ABS-2 and Athena-Fidus begin their Spaceport preparations for Arianespace’s launch on Ariane 5

Processing has begun for the two payloads to be orbited by Arianespace on Ariane 5: the multi-mission ABS-2, with telecommunications coverage for 60 percent of the world’s population; and Athena-Fidus, which is to provide data transmission services for the French and Italian defense ministries, as well as these countries’ security organizations.