Arianespace sets March 26 for its initial Ariane 5 mission of 2010

Liftoff of the first Ariane 5 in 2010 – which will carry the dual civilian and military satellite payload of ASTRA 3B and COMSATBw-2 – is planned for the evening of March 26 from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana. This mission will be the 194th flight of an Ariane family launch vehicle, and the 50th for an Ariane 5.