21:13 GMT (5:13 pm EDT): Successful separation of AMC-21. Another successful Ariane launch came to its end.
21:12 GMT (5:12 pm EDT): Separation of the Sylda 5 payload structure in order to free the underlying AMC-21 satellite.
21:09 GMT (5:09 pm EDT): The Superbird-7 satellite has been separated.
21:08 GMT (5:08 pm EDT): Shut-down of the upper stage. The next step is separation of the satellites and the payload structure Sylda 5.
20:53 GMT (4:53 pm EDT): Main engine cutoff and separation of the first stage. The second cryogenic stage ignited. The ESC-A upper stage with its HM-7B engine will now burn for almost 15 minutes.
20:47 GMT (4:47 pm EDT): The payload fairing is jettisoned. As the rocket reached over 100 kilometers altitude and left the dense atmosphere, this cover is no longer needed.
20:46 GMT (4:46 pm EDT): The two solid rocket boosters have been jettisoned after 140 seconds. The main stage continues to push the rocket skywards.
20:44 GMT (4:44 pm EDT): Liftoff of the Ariane 5 ECA rocket carrying AMC-21 and Superbird-7.
20:43 GMT (4:43 pm EDT): T-1. Switched to onboard power. Everything is ready for the launch of the Ariane 5 rocket. The Vulcain main engine will be ignited 7 seconds before the boosters to ensure proper operation.
20:40 GMT (4:40 pm EDT): T-4. The tanks are pressurised for flight.
20:37 GMT (4:37 pm EDT): T-7. The so-called synchronized sequence is started. This sequence runs completely automated. If a problem occurs the countdown has to be reset to the start of the automated sequence.
20:29 GMT (4:29 pm EDT): 15 minutes remaining until the launch. Everything is currently on go.
19:44 GMT (3:44 pm EDT): The clock says one hour until launch. The weather looks fine for launch.
15:54 GMT (12:54 pm EDT): The fueling for the Ariane 5 main stage has begun. The stage is powered by the Vulcain engine feeded by liquid oxygen (LOX) and liquid hydrogen (LH2). Today’s launch will be the 41st for Ariane 5 and the 185th for the Ariane family. We are under 5 hours from the launch now.
August 14, 2008
August 13, 2008: The Ariane 5 ECA rocket with its AMC-21 and Superbird-7 payload is ready for the launch tomorrow. It was rolled out to the launch pad this afternoon.
The payload consists of two satellites weighing a total of 7,276 kilograms:
AMC-21 will deliver broadcast television and broadband connectivity or services in the United States, the Gulf of Mexico, the Caribbean and Central America. It is based on the Star-2 platform of Orbital Sciences and built by Thales Alenia Space and has 24 Ku-band transponders. It weighs about 2,473 kilograms.
Superbird-7, built on the DS 2000 platform by Mitsubishi Electric Corporation, will provide mobile terminal, cable TV and direct TV broadcast services in Japan and communications services for the entire Asia-Pacific region. The satellite carries a total of 28 Ku-band transponders and weighs about 4,803 kilograms.
The Ariane 5 will fly in its ECA version with the cryogenic upper stage ESC-A powered by the HM-7B engine. It uses the Sylda dual payload structure.
The launch window opens at 20:44 GMT (4:44 pm EDT) for 51 minutes on August 14.
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