Next Ariane 5 launch campaign begins
Europe's Spaceport in French Guiana is busy with activity as preparations move ahead for Ariane 5's next mission. On 9 July, Flight 163 is scheduled to place into orbit the Anik F2 communications satellite for Canada's Telesat.
The launch campaign began on 27 May with the removal of Ariane 5’s core cryogenic stage from the protective shipping container in which it had made the journey from Europe. The next step was to place the main cryogenic stage on its mobile launch table in the Launcher Integration Building. This will enable the launcher to be easily moved between the various buildings in the Ariane 5 launch complex, as it is prepared for launch and mated with its payload.
The Anik F2 will be the fifth Canadian spacecraft to be launched by an Ariane launcher.
