BY SPACEFLIGHT NOW

Follow the preparations and launch of the Arianespace Ariane 4 rocket carrying the Intelsat 906 communications satellite. Reload this page for the very latest on the mission.

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2002

When an Ariane 4 rocket completed its mission of deploying the Intelsat 906 communications satellite into space early today it meant the venerable commercial booster is only two flights away from retirement and Intelsat has just one additional craft to launch in this next-generation series.

The three-stage rocket with four extra liquid-fueled motors strapped to its side blasted off right on schedule at 0644 GMT (2:44 a.m. EDT).

It was the second time in eight days Arianespace launched a European rocket from the South American base in Kourou, French Guiana, and 10th of 2002.

Twenty-one minutes later near the African coast, Intelsat 906 was released to complete the 72nd consecutive success for the Ariane 4 dating back to 1995. Overall, the Ariane 4 has flown 114 times with three failures. Two more Ariane 4 launches are scheduled through early next year before the vehicle is phased out in favor of Ariane 5.

Arianespace said the payload was delivered into an acceptable geosynchronous transfer orbit with a perigee of 199.7 km for a target of 199.8 km, an apogee of 35,929 km compared to the predicted 35,943 km and inclination of 6.995 degrees vs. the planned 7.00 degrees to the equator.

The Space Systems/Loral-built satellite will conduct a series of engine firings to reach a circular geostationary orbit about 36,000 km above the equator. It will be parked at 64.15 degrees East longitude over the Indian Ocean to enter service in October to provide Internet, broadcasting, telephony and networking services to Europe, Asia, Africa and Australia.

The C-band/Ku-band satellite has the ability to uplink and downlink data streams from different beams and operating frequency bands. Customers can uplink in Ku-band in Europe where interference and coordination are reduced, officials said.

Intelsat 906 will give further capacity and better coverage to including VSNL India, British Telecom, Cable & Wireless, KDDI, Reach and TeleDenmark, which should benefit Africa and Central and Southeast Asia, Intelsat said.

"We are pleased to add the Intelsat 906 to our fleet, a new powerful spacecraft that will allow our customers to use less expensive ground equipment and to obtain services with greater throughput. The 9-series satellites provide Intelsat with technology-enhanced capacity to meet customer demand and allow us to roll out new services," said Intelsat, Ltd. CEO Conny Kullman.

As its name suggests, Intelsat 906 is the sixth in a series of new-generation communications satellites being launched to modernize and improve Intelsat's orbiting fleet of spacecraft. One more Intelsat 9-series satellite is left to launch -- 907 early next year.

The seven more powerful and higher capacity craft are designed to replace older, less capable satellites in the consortium's fleet.

Intelsat 906 will replace Intelsat 804, which is scheduled to be moved to a new location at 176 degrees East to provide additional support in the Pacific.

Today's launch was the 22nd time an Intelsat spacecraft has flown aboard an Ariane rocket over the past 20 years. Arianespace says Intelsat represents about 10 percent of its business.

"It is a distinct pleasure to mark this achievement with an historic Ariane partner," Arianespace CEO Jean-Yves Le Gall said in celebrating the successful launch. "We wish Intelsat a long, productive use of Intelsat 906 and many more outstanding achievements in the years to come."

The next Arianespace launch is expected in about two months when an Ariane 5 rocket lifts off with its new, more powerful cryogenic upper stage. A specific launch date has not been announced.

The mission will carry the Eutelsat Hot Bird 7 direct-to-home TV broadcasting spacecraft and the French space agency's Stentor communications technology demonstration satellite. Preparations for the launch have begun in Kourou.

0708 GMT (3:08 a.m. EDT)

Arianespace confirms this morning's launch has successfully placed Intelsat 906 into orbit, marking the 72nd straight success for the Ariane 4 rocket.

0705 GMT (3:05 a.m. EDT)

Plus+21 minutes, 3 seconds. SPACECRAFT SEPARATION! The Intelsat 906 telecommunications satellite has been released into space from the Ariane 4 rocket's third stage, completing this morning's launch of Arianespace Flight 154.

