BY SPACEFLIGHT NOW

Follow the preparations and launch of the Arianespace Ariane 5 rocket carrying two communications satellite and an experimental spacecraft bound for lunar orbit. Reload this page for the very latest on the mission.

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2003

Relying upon an experimental ion engine and miniaturized instruments, Europe's first robotic lunar orbiter has launched to study the Moon's history while serving as a technology testbed for future missions. The SMART 1 spacecraft shared the ride into space Saturday with two communications satellites aboard a European Ariane 5 rocket. Read our full launch story.

0100 GMT (9:00 p.m. EDT Sat.)

The European Space Agency says that SMART 1 has deployed its solar arrays and is currently undergoing initial checkout of its systems. This checkout will continue for the next week.

According to ESA, the craft's innovative ion engine is scheduled to be fired for the first time on September 30.

At first, it will fire almost continuously -- stopping only when the spacecraft is in the Earth's shadow -- to accelerate the probe (at about 0.2 mm/s2) and raise the altitude of the lowest point of its orbit from 750 to 20,000 km. This maneuver will take about 80 days to complete and will place the spacecraft safely above the radiation belts that surround the Earth.

SMART 1 will then progressively raise its apogee to the orbit of the Moon. At 200,000 km from Earth, it will begin receiving significant tugs from the Moon as it passes by. It will then perform three gravity-assist maneuver while flying by the Moon in late December 2004, late January and February 2005. Eventually, SMART 1 will be "captured" and enter a near-polar elliptical lunar orbit in March 2005. SMART-1 will use its thruster to reduce the altitude and eccentricity of this orbit.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2003
2359 GMT (7:59 p.m. EDT)

Arianespace has declared today's launch a success.

Check back later tonight for a launch wrap-up story.

2356 GMT (7:56 p.m. EDT)

Plus+41 minutes, 30 seconds. SPACECRAFT SEPARATION! The European Space Agency's SMART 1 technology demonstration spacecraft bound to orbit the Moon has separated from the Ariane 5 rocket, completing today's launch.

We'll now stand by for confirmation of mission success from Arianespace.

2354 GMT (7:54 p.m. EDT)

Plus+39 minutes, 55 seconds. The payload adapter used to enclose the SMART 1 spacecraft beneath the two communications satellites has been jettisoned.

2353 GMT (7:53 p.m. EDT)

Plus+39 minutes. Ground controllers have received the first signals from Insat 3E spacecraft.

2348 GMT (7:48 p.m. EDT)

Plus+34 minutes, 10 seconds. SPACECRAFT SEPARATION! Eutelsat's e-Bird communications satellite has been deployed by the Ariane 5 rocket.

The upper stage will next eject the adapter above SMART 1 in preparation for deployment of that third and final payload of the launch just shy of 42 minutes after liftoff.

2347 GMT (7:47 p.m. EDT)

Plus+32 minutes, 40 seconds. The Sylda 5 dual payload adapter has been jettisoned. The Insat 3E craft sat atop this barrel-like structure during launch and enclosed e-Bird. Now that Sylda has separated, the upper stage will maneuver itself and prepare for deployment of e-Bird.

2344 GMT (7:44 p.m. EDT)

Plus+29 minutes, 30 seconds. Altitude 2,101 km, velocity is 8.26 km/sec.

2343 GMT (7:43 p.m. EDT)

Plus+28 minutes, 51 seconds. SPACECRAFT SEPARATION! The Indian Space Research Organization's Insat 3E communications satellite has been released into space from the Ariane 5 rocket.

The upper stage will now reorient for jettison of the Sylda dual payload structure. Once Sylda is separated, e-Bird can been deployed.

2342 GMT (7:42 p.m. EDT)

Plus+28 minutes. Altitude 1,812 km, velocity is 8.45 km/sec.

2341 GMT (7:41 p.m. EDT)

Plus+27 minutes. The upper stage has shut down to complete powered flight for the launch. The stage will provide proper pointing for deployment of the first satellite tonight -- Insat 3E.

