The second Ariane 5 of 2011 has moved to the ELA-3 launch zone at Europe’s Spaceport, clearing the way for its March 30 evening liftoff with a dual-satellite payload of Yahsat Y1A and Intelsat New Dawn.
Preparations now are underway for tomorrow’s final countdown, which will lead to liftoff during a launch window that opens at 6:45 p.m. local time in French Guiana and continues to 7:52 p.m.
Ariane 5’s payload lift performance for this mission is nearly 10,065 kg., which includes a mass of 8,965 kg. for its two satellite passengers, along with the associated integration hardware and the launcher’s SYLDA multi-payload dispenser system.