Arianespace has set June 24 for its next Ariane 5 mission, which will use the increased-lift Ariane 5 ECA version to launch a dual satellite payload.
The mission’s two satellites Spaceway 2 for DIRECTV and the Telkom 2 satellite for PT Telkom Indonesia – currently are undergoing final checkout at the Spaceport’s S5 payload preparation facility in French Guiana.
These two passengers will provide a heavyweight payload for the Ariane 5 ECA’s increased lift capability. With a launch mass of 6,116 kg., Spaceway 2 will be one of the heaviest commercial telecommunications satellites ever launched, while Telkom 2 will add an additional 1,975 kg. to the payload stack.
For additional information on the upcoming Ariane 5 flight, see our Mission Update story and the press release on the Arianespace Website: http://www.arianespace.com