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