutes. Altitude 627 km, velocity is 8.24 km/sec.

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

Plus+18 minutes, 30 seconds. Vehicle parameters are still reported normal. Altitude 584 km, velocity is 8.23 km/sec.

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

Plus+18 minutes. Altitude 545 km, velocity is 8.20 km/sec.

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

Plus+17 minutes, 15 seconds. Altitude 487 km, velocity is 8.17 km/sec.

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

Plus+16 minutes, 30 seconds. Altitude 435 km, velocity is 8.14 km/sec.

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

Plus+16 minutes. Altitude 403 km, velocity is 8.11 km/sec.

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

Plus+15 minutes. The Ariane 5 systems are normal with no problems reported by Arianespace during the launch. Altitude 345 km, velocity is 8.07 km/sec.

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

Plus+14 minutes. The upper stage continues to fire. Altitude 294 km, velocity is 8.01 km/sec.

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

Plus+12 minutes, 50 seconds. The Ascension island tracking station in the Atlantic has picked up the rocket's signal.

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

Plus+12 minutes, 40 seconds. Altitude is 235 km, velocity is 7.94 km/sec.

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

Plus+12 minutes. Altitude is 211 km, velocity is 7.9 km/sec.

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

Plus+11 minutes. Altitude is 177 km, velocity is 7.8 km/sec.

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

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

2248 GMT (6:48 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 before completing an orbit of Earth.

2247 GMT (6:47 p.m. EDT)

Plus+9 minutes, 15 seconds. The rocket is beginning to gain altitude again. Altitude is 132.8 km, velocity is 6.9 km/sec.

2247 GMT (6:47 p.m. EDT)

Plus+9 minutes. Coming up on main stage shutdown in about one minute.

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

Plus+8 minutes, 30 seconds. The Natal tracking station in Brazil has picked up the rocket's signal.

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

Plus+8 minutes, 15 seconds. Altitude is 131 km, velocity is 5.6 km/sec.

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

Plus+7 minutes, 15 seconds. Altitude is 138 km, velocity is 4.7 km/sec.

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

Plus+6 minutes, 45 seconds. The rocket is no longer climbing in altitude in order to gain speed. This is a "sling-shot" maneuver. Altitude is 142 km, velocity is 4.25 km/sec.

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

Plus+6 minutes. Altitude is 144.9 km, velocity is 3.71 km/sec.

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

Plus+5 minutes, 30 seconds. Altitude is 144 km, velocity is 3.3 km/sec.

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

Plus+5 minutes. Altitude is 141 km, velocity is 3.1 km/sec.

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

Plus+4 minutes. Altitude is 125.7 km, velocity is 2.6 km/sec.

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

Plus+3 minutes, 25 seconds. The protective payload fairing enclosing the two satellites has been separated from the Ariane 5.

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

Plus+3 minutes. Altitude is 85.6 km, velocity is 2.25 km/sec.

2240 GMT (6:40 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.

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

Plus+2 minutes. Altitude 47.6 km, velocity 1.98 km/sec.

2239 GMT (6:39 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.

2239 GMT (6:39 p.m. EDT)

Plus+1 minute, 5 seconds. Vehicle parameters are reported normal.

2238 GMT (6:38 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.

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

LIFTOFF! Liftoff of the Arianespace Ariane 5 carrying communications spacecraft for Australia and Japan. And the vehicle has cleared the pad!

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

Minus-40 seconds. Vehicle is now switching to internal power.

2237:15 GMT (6:37:15 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.

2236 GMT (6:36 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.

2235 GMT (6:35 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.

2234 GMT (6:34 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 2238 GMT (6:38 p.m. EDT).

2232 GMT (6:32 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.

2231 GMT (6:31 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.

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

Minus-7 minutes and counting! The countdown has resumed for today's launch of the Ariane 5 rocket. Launch is set for 2238 GMT.

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

The launch team has been told that the countdown will be restarted momentarily. The topping sequence for the main stage is being adjusted for Vulcain 1 engine, a new countdown step that has been used for this and the last Ariane 5 mission.

2223 GMT (6:23 p.m. EDT)

The countdown remains holding at Minus-7 minutes. So liftoff has been delayed beyond the 2230 GMT (6:30 p.m. EDT) target. There has been no announcement from Arianespace of a new launch time. Today's launch window extends to 2302 GMT.

2219 GMT (6:19 p.m. EDT)

An Arianespace spokesman says the launch team is still loading liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen propellants into the Ariane 5's main stage. The fueling operation was delayed this afternoon due to bad weather at the South American launch site.

2214 GMT (6:14 p.m. EDT)

The status panel in the launch control center is currently showing a red "no go" condition for the launch pad. There has been no word from Arianespace on what the problem is. The countdown is holding at Minus-7 minutes with a target launch time of 2230 GMT.

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

Minus-7 minutes and holding. Unfavorable weather delayed the fueling of Ariane 5 earlier today, forcing the launch countdown to be shifted nearly an hour. As a result liftoff is now targeted to occur at 2230 GMT (6:30 p.m. EDT). Today's available launch window closes at 2302 GMT (7:02 p.m. EDT).

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

Weather factors have delayed today's countdown for the launch of an Ariane 5 rocket. Liftoff has been rescheduled for 2230 GMT (6:30 p.m. EDT).

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 11, 2003

Topped with communications satellites for Australia and Japan, an Ariane 5 rocket is sitting on its pad at the Guiana Space Center in French Guiana for today's launch.

Liftoff is scheduled for 2136 GMT (5:36 p.m. EDT). The day's available launch window extends to 2302 GMT (7:02 p.m. EDT).

Arianespace Flight 161 will place the Australian Optus and Defence C1 communications satellite and the Japanese BSAT 2c direct broadcasting spacecraft into geosynchronous transfer orbit.

The Optus and Defence C1 is headed for geostationary orbit where it will be parked at 156 degrees East longitude over Melanesia. The craft, built by a team comprised of Mitsubishi Electric Corporation, Space Systems/Loral and Raytheon Systems Company, is designed to provide commercial telecommunications service over Australia, New Zealand, East Asia and Hawaii, and serve the Australian Department of Defence with dedicated links in UHF, X-band and Ka-band.

The BSAT 2c will be operated from 110 degrees longitude by the Broadcasting Satellite System Corporation of Japan. It was built by Orbital Sciences Corporation. The spacecraft will provide digital television broadcast transmissions across Japan.

Watch this page for status reports during the final countdown and throughout the launch sequence.