Eutelsat W3B launch scheduled

[anacondama]

Arianespace has announced details of the fourth Ariane 5 flight of 2010, with its launcher having completed the initial build-up at the Spaceport. This vehicle will carry Eutelsat’s W3B telecommunications satellite and the
BSAT-3b relay platform for B-SAT Corporation, and is scheduled for launch on September 15.

This latest heavy-lift vehicle was delivered to French Guiana aboard the MN Colibri, which is one of two roll-on/roll-off ships that transport components from Europe to the launch site in South America. The launcher hardware was transferred by road from the port of Pariacabo to the Spaceport.

Arianespace is planning a total of six Ariane 5 flights during 2010, with three of these already performed and a fourth mission in advanced preparation for liftoff on September 15.

[zoran89]

Re: Eutelsat W3B launch scheduled

New news is that W3B have tehnical dificult so launch will not be at 15.09.2010.

[zoran89]

Re: Eutelsat W3B launch scheduled

All of you can watch launch of w3b live here

http://www.videocorner.tv/index.htm

[zoran89]

Re: Eutelsat W3B launch scheduled

W3B launch was seccesfull

[stewie]

Re: Eutelsat W3B launch scheduled

I've watched it live and I enojyed the whole programme.
If all is well W3B will be available in December.

P.S.: According the press release from Eutelsat the things for W3B went wrong:

EUTELSAT STATEMENT ON LOSS OF W3B SATELLITE


Paris, 29 October 2010

Eutelsat Communications (Euronext Paris: ETL) announces the loss of the W3B satellite following an anomaly which was detected on the satellite’s propulsion subsystem after its launch by an Ariane 5 rocket.

[bledi07]

Re: Eutelsat W3B launch scheduled

This means we are going to suffer weak signals again in W2 16E satellite....

[stewie]

Re: Eutelsat W3B launch scheduled

Yeah.. till W3C is launched in the close future.

[zoran89]

Re: Eutelsat W3B launch scheduled

Here is comlete news.


Eutelsat W3B considered lost
By Robert Briel
Published: October 29, 2010


Eutelsat W3B, launched in the early hours of Friday morning, is considered lost following an otherwise smooth start to the Ariane 5 mission it shared with the BSAT-3b satellite. According to Eutelsat, an anomaly occurred with the satellite’s propulsion subsystem.

In a statement, Michel de Rosen, Eutelsat CEO, said: “The loss of the W3B is a disappointment for Eutelsat and our customers. We share it with our partners, particularly Thales Alenia Space and the insurance community. We will now focus our attention on the delivery of the W3C satellite for entry into service at 16 degrees East by mid-next year and the implementation of a new satellite programme to compensate for this loss.”

The company said it is insured against the financial implications of the loss of satellite. Details will follow after a press briefing in Kourou, which will take place later this morning.

Lifting off on time at 18.51 local time from the Spaceport’s ELA-3 launch zone in French Guiana, the Ariane 5 deployed the two craft during a flight lasting just under 38 minutes.

“With this evening’s success, we already have launched eight large telecommunications satellites since the beginning of 2010, which is more than all of our competitors combined,” said Jean-Yves Le Gall, Arianespace chairman & CEO.

The 5,370-kg W3B satellite for Eutelsat was deployed on the Ariane 5 flight 28 minutes into the mission.

Speaking in Kourou after the launch, Michel de Rosen, Eutelsat CEO, commented: “Tonight’s W3B launch opens a new chapter at our 16 degrees East location, which is already the chosen neighbourhood for over 400 television channels, making it one of our four fastest-growing video positions. The increased capacity and expanded coverage of our new satellite will enable Eutelsat to further raise quality of service and expand the offer provided from a position reaching into our core markets of Europe, Africa and the Middle East.”

Scheduled to enter service in December this year, W3B will replace Eutelsat’s Eurobird 16, W2M and SESAT 1 satellites. Following the transfer to W3B of all existing traffic, each of the three satellites will be redeployed to an alternative position.

The W3B boosts up to 56 transponders, including three in the Ka-band. The satellite has a high-power footprint optimised for direct-to-home broadcasting in Central Europe. According to recent audience research conducted for Eutelsat there is already an installed base of 11.2 million satellite and cable homes in Central Europe receiving channels from 16 degrees East, making it one of the satellite market’s fastest-growing positions.

High-power coverage over Indian Ocean islands will also support expansion of pay-TV, which reaches into almost 400,000 homes, and accelerate digital switchover in Mauritius and Reunion Island.

To address the market for telecoms and data services, W3B will initiate a new mission for sub-Saharan Africa, through coverage stretching from Senegal to South Africa and enabling connectivity with Europe. This new capacity will respond to high-growth applications including GSM backhaul and Internet access for enterprises, public agencies and consumers.

The next Ariane 5 mission is set for November 25 with another heavy-lift launch, carrying the Intelsat 17 and HYLAS 1 satellites. It will be followed by one additional mission of this workhorse vehicle before the end of 2010.