The Ariane 5 launch with THOR 7 and SICRAL 2 is set for April 24

April 17, 2015

-

Ariane Flight VA222

Arianespace’s next Ariane 5 flight from the Spaceport is now scheduled for April 24. Under the new planning, liftoff will occur at 4:38 p.m. local time in French Guiana – initiating this dual-passenger mission that is to orbit a pair of telecommunications satellites: THOR 7 and SICRAL 2.

 

The payload lift performance for this first Ariane 5 mission of 2015 – which is designated VA222 in Arianespace’s numbering system – is approximately 9,850 kg.

THOR 7 was built by SSL (Space Systems/Loral) for operation by Telenor Satellite Broadcasting, and it will serve the maritime sector – offering high-powered coverage over the North Sea, the Norwegian Sea, the Red Sea, the Baltic Sea and the Mediterranean. Also incorporated in this relay platform is a Ku-band payload for broadcast and television services in Central and Eastern Europe.

SICRAL 2 is a military telecommunications satellite developed in the framework of a turnkey contract that the Italian Defense Ministry and the French DGA armament agency (Direction Générale de l’Armement) have with Thales Alenia Space Italy, while Telespazio is responsible for the launch service. After its deployment by Ariane 5, SICRAL 2 will provide strategic and tactical telecommunications links for French and Italian military forces, as well as reserve capacity for other NATO nations.

Source : Arianespace