ABS 2 (75.0E)

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ABS 2 (75.0E)

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The ABS-2 And Athena-Fidus Satellites For Launch By Ariane 5 Are Welcomed In French Guiana

December 11, 2013 - Ariane Flight VA217

Both satellite passengers for an Ariane 5 flight planned in early 2014 have arrived at French Guiana, clearing the way for Arianespace’s start-up of payload preparations following their transfer by road to the Spaceport.

The two spacecraft ABS-2 and Athena-Fidus arrived separately at Felix Eboue Airport, located near the capital city of Cayenne, with each delivered this month using a chartered An-124 cargo jetliner.

Produced by Space Systems/Loral in Palo Alto, California, ABS-2 is based on the company's 1300-series platform designed to provide multiple services for global satellite operator ABS, including direct-to-home and cable television distribution, VSAT (very-small-aperture terminal) services, data networks and telecommunications across four continents. It has a designed mission life of 15 years or more, and will operate from ABS prime orbital location of 75 deg. East longitude after its deployment by Ariane 5.

The satellite has been outfitted with 89 active C-band, Ku-band and Ka-band transponders across 10 different beams. These include six dedicated Ku-Band beams for direct-to-home television services in the Eastern Hemisphere and C-Band beams for Africa and Southeast Asia connectivity requirements. Its Ka-Band beam is positioned over the Middle East and North African region to provide service for commercial and military applications.

Athena-Fidus is a French-Italian telecommunications satellite that uses state-of-the-art civil broadband Internet technologies. Funded jointly by French space agency CNES, French defense procurement agency DGA, Italian space agency ASI and the Italian Ministry of Defense, it will provide communications services to both armed forces and civil security agencies in France and Italy.

Program prime contractor Thales Alenia Space produced Athena-Fidus using its Spacebus 4000B2 platform, with the satellite equipped to deploy the latest civil telecom standards DVB-RCS and DVB-S2 to ensure optimum transmission capacity and service availability. It will weigh more than 3,000 kg. at launch, and has a design life exceeding 15 years.
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Re: ABS 2 (75.0E)

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ABS-2 And Athena-Fidus Begin Their Spaceport Preparations For Arianespace's Launch On Ariane 5

December 13, 2013 - Ariane Flight VA217

Processing has begun for the two payloads to be orbited by Arianespace on Ariane 5: the multi-mission ABS-2, with telecommunications coverage for 60 percent of the world’s population; and Athena-Fidus, which is to provide data transmission services for the French and Italian defense ministries, as well as these countries' security organizations.

Both spacecraft are advanced relay platforms, with ABS-2 to become one of the most powerful commercial satellites launched in the Eastern Hemisphere, and Athena-Fidus deploying the latest civil telecom standards – DVB-RCS and DVB-S2 – to ensure optimum transmission capacity and service availability.

The Ariane 5 mission with ABS-2 and Athena-Fidus is planned for early 2014 on Arianespace’s Flight VA217, to be conducted from the Spaceport in French Guiana.

ABS-2 is a C-, Ku- and Ka-band satellite designed to provide multiple services that include direct-to-home and cable television distribution, VSAT services, data networks, and telecommunications services across four continents. Built by Space Systems/Loral (SSL), it will be positioned at 75 deg. East longitude – which is the prime geostationary orbital location for global satellite operator ABS.

Athena-Fidus is a geostationary satellite equipped with EHF and Ka-band transponders for the defense requirements of France and Italy, while also serving such operations as civil security, homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting in the countries. It was built by program prime contractor Thales Alenia Space on behalf of the French and Italian space agencies (CNES and ASI), as well as the French DGA and Italian Segredifesa defense ministry organizations.
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Re: ABS 2 (75.0E)

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The Athena-Fidus Satellite Is Readied For Arianespace's First Heavy-Lift Mission Of 2014

December 24, 2013 – Ariane Flight VA217

The multi-role Athena-Fidus satellite has completed initial checkout at the Spaceport as it is readied for a dual-payload, geostationary transfer orbit launch on Arianespace’s first flight in 2014.

