WORLD WIDE WEB — On Sunday, March 11th, 2007 at 6:03PM EDT, Arianespace will launch an Ariane 5 rocket with a Skynet 5A and INSAT 4B dual-satellite payload.

Ariane 5 with Skynet5/INSAT4B payload.

Skynet 5A has a liftoff mass of approximately 4,700 kg., and will provide secure communications for the British armed forces, NATO nations and other countries. Built by Astrium, it will be operated by the private company Paradigm Secure Communications for Britain's Ministry of Defence. INSAT 4B weighs approximately 3,000 kg. for launch, and carries a payload of 12 C-band and 12 Ku-band transponders for television/telecommunications coverage over India.

Arianespace has completed integration of the dual satellite payload, clearing the way for the launch vehicle's roll-out later this week at Europe's Spaceport in French Guiana. Liftoff of the Ariane 5 with INSAT 4B and Skynet 5A is set for Sunday, March 11, at the opening of the launch window. 

In support of the launch, Rocketry Planet has made arrangements to broadcast the launch live in a sponsored Arianespace-TV webcast in Rocketry Planet's chat rooms. The webcast will begin at 5:00PM EDT, with an 55 minute launch window opening at 6:03PM EDT. 

The webcast is only available to registered users, but registration is easy and free. You must be logged in prior to entering the webcast and you must enter the special Arianespace Live Webcast link to view the webcast. To enter the webcast, simply click the link below:

Enter the Arianespace Live Webcast

The Arianespace Live Webcast is brought to you by Yahoo!

03-10-2007 08:40 PM  #1
ddmobley Administrator   Joined: Jul 2006 Posts: 3189	Arianespace Flight SKYNET 5A – INSAT 4B: Launch postponed Kourou, March 10, 2007 – During the final chronology for the launch, an anomaly appeared on a ground equipment. Arianespace has decided to postpone the launch for 24 hours. The lift off is now schedule on the night of March 11 to 12, as soon as possible within the following launch window: between 10:03 pm and 10:58 pm (GMT) – between 7:03 pm and 7:58pm, Kourou time. The above article has been updated to reflect the new launch times of 6:03PM EDT Sunday, March 11, 2007.