2340 GMT (7:40 p.m. EDT)

Plus+26 minutes. The upper stage is nearing the completion of its firing. Altitude is 1,463 km, velocity is 8.58 km/sec.

2339 GMT (7:39 p.m. EDT)

Plus+24 minutes, 30 seconds. Altitude is 1,232 km, velocity is 8.49 km/sec.

2338 GMT (7:38 p.m. EDT)

Plus+23 minutes, 30 seconds. Altitude is 1,093 km, velocity is 8.44 km/sec.

2337 GMT (7:37 p.m. EDT)

Plus+22 minutes, 30 seconds. Altitude is 966 km, velocity is 8.38 km/sec.

2336 GMT (7:36 p.m. EDT)

Plus+22 minutes, 5 seconds. The Malindi, Kenya island tracking station in Africa has picked up the rocket's signal. Altitude is 914 km, velocity is 8.36 km/sec.

2335 GMT (7:35 p.m. EDT)

Plus+21 minutes. Altitude is 794 km, velocity is 8.31 km/sec.

2335 GMT (7:35 p.m. EDT)

Plus+20 minutes, 30 seconds. Altitude is 743 km, velocity is 8.28 km/sec.

2334 GMT (7:34 p.m. EDT)

Plus+19 minutes, 30 seconds. Altitude is 646 km, velocity is 8.23 km/sec.

2332 GMT (7:32 p.m. EDT)

Plus+18 minutes. Altitude is 521 km, velocity is 8.16 km/sec.

2331 GMT (7:31 p.m. EDT)

Plus+17 minutes. Altitude is 448 km, velocity is 8.10 km/sec.

2330 GMT (7:30 p.m. EDT)

Plus+16 minutes. Altitude is 384 km, velocity is 8.05 km/sec.

2329 GMT (7:29 p.m. EDT)

Plus+15 minutes. Altitude is 328 km, velocity is 8.00 km/sec.

2329 GMT (7:29 p.m. EDT)

Plus+14 minutes, 30 seconds. Altitude is 303 km, velocity is 7.96 km/sec.

2328 GMT (7:28 p.m. EDT)

Plus+14 minutes. The Ariane 5's upper stage continues to fire to achieve the desired orbit this evening. Altitude 280 km, velocity is 7.93 km/sec.

2327 GMT (7:27 p.m. EDT)

Plus+12 minutes, 40 seconds. The Ascension island tracking station in the Atlantic has picked up the rocket's signal. Altitude is 225 km, velocity is 7.85 km/sec.

2326 GMT (7:26 p.m. EDT)

Plus+12 minutes. Altitude is 202 km, velocity is 7.81 km/sec.

2326 GMT (7:26 p.m. EDT)

Plus+11 minutes, 30 seconds. Altitude is 186 km, velocity is 7.78 km/sec.

2325 GMT (7:25 p.m. EDT)

Plus+10 minutes, 30 seconds. Altitude is 158 km, velocity is 7.7 km/sec.

2324 GMT (7:24 p.m. EDT)

Plus+10 minutes, 12 seconds. The upper stage of Ariane 5G -- the storable propellant stage -- has ignited for its long-duration burn.

2324 GMT (7:24 p.m. EDT)

Plus+10 minutes, 3 seconds. The main cryogenic stage's Vulcain engine has cut off and the spent stage has separated. It will fall back into the atmosphere prior to completing an orbit of Earth.

2323 GMT (7:23 p.m. EDT)

Plus+9 minutes, 20 seconds. The rocket is beginning to gain altitude again. Altitude is 134 km, velocity is 6.8 km/sec.

2323 GMT (7:23 p.m. EDT)

Plus+9 minutes. Coming up on main stage shutdown in about one minute. Altitude is 132.8 km, velocity is 6.3 km/sec.

2323 GMT (7:23 p.m. EDT)

Plus+8 minutes, 35 seconds. The Natal tracking station in Brazil has picked up the rocket's signal.

