The “green light” has been given for Ariane 5’s heavy-lift mission with the GSAT-8 and ST-2 spacecraft. Its go-ahead followed today’s successful launch readiness review (May 17), which validated the status of Ariane 5 and its dual-satellite payload, the launch infrastructure at Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana, and the network of downrange tracking stations.
This authorization clears the way for Ariane 5’s rollout from its Final Assembly Building to the Spaceport’s ELA-3 launch zone, which will take place on Thursday, May 19. Liftoff of the Ariane 5 is planned on May 20 at 5:38 p.m. local time in French Guiana.