Arianespace delivered two more telecommunications satellites into orbit for its international customer base today, using Ariane 5 to orbit ProtoStar I and BADR-6 on a heavy-lift mission from the Spaceport in French Guiana. This 40th flight of an Ariane 5 is part of the seven missions planned by Arianespace in 2008 – making it the busiest year for this workhorse launcher since the vehicle's commercial introduction in 1999. "Today's success – the fourth in 2008, and our eighth during the past 11 months – demonstrates the full capabilities that we have to offer," said Arianespace Chairman & CEO Jean-Yves Le Gall in comments after the launch. "Ariane 5 brings together power and reliability, combined with the increase in launch rate to meet our customers' needs." Payload performance for today's mission was approximately 8,640 kg. – which included more than 7,530 kg. for the mission's ProtoStar I and BADR-6 spacecraft passengers, along with their integration hardware and the SYLDA 5 multiple satellite dispenser system. Photo: Ariane 5 orbits ProtoStar I and BADR-6 on its fourth mission of 2008 ProtoStar I is the first satellite for a new operator – the ProtoStar telecommunciations service provider. Built by Space Systems/Loral with the 1300 spacecraft bus, ProtoStar I will provide relay capacity over Asia for direct-to-home (DTH) television broadcasting, as well as broadband communication requirements across the region. "This satellite is the best example of the extraordinary developments in high-definition direct TV broadcasting and high data rate Internet links," Le Gall explained. "In these areas, Arianespace is the launch services provider that satellite operators prefer by far." The ProtoStar I satellite was the 33rd Space Systems/Loral-built payload orbited by Arianespace, and it carries 22 36MHz-equivalent Ku-band transponders and 38 36MHz-equivalent C-band transponders for operation from an orbital position of 98.5 deg. East.