0704 GMT (3:04 a.m. EDT)

Plus+20 minutes. About a minute to payload deployment. Altitude is 330 km, velocity 9.6 km/sec.

0703 GMT (3:03 a.m. EDT)

Plus+19 minutes, 30 seconds. Altitude is 291 km, velocity 9.6 km/sec.

0703 GMT (3:03 a.m. EDT)

Plus+19 minutes. Confirmation of third stage shut down, completing the powered phase of flight. Orbit has been achieved. The stage will now provide the necessary pointing for deployment of the Intelsat 906 spacecraft over the next minute.

0702 GMT (3:02 a.m. EDT)

Plus+18 minutes. The Libreville tracking station in Africa has acquired the rocket's signal. Altitude is 218 km, velocity 9.3 km/sec.

0701 GMT (3:01 a.m. EDT)

Plus+17 minutes, 10 seconds. Altitude is 198 km, velocity 8.9 km/sec.

0700 GMT (3:00 a.m. EDT)

Plus+16 minutes, 30 seconds. The rocket has bottomed out in its sling-shot to orbit and is now climbing higher. Vehicle parameters and trajectory reported normal. The altitude is 180 km, velocity 8.6 km/sec.

0700 GMT (3:00 a.m. EDT)

Plus+16 minutes. About three minutes left in the third stage burn.

0659 GMT (2:59 a.m. EDT)

Plus+15 minutes. The telemetry from the rocket still showing systems are working properly as the third stage continues its firing.

0656 GMT (2:56 a.m. EDT)

Plus+12 minutes, 35 seconds. The Ascension Island tracking station in the Atlantic Ocean has acquired the rocket's signal as it heads eastward away from South America. Altitude is 212 km, velocity 7.1 km/sec.

0655 GMT (2:55 a.m. EDT)

Plus+11 minutes, 30 seconds. Altitude is 223 km, velocity 6.77 km/sec.

0654 GMT (2:54 a.m. EDT)

Plus+10 minutes, 30 seconds. This is now the period in flight where the Ariane rocket gives up a bit of altitude in order to gain velocity like a sling-shot. Altitude is 230.7 km, velocity 6.4 km/sec.

0653 GMT (2:53 a.m. EDT)

Plus+9 minutes, 45 seconds. Altitude 232 km, velocity 6.2 km/sec.

0652 GMT (2:52 a.m. EDT)

Plus+8 minutes. Third stage burn continues. Altitude 222 km, velocity 5.8 km/sec.

0651 GMT (2:51 a.m. EDT)

Plus+7 minutes, 30 seconds. Vehicle remains on the proper course with system performance reported normal.

0651 GMT (2:51 a.m. EDT)

Plus+7 minutes. The Natal tracking station in Brazil has picked up the rocket's signal as it travels downrange. Altitude is 204 km, velocity 5.6 km/sec.

0649 GMT (2:49 a.m. EDT)

Plus+5 minutes, 52 seconds. Burnout of the second stage has occurred and the spent stage has jettisoned. The cryogenic upper stage has now ignited for its long-duration burn to deliver the Intelsat 906 satellite payload into orbit.

0649 GMT (2:49 a.m. EDT)

Plus+5 minutes, 30 seconds. Second stage continues to burn. Altitude is 158 km, velocity 5.2 km/sec.

0649 GMT (2:49 a.m. EDT)

Plus+5 minutes. Altitude is 141 km, velocity 4.4 km/sec.

0648 GMT (2:48 a.m. EDT)

Plus+4 minutes, 24 seconds. The payload fairing has been jettisoned since it is no longer needed to shield the Intelsat 906 spacecraft.

0648 GMT (2:48 a.m. EDT)

Plus+4 minutes. Second stage is burning, all parameters reported normal. Altitude is 105 km, velocity 3.3 km/sec.

0647 GMT (2:47 a.m. EDT)

Plus+3 minutes, 38 seconds. The four first stage main engines have shut down and the spent stage was jettisoned. And the second stage has now ignited.

