Pre-launch checkout is continuing at the Spaceport in French Guiana for Intelsat New Dawn, which is one of two spacecraft passengers to be orbited on Arianespace’s next Ariane 5 mission, scheduled for March 29. Produced by Orbital Sciences Corporation in Dulles, Virginia, Intelsat New Dawn is equipped with 28 C-band and 24 Ku-band 36 MHz transponders designed specifically to supply critical communications infrastructure for African customers. After its deployment by Ariane 5, the satellite will be positioned at a geostationary orbital slot at 32.8° East for its Africa area coverage.