7 days until New Dawn lift-off! Satellite attached to Ariane 5 r
7 days until New Dawn lift-off! Satellite attached to Ariane 5 r
One week to go to the launch, final preparations are taking place in French Guiana. Update on recent New Dawn activity:
22 March 2011
Technicians from manufacturer, Orbital Sciences Corporation, attached the satellite lift sling to Intelsat New Dawn and handed over the crane operations to launch provider, Arianespace. They lifted the satellite over 100 feet in the air and attached it to the top of the Ariane 5 launcher. Once the satellite was secured onto the adapter, the Orbital technicians powered up the satellite to verify its health. Everything is right on schedule for the 30th of March 2011 launch and the satellite is healthy!
19 March 2011
Today, the Intelsat New Dawn satellite was readied for transport from the Payload Processing Facility (PPF). The satellite is loaded onto the transportation container, which is comprised of two half shells as per attached picture. This “cocoon” will protect the satellite from rain, humidity, and other contamination. Arianespace will transport the cocoon to the Final Assembly Building tonight. On 22 March, the container will be opened up and the satellite will be taken our and lifted via giant crane in order to place it on top of the Ariane 5 launcher.
18 March 2011
The big event of the day was moving the fully-fuelled Intelsat New Dawn satellite and mating it to the Launch Vehicle Adapter (LVA). This LVA is a metal, conical-shaped ring which is the interface between the satellite and the Ariane 5 launcher. This LVA interface holds the satellite securely in place during liftoff. Once the Ariane 5 rocket reaches the drop-off orbit, the adapter has explosive bolts that release a Marman clamp. From there, the satellite is gradually pushed away from the launcher with a mechanical spring. From there, the satellite will complete its orbit-raising to a geosynchronous orbit using its own satellite fuel.
17 March 2011
The Intelsat New Dawn satellite successfully completed all the fueling operations today and will be getting ready to start the combined operations. The satellite weight is 3,000 Kilograms, as per the manufacturer’s exact specification.