Ariane 5's
Dual-Payload Success: A Photo Report
(18 April 2008) Ariane 5's April 18
mission with Star One C2 and Vinasat-1 continued the string of consecutive
successes for Arianespace's workhorse launcher at the service of customers
around the world.
The flight was performed from Europe's
Spaceport, where our photo report provides a look at activity from Ariane 5's
rollout on April 17 to its on-time lift-off April 18.
This image, taken from an upper level of the Spaceport's Final Assembly Building, shows a portion of Ariane 5's payload fairing and provides a view of the dual-rail track leading to the ELA-3 launch zone. The Spaceport's launch infrastructure flexibility allows two Ariane 5s to be prepared in parallel - one in the Final Assembly Building, and the other in the nearby Launcher Integration Building. (courtesy: Arianespace)
The Ariane 5 is ready for its rollout from the Final Assembly Building during the morning hours of April 17. The vehicle is installed on one of two mobile launch tables used for Ariane 5 missions, which is moved by a special-purpose tug vehicle at a speed of approximately 4 km./hr. (courtesy: ESA, CNES, Arianespace, Photo Optique Video du CSG)
Ariane 5 is poised for lift-off from the ELA-3 launch zone. Surrounding the launcher are four large towers that provide protection from possible lightning strikes. Also visible is the network of pipes that deliver a water deluge to the launch pad for acoustic damping during the Ariane 5's propulsion system start-up and lift-off. (courtesy: ESA, CNES, Arianespace, Photo Optique Video du CSG)
Two propellant feed arms provide liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen to the Ariane 5 ECA's cryogenic upper stage. These arms are retracted several seconds prior to the ignition of Ariane 5's main engine and the launcher's two solid rocket boosters. (courtesy: ESA, CNES, Arianespace, Photo Optique Video du CSG)
The April 18 dual-satellite mission used a 17-meter-tall payload fairing to protect the Star One C2 upper payload during initial climbout, while the VINASAT-1 lower payload was installed inside a 6.4-meter tall SYLDA 5 payload dispenser. (courtesy: ESA, CNES, Arianespace, Photo Optique Video du CSG)
Arianespace's nighttime lift-off is reflected along the French Guiana shores as Ariane 5 ascends on the power of its cryogenic main engine and two solid rocket boosters. The Spaceport's location close to the equator is ideally situated for missions into geostationary orbit. (courtesy: ESA, CNES, Arianespace, Photo Optique Video du CSG)
(source: Arianespace)
