First Ariane 5 Commercial Launch Slated for December 10
EVRY, France --- Arianespace has scheduled its first commercial flight of Europe's new Ariane 5 heavy-lift launcher for December 10.
This mission, designated Flight 119/AR 504, is to carry the European Space Agency's XMM scientific satellite, and will be performed from Europe's Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana.
The flight will mark an industry milestone, with Ariane 5 becoming the first new-generation heavy-lift launch vehicle to enter commercial service. Ariane 5 was qualified for commercial operations after its third validation mission, conducted in October 1998.
Arianespace plans to perform as many as six commercial Ariane 5 launches in 2000.
Launch campaign planning: activity resumed October 20 in Kourou :
*October 20: Resumption of campaign: *Launcher reactivated in the launcher integration building. * Launcher re-configuration begins for a single satellite payload with XMM. * November 19: XMM satellite integrated on Ariane 504 launcher * November 25: Transfer of launcher to the final assembly building * December 6: General rehearsal * December 9: Transfer to launch zone * December 10: Final countdown These dates are provided for information purposes, and may be adjusted according scheduling of the upcoming Ariane 4 launch campaigns: Flight 123/GE- 4, set for November 13; and Flight 124/Helios 1B, planned for early December.
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First Ariane 5 Commercial Launch Slated for December 10
