The fourth Ariane 5 flight for this year is continuing its preparation in French Guiana for launch, as Arianespace ensures the mission’s ProtoStar-I payload is fueled in the S5A hall of the Spaceport’s satellite work facility. This large satellite platform is based on Space Systems/Loral’s 1300 spacecraft bus, and will provide K- and C-band relay capacity over Asia. ProtoStar-I is the first in a fleet of relay platforms Asian satellite services company ProtoStar plans to launch for advanced satellite television services and two-way broadband communications access. The spacecraft was designed to meet the needs of emerging and existing direct-to-home (DTH) operators in Asia, as well as other broadband communication requirements in the region. Arianespace’s upcoming mission is scheduled for July 4th, using an Ariane 5 ECA heavy-lift launcher version. ProtoStar I will be joined by Saudi Arabia’s BADR-6 satellite on another of Ariane 5’s trademark dual-passenger flights.
ProtoStar-I Gets Pumped Up, Fuel-wise
The fourth Ariane 5 flight for this year is continuing its preparation in French Guiana for launch, as Arianespace ensures the mission’s ProtoStar-I payload is fueled in the S5A hall of the Spaceport’s satellite work facility. This large satellite platform is based on Space Systems/Loral’s 1300 spacecraft bus, and will provide K- and C-band relay capacity over Asia. ProtoStar-I is the first in a fleet of relay platforms Asian satellite services company ProtoStar plans to launch for advanced satellite television services and two-way broadband communications access. The spacecraft was designed to meet the needs of emerging and existing direct-to-home (DTH) operators in Asia, as well as other broadband communication requirements in the region. Arianespace’s upcoming mission is scheduled for July 4th, using an Ariane 5 ECA heavy-lift launcher version. ProtoStar I will be joined by Saudi Arabia’s BADR-6 satellite on another of Ariane 5’s trademark dual-passenger flights.