0647 GMT (2:47 a.m. EDT)

Plus+3 minutes. Altitude is 62.9 km, velocity 2.2 km/sec.

0646 GMT (2:46 a.m. EDT)

Plus+2 minutes, 33 seconds. The four liquid-propellant strap-on boosters have shut down and separated from the Ariane 4's first stage. The spent casings fall into the Atlantic Ocean. The first stage main engines are still burning to continue the climb to orbit.

0646 GMT (2:46 a.m. EDT)

Plus+2 mintues. No problems reported.

0645 GMT (2:45 a.m. EDT)

Plus+60 seconds. Vehicle is soaring in a clear predawn sky after an on-time liftoff this morning.

0644 GMT (2:44 a.m. EDT)

Plus+30 seconds. Ariane has pitched to the proper eastward trajectory away from the launch pad. The rocket is riding the thrust of eight engines -- four main engines and four liquid-fueled strap-on boosters.

0644 GMT (2:44 a.m. EDT)

LIFTOFF! Liftoff of the Intelsat 906 communications satellite and 10th Ariane launch of the year. And the tower is clear!

0643 GMT (2:43 a.m. EDT)

Minus-1 minute. The Ariane 44L rocket is being switched from ground-supplied power to onboard batteries for launch.

In the final seconds of the countdown, activities will include releasing the inertial platform at minus 9 seconds, and the release command to the retraction system for the two cryogenic arms will be given at Minus-5 seconds.

0642 GMT (2:42 a.m. EDT)

Minus-2 minutes and counting. The third stage liquid oxygen tank has been pressurized for the launch.

0640 GMT (2:40 a.m. EDT)

Minus-4 minutes and counting. The launch team is monitoring the final topping off of liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen supplies aboard the rocket's third stage.

In the next half-minute, the launch time will be loaded aboard the Ariane rocket's guidance system. Also, the Intelsat 906 spacecraft will be confirmed on internal power and declared ready for launch.

0638 GMT (2:38 a.m. EDT)

Minus-6 minutes and counting. Computers are now taking control of this final portion of the countdown as the Synchronized Launch Sequence has started. Liftoff is set for 0644 GMT (2:44 a.m. EDT).

During the next six minutes, the Ariane 44L rocket, satellite payload and ground systems will be configured for launch. There are two master computers running the countdown. One is responsible for fluids and propellants and the other for final preparation of the electrical systems such as initiating the flight program, activation of the engine steering systems and power transfer from ground supplies to onboard batteries. The computers will control until minus 5 seconds when a majority logic sequencer takes over for first stage engine and liquid strap-on booster start at zero seconds. Engine performance checks are done in parallel by the two computers starting at plus 2.8 seconds. Finally, the command will be issued to open the launch table clamps for liftoff between ignition +plus 4.4 and 4.6 seconds.

0637 GMT (2:37 a.m. EDT)

Minus-7 minutes. A network of tracking stations are standing ready to relay data from the Ariane 4 rocket to engineers in Kourou. The early portion of flight will be monitored through the Kourou and Cayenne stations in French Guiana. About 6 minutes, 30 seconds into flight the Natal station in Brazil will pick up the rocket's signal as the third stage burn gets underway. At T+plus 12 minutes, 30 seconds the site on Ascension Island in the Atlantic Ocean will begin coverage. Libreville in Gabon will provide services beginning at T+plus 17 minutes, 30 seconds for spacecraft separation and the conclusion of Arianespace Flight 154.

0634 GMT (2:34 a.m. EDT)

Minus-10 minutes and counting. The three-stage rocket is set to deliver the Intelsat 906 satellite into a geosynchronous transfer orbit of approximately 200 km on the low end and 35,956 km on the high end, with an inclination of 7 degrees. Ariane 4 is going for its 72nd consecutive successful launch.

0629 GMT (2:29 a.m. EDT)

Minus-15 minutes. The status panel in the Jupiter control center green across the board, indicating all systems are "go" at this time as engineers monitor systems on the Ariane 4 rocket, the spacecraft and ground support equipment.