2322 GMT (7:22 p.m. EDT)

Plus+8 minutes, 20 seconds. Altitude is 135.7 km, velocity is 5.5 km/sec.

2322 GMT (7:22 p.m. EDT)

Plus+7 minutes, 40 seconds. Vehicle systems are reported normal. Altitude is 141 km, velocity is 4.9 km/sec.

2321 GMT (7:21 p.m. EDT)

Plus+7 minutes. Altitude is 148 km, velocity is 4.32 km/sec.

2321 GMT (7:21 p.m. EDT)

Plus+6 minutes, 30 seconds. The rocket is no longer climbing in altitude in order to gain speed. This is a "sling-shot" maneuver. Altitude is 151.8 km, velocity is 3.9 km/sec.

2320 GMT (7:20 p.m. EDT)

Plus+6 minutes. Altitude is 153.7 km, velocity is 3.6 km/sec.

2320 GMT (7:20 p.m. EDT)

Plus+5 minutes, 30 seconds. Altitude is 153 km, velocity is 3.3 km/sec.

2319 GMT (7:19 p.m. EDT)

Plus+5 minutes. Altitude is 149 km, velocity is 3.02 km/sec.

2319 GMT (7:19 p.m. EDT)

Plus+4 minutes, 30 seconds. Altitude is 142 km, velocity is 2.78 km/sec.

2317 GMT (7:17 p.m. EDT)

Plus+3 minutes, 12 seconds. The protective payload fairing enclosing the satellites has been separated from the Ariane 5.

2317 GMT (7:17 p.m. EDT)

Plus+3 minutes. Altitude is 99.8 km, velocity is 2.2 km/sec.

2317 GMT (7:17 p.m. EDT)

Plus+2 minutes, 30 seconds. The solid rocket boosters have been jettisoned from the Ariane 5 rocket's core stage. The liquid-fueled Vulcain 1 main engine continues to fire to propel the vehicle and its satellite payload to space.

2316 GMT (7:16 p.m. EDT)

Plus+2 minutes. Altitude 48 km, velocity 1.9 km/sec.

2316 GMT (7:16 p.m. EDT)

Plus+1 minute, 30 seconds. About one minute left in the burn by the solid rocket boosters. The boosters are providing 90 percent of the liftoff thrust.

2315 GMT (7:15 p.m. EDT)

Plus+50 seconds. The vehicle is on the proper trajectory as it rides the power of the twin solid rocket boosters and main stage liquid-fueled engine.

2315 GMT (7:15 p.m. EDT)

Plus+30 seconds. Rocket has completed its pitch and roll maneuvers as it heads east from the South American coast for geosynchronous transfer orbit carrying Insat 3E, e-Bird and SMART 1.

2314 GMT (7:14 p.m. EDT)

LIFTOFF! The Arianespace Ariane 5 rocket goes for a trifecta with the launch of three satellite payloads as it clears the tower!

2313:59 GMT (7:13:59 p.m. EDT)

Minus-40 seconds. The vehicle is now switching to internal power.

2313:39 GMT (7:13:39 p.m. EDT)

Minus-1 minute. A fast-paced series of events leading to launch will begin at Minus-37 seconds when the automated ignition sequence is started. The water suppression system at the launch pad will start at Minus-30 seconds. At Minus-22 seconds, overall control will be given to the onboard computer. The Vulcain main engine will be readied for ignition with hydrogen chilldown starting at Minus-18 seconds. The residual hydrogen burn flares will fire beneath the Vulcain engine at Minus-6 seconds to burn away any free hydrogen gas. At Minus-3 seconds, onboard systems take over and the two inertial guidance systems go to flight mode. Vulcain main engine ignition occurs at Minus-0 seconds with checkout between Plus+4 and 7 seconds. If there are no problems found, the solid rocket boosters are ignited at Plus+7.0 seconds for liftoff at Plus+7.3 seconds.

2312:39 GMT (7:12:39 p.m. EDT)

Minus-2 minutes. The Vulcain 1 main engine supply valves are being opened. Also, the ground valves for engine chilldown are being closed.

