SPACEWAY 3 is ready for launch on Ariane 5

(Arianespace) – Preparations for Arianespace’s upcoming heavy-lift Ariane 5 flight moved into a new phase this week as final integration began for its dual-satellite payload.

This activity started with the installation of SPACEWAY 3 atop a SYLDA dispenser, which is part of the Ariane 5 deployment system that enables two passengers to be carried on a single launcher. SPACEWAY 3 was then encapsulated in Ariane 5’s payload fairing, completing the major portion of its integration process.

SPACEWAY 3 is the upper passenger for Ariane 5’s upcoming flight, and will be released first during the mission’s multi-step deployment sequence. With a liftoff mass of approximately 6,705 kg., SPACEWAY 3 is designed to provide a new range of satellite broadband services to companies, consumers and government users. The spacecraft will be operated by Hughes Network Systems, LLC, and was built by Boeing Satellite Systems, Inc.

After its deployment on the August 14 launch, SPACEWAY 3 will be maneuvered to its operational geostationary orbit slot at 95° West, providing coverage over North America, Alaska and Hawaii.

On the upcoming Ariane 5 mission, SPACEWAY 3 will be orbited along with the BSAT-3a satellite, which was built by Lockheed Martin Commercial Space Systems for Japan’s Broadcasting Satellite System Corporation (B-SAT).

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