To be lofted January 23 from French Guiana along with the ABS-2 spacecraft aboard a heavy-lift Arianespace Ariane 5, this mission will commence a very busy 2014 – with 12 to 14 launches in preparation.

The year-opening mission carrying Athena-Fidus and ABS-2 is designated Flight VA217 in Arianespace’s numbering system, signifying the 217th launch of an Ariane vehicle since the European-developed launcher family began operations on December 24, 1979.

Athena-Fidus was built by program prime contractor Thales Alenia Space on behalf of the French CNES and Italian ASI space agencies, as well as the French DGA and Italian Segredifesa defense ministry organizations. It will provide data transmission services for the French and Italian defense ministries, as well as these countries' security organizations.

The satellite carries EHF and Ka-band transponders for the defense requirements of the two nations, while also serving such operations as civil and homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting. It derives the Athena-Fidus name from the program reference “Access on theatres for European allied forces nations-French Italian dual use satellite,” and is based on a Spacebus 4000 relay platform. With a liftoff mass of more than 3,000 kg., the spacecraft has an operational design life exceeding 15 years.

Joining Athena-Fidus on the dual-payload Ariane 5 mission is ABS-2 – a C-, Ku- and Ka-band satellite designed to provide global satellite operator ABS with multiple services that include direct-to-home and cable television distribution, VSAT services, data networks, and telecommunications services.

ABS-2 was built by Space Systems/Loral (SSL), and will be one of the most powerful commercial satellites in the Eastern Hemisphere – delivering more than 12 kW of payload power and up to 89 active transponders across 10 different beams. Once positioned at its orbital slot of 75 deg. East longitude, it will bring increased capacity and transmission power to the Middle East, Africa, Asia Pacific, and the Commonwealth of Independent States/Russia.
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Ariane 5 Launch With Athena-Fidus And ABS-2 Is Postponed

January 6, 2014 - Ariane Flight VA217

Arianespace has decided to postpone Flight VA217 originally scheduled for January 23 by a few days, with an equipment change-out planned on this mission’s Ariane 5 ECA vehicle.

A new launch date will be announced very soon.

This mission is scheduled to loft two passengers: the French-Italian Athena-Fidus spacecraft and ABS-2 for global satellite operator ABS.

Athena-Fidus will provide data transmission services for France and Italy’s defense ministries, as well as their security organizations. The multi-mission ABS-2 spacecraft is to offer telecommunications coverage across four continents, reaching 60 percent of the world’s population.
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Dates Set For Arianespace's First Missions Of 2014

January 14, 2014 - Ariane Flight VA217

Designated Flight VA217 in the company’s numbering system, the Ariane 5 mission with the French-Italian Athena-Fidus satellite and ABS-2 spacecraft for global operator ABS will initiate this year’s launch activity, with liftoff now set for February 6 at 5:30 p.m. local time in French Guiana.
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The ABS Global Satellite Operator's ABS-2 Relay Platform Is Fueled For Launch On Ariane 5

January 20, 2014 - Ariane Flight VA217

The ABS-2 spacecraft has been “topped off” at Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana as preparations continue for its launch on Arianespace’s year-opening Ariane 5 mission, which is scheduled for a February 6 liftoff.

Loading of ABS-2’s onboard propellant was performed in the S5B hall of the Spaceport’s large S5 payload preparation facility. This marked a key step ahead of the satellite’s upcoming integration in Ariane 5’s payload “stack,” where ABS-2 will be joined by its Athena-Fidus co-passenger – which also is being readied in French Guiana for launch.

ABS-2 is one of the most powerful commercial spacecraft for the Eastern Hemisphere, to deliver more than 12 kW of payload power and up to 89 active C-, Ku- and Ka-band transponders across 10 different beams. It will be operated by ABS, one of the world’s fastest-growing premium global satellite operators that was established to meet the growing demands of broadcast and telecommunications operators in Africa, Russia, Asia and the Middle East.

The ABS-2 relay platform was built by Space Systems/Loral (SSL), and will provide multiple services that include direct-to-home and cable television distribution, VSAT, data networks and telecommunications, as well as the supply of substantial new capacity from the operator’s prime orbital location at 75 deg. East.

