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| During integration activity inside the Spaceport’s final assembly building for Ariane 5, the payload fairing containing Alphasat is lowered over INSAT-3D to create the launcher’s dual-payload “stack.”
Image credit: ESA
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[Satellite TODAY 07-19-13] Following integration of its full payload stack, the heavy-lift Ariane 5 is now complete in preparation for its July 25 launch. The booster will place ESA’s Alphasat – built by Astrium – and ISRO’s INSAT 3D – a meteorological satellite – spacecraft in orbit.
Encapsulated in its ogive-shaped protective fairing, Alphasat was lowered into place over INSAT 3D, which was installed atop Ariane 5’s cryogenic core stage during activity earlier in the week. These integration steps were performed inside the Spaceport’s Final Assembly Building for Ariane 5, enabling a new series of preparation milestones to begin. They include the launch readiness review on July 23, followed by Ariane 5’s rollout to the ELA-3 launch zone the next day, and subsequent countdown to the July 25 liftoff during during a 1-hour, 18-minute launch window that opens at 4:53 p.m. local time in French Guiana.
Ariane 5 is expected to deliver a payload lift performance of more than 9,750 kg for the upcoming mission, which includes a combined total of some 8,770 kg for Alphasat and INSAT 3D, plus the launcher’s SYLDA dual-passenger dispenser system and satellite integration hardware.
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