Ariane 5 Successfully Launches Intelsat 17 and HYLAS 1 on Fifth Arianespace Mission of 2010
Ariane 5 has once again demonstrated its reliability by successfully launching Intelsat 17 and HYLAS 1, further strengthening its position as a global reference in commercial satellite launches.
The mission, the fifth Arianespace launch of 2010, lifted off from the ELA-3 launch zone at the Guiana Space Center (CSG) in French Guiana and lasted 49 minutes. It marked the 54th mission of Ariane 5 and the 198th flight of an Ariane family launcher.
With this success, Ariane 5 achieved its 40th consecutive successful launch.
Precision Orbital Injection
Ariane 5 delivered both telecommunications satellites into geostationary transfer orbit (GTO) with highly accurate injection parameters:
- Perigee: 249.3 km (target: 249.3 km)
- Apogee: 35,950 km (target: 35,943 km)
- Inclination: 1.98° (target: 2.00°)
The precision achieved during upper stage injection once again confirmed the launcher’s performance and reliability.
Intelsat 17: Expanding Global Communications
Intelsat 17 was the first satellite deployed during the mission.
Built by Space Systems/Loral using the LS 1300 Omega platform, the 5,500-kg spacecraft will deliver fixed satellite services across:
- Europe
- Africa
- The Middle East
- India
Operating from an orbital slot at 66° East, Intelsat 17 is equipped with:
- 25 Ku-band transponders
- 24 C-band transponders
The satellite strengthens Intelsat’s position as a leading global provider of fixed satellite communications.
HYLAS 1: Bringing Broadband to Rural Europe
The second passenger, HYLAS 1, is the first satellite launched by Arianespace for Avanti Communications.
Designed and built by EADS Astrium in partnership with the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), HYLAS 1 will provide high-speed broadband services to remote and rural regions across Europe.
Key features include:
- 8 Ka-band beams with flexible bandwidth allocation
- Ku-band broadcast capability
- Operational orbital position at 33.5° West
The satellite’s flexible payload architecture allows bandwidth to be dynamically adjusted, maximizing operational efficiency.
Ariane 5 Maintains Strong Launch Cadence
With this mission, Ariane 5 continued its sustained operational rhythm in 2010. At that point in the year, the launcher had already placed 10 of the 17 large telecommunications satellites launched worldwide into orbit.
The final Ariane 5 launch of 2010 was scheduled for December 21, carrying Hispasat 1E and KOREASAT 6.
