Arianespace begins final countdown for third Ariane 5 flight of 2010

The final countdown for Ariane 5’s mission with the NILESAT 201 and RASCOM-QAF1R satellites is underway at Europe’s Spaceport. Liftoff of this workhorse vehicle is scheduled for this evening at the start of a 109-minute launch window that opens at 5:45 p.m. local time in French Guiana.