International Launch Services and Eutelsat are completing arrangements for the launch of a European Eutelsat spacecraft on the first flight of the Lockheed Martin Atlas V in May 2002.

The first Atlas V rocket arrives at Lockheed Martin's new Atlas Spaceflight Operations Center at Complex 41. Photo: Justin Ray/Spaceflight Now

The flight of a European payload on a new U.S. Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle represents a major win for ILS over Arianespace. It also is a significant ILS/Lockheed Martin win over the Boeing Delta IV, where managers believed they had the Eutelsat contract secured.

ILS also was able to land Eutelsat as the first payload for its initial Atlas III flight last year (AW&ST May 29, 2000, p. 29). ILS managers said at the time they also hoped to win Eutelsat for the first Atlas V by using the same innovative pricing and insurance arrangement pioneered with the Atlas III sale.

Since an inaugural flight carries higher risk, Eutelsat received a significant discount from ILS on its Atlas V launch price.

The Eutelsat will be launched on board the Atlas V 401 series with the capability to place 10,900-lb. payloads in geosynchronous transfer orbit. The vehicle is powered by a Russian Energomash RD-180 engine and uses a new Contraves 4-meter composite fairing. The 401 version uses a single-engine Centaur upper stage and no solid rocket boosters.

The first Atlas V arrived here in June to check out the vehicle's new Launch Complex 41 facilities.