First Ariane 5 launch of 2022 is a success for Malaysia and India clients

Thu, 23 Jun 2022 04:29:16 GMT
Space Daily

Kourou, French Guiana (ESA) Jun 22, 2022 On Wednesday, June 22, 2022 at 06:50 pm local time, an...

On Wednesday, June 22, 2022 at 06:50 pm local time, an Ariane 5 launcher lifted off from the Guiana Space Center, Europe's Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana, successfully orbiting two geostationary telecommunication satellites, MEASAT-3d and GSAT-24.

"With this Ariane 5 mission, Arianespace is honored to support the ambitions of two key actors in the Asia-Pacific region: MEASAT, the leading Malaysian satellite operator and NewSpace India Limited, a Government of India company within the Department of Space acting in concert with the Indian Space Agency ISRO.".

GSAT-24 is a Ku-band 4-ton class communications satellite built by the Indian Space Research Organization for NewSpace India Limited that will provide high-quality television, telecommunications and broadcasting services across India.

It will be the first "Demand Driven" communications satellite mission undertaken by NSIL. "After the successful launch of the James Webb Space Telescope, this new achievement helps Ariane 5 write a new chapter in space history", said Andre-Hubert Roussel, CEO of ArianeGroup.

"Ariane 5 demonstrates its reliability once again, justifying the trust of Arianespace's customers worldwide. Its successes are tied to Ariane 6, which benefits from the same reliability along with increased competitiveness and versatility."

The Ariane 5 heavy-lift launcher is an ESA program carried out in cooperation between public institutions and industry across 12 European partner states.

ArianeGroup is the lead contractor for the development and production of Ariane 5, and is responsible for campaign operations and preparation of the launch vehicle up to lift-off.

ArianGroup hands over a "Ready to fly" rocket to its subsidiary Arianespace, which sells the Ariane 5 and operates it from the Guiana Space Center in French Guiana.

During launch campaigns, Arianespace works closely with CNES, who is the design authority for the Ariane 5 and controls the satellite preparation facilities at the CSG. After this launch, four Ariane 5 vehicles remain before the Ariane 6 takes up the baton, supporting Europe's institutional missions, while meeting the growing needs of the commercial market.

Launcher integration for the inaugural flight of Vega-C began with the P120C solid-fuel first stage being delivered to the Vega Launch Zone at Europe's Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana on 15 April 2022.