Ariane 5’s First 2020 Launch is a Success
17.01.2020
For its first launch of the year, Ariane 5 placed two telecommunications satellites in orbit: EUTELSAT KONNECT for Eutelsat and GSAT-30 for the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) This was the 251st flight of an Ariane launcher, which celebrated its 40th anniversary on December 24, 2019 Arianespace, operator of the Ariane rocket, has scheduled 10 launches by 2022, including four more in 2020.
For its first launch of the year from the European spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana, Ariane 5 placed two satellites in geostationary transfer orbit (GTO): the EUTELSAT KONNECT satellite for Eutelsat and the GSAT-30 satellite for the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).
The total performance required of the launcher was 7,888 kg, including 6,976 kg for the two satellites injected into an orbit inclined 6° to the equator.
As industrial prime contractor for the development, production and operation of Ariane 5 and Ariane 6 launchers, ArianeGroup coordinates an industrial network bringing together more than 600 companies in 13 European countries, including 350 Small and Medium Enterprises. ArianeGroup manages all industrial activities relating to Ariane 5, from studies and performance improvements to its production, the supply of data or software specific to each mission. This chain includes equipment and structures, engine manufacturing, integration of the different stages, then integration of the launcher in French Guiana. ArianeGroup delivers a flight-ready launcher on the launch pad to its subsidiary Arianespace, which operates the flight from take-off on behalf of its customers.