0624 GMT (2:24 a.m. EDT)

Minus-20 minutes. The countdown is entering the final minutes for this morning's launch of the Arianespace Ariane 44L rocket with the Intelsat 906 communications satellite. The three-stage rocket stands fueled and ready for liftoff at 0644 GMT from the ELA-2 pad at the Guiana Space Center in Kourou, French Guiana. The site is located on the northeastern coast of South America.

0402 GMT (12:02 a.m. EDT)

The Ariane 4 rocket's third stage is being loaded with super-cold cryogenic liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen as the countdown continues for this morning's launch. The first two stages were fueled with storable rocket propellants earlier this week. Liftoff is scheduled to occur at 0644 GMT (2:44 a.m. EDT).

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2002

For the second time in just over a week, Arianespace is gearing up for another commercial rocket launch from the South American spaceport in French Guiana.

The liftoff of the Ariane 4 rocket from the ELA-2 launch pad in Kourou is expected at 0644 GMT (2:44 a.m. EDT) Friday morning, the opening of an hour-long launch window.

Flight 154 will use an Ariane 44L launcher, the most powerful version of the venerable Ariane 4 fitted with four liquid-fueled strap-on boosters. It marks the 155th Ariane launch over the history of the program, the 114th Ariane 4 flight, and the 38th mission of the Ariane 44L configuration. Friday morning's launch will be the 10th for Arianespace in 2002. An Ariane 5 rocket was launched last Wednesday.

Inside the Ariane 4's nose cone is the Intelsat 906 satellite payload, ready to begin at least a 13-year mission serving the communications needs of a wide variety of users. After being dropped off in a highly elliptical geostationary transfer orbit, the spacecraft will conduct a series of apogee burns to gradually circularize its orbit to an altitude of about 22,300 miles. Once there, a series of instrumentation checkouts will get underway before the craft is declared ready for service in a few months' time.

Intelsat 906's operational orbital slot is at 64.15 degrees East longitude along the equator, or 22,300 miles above the Indian Ocean. From that vantage point, the satellite can provide Internet, broadcasting, telephony, and networking services to Intelsat customers in Europe, Asia, Africa, and Australia. Intelsat 906 uses C-band and Ku-band transponders in its communications payload.

The satellite was built by Space Systems/Loral and is based on that company's FS1300 Extended spacecraft bus platform. When deployed in space, the craft's power-producing solar panels will stretch over 100 feet and will provide up to 10 kilowatts of power at the beginning of the satellite's lifetime. At launch Friday, Intelsat 906 will weigh 10,390 pounds.

Preparations for launch will begin at 1814 GMT (2:14 p.m. EDT) today with the beginning of the final launch countdown. The protective mobile service gantry at the ELA-2 launch zone will begin to roll back into the liftoff position at 0109 GMT (9:09 p.m. EDT).

At 0309 GMT (11:09 p.m. EDT), liquid hydrogen fuel and liquid oxygen will begin flowing into the third stage propellant tanks. The Ariane 4's telemetry, telecommand, and radar transponder systems will be activated at 0539 GMT (1:39 a.m. EDT).

Six minutes prior to liftoff, computers will take control of the countdown at the start of the synchronized launch sequence. Following this critical milestone are a series of fast-paced events culminating in the ignition of the Viking engines on the first stage and strap-on boosters. Liftoff occurs just over four seconds later.

After launch, Flight 154 will take a normal Ariane 44L ascent profile with a two-minute, 30-second burn of the four liquid boosters before they are jettisoned. First stage separation occurs about a minute later. The second stage then comes to life to burn for just over two minutes, during which time the payload fairing shielding the satellite is released. Once the second stage's job is completed, the third stage ignites to begin a marathon 13-minute burn to finish the task of placing the payload into its intended orbit. Intelsat 906 is to be deployed at a point almost 21 minutes into flight.

Watch this page for live play-by-play updates during the final countdown and launch.