ariane 5

Arianespace’s Ariane 5 dual-passenger heavy-lift launch vehicle is being readied for its next mission on 15 April, to launch Telenor Satellite Broadcasting’s (TSB) THOR 7 satellite and SICRAL 2 satellite.

Designated Flight VA222, the mission will be the third flight for Arianespace’s launcher in 2015.

THOR 7 will be the upper satellite on the launcher, and has been encapsulated in the ogive-shaped payload fairing at the spaceport’s final assembly building.

The completed unit will be placed atop the Sicral 2 payload after the satellite is installed on Ariane 5’s central core.

Arianespace said: "These payload integration activities will complete the launcher build-up for Arianespace’s scheduled April 15 lift-off."

"These payload integration activities will complete the launcher build-up for Arianespace’s scheduled April 15 lift-off."

Built by Space Systems/Loral, the THOR 7 will operate from 1° W longitude to offer high-powered coverage over the North Sea, the Norwegian Sea, the Red Sea, the Baltic Sea and the Mediterranean for maritime sector.

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Company Profile – free sample

Thank you!

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

By GlobalData
Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.

The relay platform also incorporates a Ku-band payload for broadcast and television services in central and eastern Europe.

Designed to provide tactical telecommunications links for French and Italian military forces, the The Sicral 2 military telecommunications satellite has reserve capacity for other Nato nations.

Thales Alenia Space Italy developed Sicral 2 as part of a contract from the Italian Defense Ministry and the French DGA armament agency (Direction Générale de l’Armement).

The planned launch comes after 27 March lift-off of Soyuz rocket carrying Galileo full operational capability navigation satellites.

Image: Ariane 5’s payload fairing is lowered over THOR 7. Photo: courtesy of Arianespace.