Following procedures similar to those used prior to every Ariane flight, the review validated the Soyuz launcher's "go" status, along with the readiness of its launch site, the Spaceport's infrastructure and the telemetry network system.

"We are fully within the planning for this dry run exercise, with our major milestones being performed on schedule - including the launch readiness review," said Bruno Gerard, Arianespace's project head for Soyuz at the Spaceport. "This continues to underscore the launcher's maturity as we move toward its maiden flight later this year."

The review meeting, conducted in the main conference room of Arianespace's Galilee office complex at the Spaceport, brought together European and Russian representatives for this in-depth mission readiness overview - the first ever performed for Soyuz in French Guiana.

In parallel with this step, vehicles used for fueling the Soyuz began moving to the launch pad for a start-up of fueling procedure validations with the launcher. The current exercise with Soyuz - which opened with its April 29 rollout to the launch zone in the Spaceport's northern sector - does not involve actual fueling, which is why these operations have been given the "dry run" designation.

The first of two final countdowns will be performed tomorrow, May 4, including the mobile service tower's 80-meter rollback from the launch pad to its parking position at 1 hr. 30 min. before scheduled liftoff. This is to provide the initial view of a completely-assembled Soyuz at the Spaceport. It will be followed by a planned halt in the countdown, allowing the validation of procedures for a launch-day interruption scenario.

A new countdown will be performed on May 5, continuing through the Soyuz' simulated liftoff and downrange mission trajectory.

earlier related report
Ariane 5 makes its first rollout for Arianespace's next heavy-lift mission
Preparations for Arianespace's third Ariane 5 mission of 2011 are entering their final phase in French Guiana following the heavy-lift launcher's transfer for the integration of its ST-2 and GSAT-8 dual-passenger payload.

This activity involved Ariane 5's afternoon rollout from the Launcher Integration Building to the Final Assembly Building at the Spaceport. These two facilities are located 650 meters apart, and are linked by a 1,600-meter semi-circular rail track that allows the movement of Ariane 5 on its mobile launch table.

During its time in the Launcher Integration Building, the vehicle's initial assembly was performed - involving the core cryogenic stage's integration with its two solid propellant boosters, followed by installation of the upper composite incorporating the vehicle equipment bay and ESC-A cryogenic upper stage.

With the rollout to the Final Assembly Building, Ariane 5 was formally handed over to Arianespace, which will oversee the integration of ST-2 and GSAT-8, followed by its rollout to the launch zone and the liftoff on May 19 during an evening launch window lasting 1 hr. 32 min.

Arianespace Mission Director Thierry Wilmart said launch preparations continue as planned, with this 202nd flight of an Ariane vehicle involving two interesting satellite manufacturers and customers.

"The mission brings together two very diverse cultures, as well as two different approaches to the way the satellites are prepared," Wilmart explained. "With GSAT-8, its manufacturer, ISRO [the Indian Space Research Organisation], performs an in-depth checkout; while Japan's Mitsubishi Electric Corporation has a fairly short preparation process for ST-2 that includes a relatively rapid electrical testing phase."

GSAT-8 continues India's long-term relationship with Ariane launch services, which dates back to the orbiting of the country's APPLE experimental payload 30 years ago. A total of 13 Indian satellites have been lofted by various Ariane launcher versions, starting with the APPLE payload in 1981. In addition, the HYLAS 1 satellite platform - produced by India for Avanti Communications - was orbited last November by an Ariane 5. Another satellite operated by India was INSAT-2DT, which originally was launched by Arianespace in 1992 as Arabsat-1C, and acquired by ISRO in November 1997.

During the current launch campaign, the ISRO team has performed a full range of checkout tests for GSAT-8 at the Spaceport, including deployment of its solar panels and antennas.

GSAT-8 uses ISRO's I-3K satellite bus, and will have a liftoff mass of 3,100 kg. Its payload of 24 transponders will augment India's Ku-band relay capabilities, while the two-channel GAGAN (GPS and GEO augmented navigation) system will support India's implementation of a satellite-based augmentation system for aircraft navigation over the country's airspace and in adjoining areas.

The upcoming launch with ST-2 will mark the second opportunity for a Mitsubishi Electric Corporation-built satellite to be orbited by Arianespace. This 5,090-kg. relay platform uses the company's DS2000 satellite bus - and is the first time the Japanese manufacturer has entered the commercial telecommunications satellite market outside of the country.

ST-2 will be utilized by the ST-2 Satellite Ventures joint company of Singapore Telecommunications Ltd (SingTel) and Taiwan's Chunghwa Telecom Company Ltd. for Ku- and C-band relay services over the Middle East, Central Asia, India and Southeast Asia. It will succeed the ST-1 spacecraft, which was launched by Arianespace in 1998.

Ariane 5's dual-payload "stack" for the May 19 mission will place ST-2 in the upper passenger slot, while GSAT-8 is to ride in the lower position.

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