While the mission highlights Arianespace’s continued commercial leadership, it also underscores the critical and long-term contribution of GTD at the Guiana Space Center (CSG).
GTD: Supporting Ariane Launch Operations Since 1992
GTD has been actively participating in Ariane launch operations since 1992 — starting from the 49th Ariane mission.
With this latest launch, GTD engineers have supported 142 consecutive Ariane missions, reinforcing the company’s role as a key technological partner at Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana.
Over nearly three decades, GTD has contributed to:
- Ground segment control systems
- Mission control infrastructure
- Telemetry and radar systems
- Launch operation software
- Real-time critical systems
This sustained presence highlights GTD’s expertise in mission-critical aerospace operations and long-term program continuity.
Ariane 5: Dual-Payload Precision Performance
The mission carried:
- Amazonas-2, a civilian telecommunications satellite for Spain’s HISPASAT
- COMSATBw-1, a secure military communications satellite for Germany
The combined payload mass exceeded 7,900 kg, bringing Ariane 5’s total lift performance in 2009 to approximately 34,000 kg.
The launcher achieved highly accurate orbital injection parameters:
- Perigee: 249.7 km (target: 249.7 km)
- Apogee: 35,959 km (target: 35,949 km)
- Inclination: 3.00° (target: 3.00°)
Such precision reflects the robustness of the launcher and the reliability of its ground systems — an area where GTD’s contribution is essential.
A Long-Term Commitment to Europe’s Launcher Family
This launch marked the 191st mission of the Ariane family since 1979. GTD’s participation across 142 consecutive missions demonstrates not only technical capability, but also operational resilience and trust from Europe’s space industry.
Each Ariane 5 launch requires weeks of preparation, real-time monitoring and post-launch analysis — all supported by advanced ground systems and engineering teams on site.
Through its continuous involvement at the Guiana Space Center, GTD plays a fundamental role in ensuring:
- Launch safety
- Operational reliability
- Accurate orbital delivery
- Seamless coordination between onboard and ground systems
Strengthening Europe’s Access to Space
The successful orbiting of Amazonas-2 and COMSATBw-1 reinforces Ariane 5’s position as a global reference in commercial and institutional launch services.
For GTD, this milestone further consolidates its position as a trusted partner in Europe’s space transportation infrastructure, contributing to decades of uninterrupted launch support.
