Spaceflight Now: Mission Report


BY SPACEFLIGHT NOW WRITERS

December 20, 2000 -- Follow the preparations and launch of the Arianespace Ariane 508 rocket carrying the Astra 2D and GE-8 communications satellites. Reload this page for the very latest on the mission.
Flight data file
Vehicle: Ariane 508
Payload: Astra 2D & GE-8
Launch date: Dec. 20, 2000
Launch window: 0026-0109 GMT (7:26-8:09 p.m. EST on 19th)
Launch site: ELA-3, Kourou, French Guiana
Broadcast coordinates: GE-7, Transponder 16, C-band

Snapshot
Ariane 508
The Ariane 508 rocket sits on the pad awaiting launch tonight. Photo: Courtesy Arianespace TV