Arianespace’s year-opening mission with the ABS-2 and Athena-Fidus payloads is designated Flight VA217 in the company’s numbering system, signifying the 217th launch of an Ariane vehicle since the European-developed launcher family began operations on December 24, 1979.

Flight VA217’s Athena-Fidus co-passenger will provide data transmission services for the French and Italian defense ministries, as well as these countries' security organizations. This satellite was produced by program prime contractor Thales Alenia Space on behalf of the French CNES and Italian ASI space agencies, as well as the French DGA and Italian Segredifesa defense ministry organizations.
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Athena-Fidus Receives Its "Kick" For Arianespace's Upcoming Ariane 5 Launch

January 21, 2014 – Ariane Flight VA217

Fueling is underway at the Spaceport with Athena-Fidus, one of two advanced relay platforms to be orbited on Arianespace's first mission in 2014 – which will initiate a highly active year for the company's launch vehicle family: Ariane 5, Soyuz and Vega.

The satellite is being processed in the S5A fueling and integration hall of the Spaceport's S5 payload preparation center, marking another step toward its scheduled February 6 liftoff on a heavy-lift Ariane 5. Athena-Fidus will be joined on the flight by ABS-2, which completed its own fueling process earlier in January.

This upcoming mission from French Guiana is designated Flight VA217 in Arianespace's numbering system, signifying the 217th launch of an Ariane vehicle since the European-developed launcher family began operations in December 1979. It will lift off from the Spaceport's ELA-3 launch zone during a 2-hour, 5-minute launch window that opens at 5:30 p.m. local time on February 6.

Thales Alenia Space is the Athena-Fidus program prime contractor, operating on behalf of the French CNES and Italian ASI space agencies, as well as the French DGA and Italian Segredifesa defense ministry organizations. After its deployment by Ariane 5, the spacecraft will provide data transmission services for the French and Italian defense ministries, as well as these countries' security organizations.

Based on the Spacebus 4000 platform, Athena-Fidus carries EHF and Ka-band transponders for its mission and deploys the latest civil telecom standards – DVB-RCS and DVB-S2 – to ensure optimum transmission capacity and service availability. It has a launch mass above 3,000 kg. and offers a design life exceeding 15 years.

The ABS-2 co-passenger was built by Space Systems/Loral (SSL) for global satellite operator ABS. It is one of the most powerful commercial spacecraft for the Eastern Hemisphere, designed to provide multiple services that include direct-to-home and cable television distribution, VSAT, data networks and telecommunications, as well as the supply of substantial new capacity from the operator’s prime orbital location at 75 deg. East.
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Both Payloads For Arianespace's Next Ariane 5 Flight Are Mated To The Launcher

January 30, 2014 - Ariane Flight VA217

The heavy-lift Ariane 5 for Arianespace’s year-opening February 6 flight from French Guiana is now complete following integration of its full payload “stack,” consisting of the ABS-2 and Athena-Fidus advanced relay platforms.


Encapsulated in its ogive-shaped protective fairing, ABS-2 was lowered into place yesterday over Athena-Fidus – which had been installed atop Ariane 5’s cryogenic core stage during activity earlier in the week.

These integration steps were performed inside the Spaceport’s Final Assembly Building for Ariane 5, and enable a new series of preparation milestones to begin. They include the launch readiness review on February 4, followed by Ariane 5’s rollout to the ELA-3 launch zone the subsequent day.

Liftoff is scheduled during a 2-hr., 5-min. launch window opening February 6 at 5:30 p.m. local time in French Guiana, with the two spacecraft to be deployed on a flight lasting approximately 32 minutes.

Ariane 5 will deliver a payload lift performance of more than 10,200 kg. during the mission, which includes a combined total of over 9,400 kg. for ABS-2 and Athena-Fidus, plus the launch vehicle’s dual-passenger dispenser system and satellite integration hardware.

ABS-2 will ride as the mission’s upper passenger, to be deployed first in its flight sequence. Produced by Space Systems/Loral (SSL) for global satellite operator ABS, it is designed to provide multiple services that include direct-to-home and cable television distribution, VSAT, data networks and telecommunications, as well as the supply of substantial new capacity from the operator’s prime orbital location at 75 deg. East.

