VINASAT-1 Fuels Excitement For Arianespace

The VINASAT-1 payload for Arianespace’s upcoming dual-passenger Ariane 5 mission has been fueled at the Spaceport in French Guiana, marking a key milestone in its pre-launch preparations. Built by Lockheed Martin Commercial Space Systems for the Vietnam Posts and Telecommunications Group, VINASAT-1 is the first Vietnamese telecommunications satellite. The satellite’s relay services will improve the nation’s communication networks infrastructure and remove the dependence on ground networks, allowing all of Vietnam’s rural communities and hamlets to be equipped with telephones and televisions. Fueling of VINASAT-1 was performed in the state-of-the-art S5 payload preparation facility at Europe‘s Spaceport. VINASAT-1 is based on Lockheed Martin’s A2100A spacecraft bus and will have a mass at liftoff of about 2,600 kg. The satellite is equipped with a mix of C- and Ku-band transponders and will operate from a geostationary orbit position of 132° E. Last year, Ariane 5 successfully orbited two other satellites of this type: ASTRA 1L in May, and BSAT-3a in August, both of which were carried on the launcher’s trademark dual payload missions. For the upcoming Ariane 5 flight, which is targeted for mid-April, VINASAT-1 will be orbited along with the Star One C2 satellite for Brazilian telecommunications operator Star One. Star One C2 also is undergoing its checkout and preparation process at the Spaceport.