PAYLOAD “STACK” BUILD-UP IS UNDERWAY FOR NEXT ARIANE 5 MISSION

Spacecraft integration activity for Arianespace’s August 21 launch began yesterday with JCSAT-12’s installation atop the Ariane 5 SYLDA dual-payload dispenser system. This telecommunications satellite will ride as the flight’s upper passenger and is to be deployed first in the mission sequence, followed by the Optus D3 spacecraft.