Athena-Fidus will be released second from Ariane 5’s lower payload position. The satellite was built by Thales Alenia Space as program prime contractor, operating on behalf of the French CNES and Italian ASI space agencies, as well as the French DGA and Italian Segredifesa defense ministry organizations. After deployment by Ariane 5, it will provide data transmission services for the French and Italian defense ministries, as well as these countries' security organizations.
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Re: ABS 2 (75.0E)

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The Go-Ahead Is Given For Arianespace's February 6 Flight With Ariane 5

February 4, 2014 - Ariane Flight VA217

The “green light” has been given for this week’s heavy-lift Ariane 5 mission from the Spaceport, which is to orbit a dual-passenger payload consisting of two advanced relay platforms: ABS-2 and Athena-Fidus.

Approval for this flight was issued following today’s launch readiness review, which is held prior to every Arianespace mission – confirming the “go” status of the launcher, its payload, the Spaceport’s infrastructure and the system of downrange tracking stations.

With today’s review, the Ariane 5 is now cleared for rollout tomorrow from the Spaceport’s Final Assembly Building to the ELA-3 launch zone – where it will be readied for liftoff on February 6 during a 2-hr., 5-min. launch window opening at 5:30 p.m. local time in French Guiana.

The payload lift performance for Arianespace’s latest Ariane 5 flight is approximately 10,210 kg., which includes a combined total of some 9,410 kg. for ABS-2 and Athena-Fidus, along with the launcher’s SYLDA dual-passenger dispenser system and satellite integration hardware.

Produced by SSL (Space Systems/Loral) for global satellite operator ABS, the ABS-2 spacecraft will provide multiple services that include direct-to-home and cable television distribution, VSAT, data networks and telecommunications, as well as the supply of substantial new capacity from the operator’s prime orbital location at 75 deg. East.

Thales Alenia Space built Athena-Fidus on behalf of the French CNES and Italian ASI space agencies, as well as the French DGA and Italian Segredifesa defense ministry organizations. After its deployment by Ariane 5, the satellite will provide data transmission services for the French and Italian defense ministries, as well as these countries' security organizations.
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Re: ABS 2 (75.0E)

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Ariane 5 Is Moved To The Launch Zone For This Week’s Heavy-Lift Arianespace Mission

February 5, 2014 - Ariane Flight VA217

Arianespace has delivered another Ariane 5 to the launch zone at Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana, positioning this workhorse heavy-lift vehicle for liftoff tomorrow with a dual-satellite payload of ABS-2 and Athena-Fidus.

Riding atop its mobile launch table under cloudy skies and light rain, Ariane 5 was transferred to the ELA-3 launch zone from the Spaceport’s Final Assembly Building – where payload integration was performed last week. With the rollout now completed, the final countdown will begin for a February 6 liftoff at the start of a 2-hr., 5-min. launch window opening at 5:30 p.m. local time in French Guiana.

For this 72nd flight of an Ariane 5 to date, the payload lift performance is approximately 10,210 kg. – which includes a combined total of some 9,410 kg. for ABS-2 and Athena-Fidus, plus the launch vehicle’s dual-passenger dispenser system and satellite integration hardware.

ABS-2 – which was produced by SSL (Space Systems/Loral) for global satellite operator ABS – is riding in the upper position of Ariane 5’s payload “stack,” to be released first in the flight sequence at 27 minutes following liftoff. It has a total mass of approximately 6,330 kg., and will provide optimized telecommunications, direct-to-home (DTH) broadcasting, multimedia, and data transmission services for Africa, Asia Pacific, Europe, the Middle East, Russia and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS).

The Athena-Fidus advanced relay platform has a liftoff mass of over 3,000 kg., and it will be deployed from Ariane 5’s lower passenger position 32 minutes into the flight – completing the mission. Thales Alenia Space built the spacecraft on behalf of the French CNES and Italian ASI space agencies, as well as the French DGA and Italian Segredifesa defense ministry organizations. Athena-Fidus is designed to deliver telecommunications services to both armed forces and homeland security units in France and Italy.
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