2311:39 GMT (7:11:39 p.m. EDT)

Minus-3 minutes. The scheduled launch time has been loaded into the rocket's main computer system. The main stage tank pressures should now be at flight level.

2310:39 GMT (7:10:39 p.m. EDT)

Minus-4 minutes. Pressurization is now underway for the main cryogenic stage's liquid oxygen and hydrogen tanks. Also, final pyrotechnic arming is starting.

2308:39 GMT (7:08:39 p.m. EDT)

Minus-6 minutes and counting. Liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen supplies of the main cryogenic stage are being verified at flight level. Also, the pyrotechnic line safety barriers are being armed.

2308 GMT (7:08 p.m. EDT)

Minus-6 minutes, 30 seconds and counting. The Synchronized Sequence has started. Computers are now in control of this final segment of the launch countdown to prepare the rocket and ground systems for liftoff. There are two computers running the countdown -- one aboard the Ariane 5 and a redundant one at the ELA-3 launch complex.

2307 GMT (7:07 p.m. EDT)

Minus-7 minutes and counting! The countdown has resumed for today's launch of the Ariane 5 rocket. Ignition is set for 2314:39 GMT.

2305 GMT (7:05 p.m. EDT)

Arianespace says the countdown will resume in about two minutes. The topping sequence adjustment has progressed a bit quicker than the launch team initially reported.

2258 GMT (6:58 p.m. EDT)

Minus-7 minutes and holding. Arianespace computes that tonight's "tuning" of the Vulcain 1 engine and the fueling replenishment will last 13 minutes. Liftoff is now expected around 2315 GMT.

Given the 19-minute duration of the launch window, a recycle of the countdown is not possible. So if a problem causes another hold after the count resumes, that will result in a scrub for the day.

2255 GMT (6:55 p.m. EDT)

Minus-7 minutes and holding. Clocks have been stopped for a planned pause. The topping sequence for the main stage is being adjusted for Vulcain 1 engine, a new countdown step that has been used for the past couple of Ariane 5 launches. This step is performed prior to entering the countdown's Synchronized Sequence.

2252 GMT (6:52 p.m. EDT)

Minus-10 minutes and counting. The status panel in the Jupiter Control Center at Kourou remains green, indicating all remains in readiness for liftoff.

2247 GMT (6:47 p.m. EDT)

Minus-15 minutes and counting.

2245 GMT (6:45 p.m. EDT)

The countdown has been progressing throughout the day, the vehicle is fueled, the payloads are set, there are no reports of any issues with the ground support equipment and weather conditions are currently acceptable for flight.

2243 GMT (6:43 p.m. EDT)

The Ariane 5 rocket is ready to go tonight on its mission carrying three spacecraft into geosynchronous transfer orbit. Liftoff remains targeted for 2302 GMT (7:02 p.m. EDT) at the opening of a 19-minute window at the Guiana Space Center in Kourou, French Guiana on South America's northeastern coast.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2003

The Arianespace Ariane 516 rocket with Insat 3E, e-Bird and SMART 1 remains scheduled for launch at 2302 GMT (7:02 p.m. EDT). We will post updates on the final countdown and the flight beginning about 20 minutes before launch.

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2003

In one of the final major steps leading up to launch, the Ariane 5 rocket due to blast away from Earth Saturday night was moved from its final assembly building to the launch pad Friday.

The Ariane 5 booster with its three payloads is set to rocket off the ELA-3 launch pad in Kourou, French Guiana, at 2302 GMT (7:02 p.m. EDT) at the opening tick of a 19-minute launch window.

Work leading up to Flight 162 officially kicked off in mid-July with the arrival of the SMART 1 and Insat 3E spacecraft to begin their final pre-launch processing work.

Assembly of the Ariane 5 launcher began July 17 with the erection of the cryogenic first stage. Next came the twin solid rocket boosters which were rolled into position and attached on July 21 and 22. The storable propellant upper stage and vehicle equipment bay were placed atop the first stage on July 23.

Fueling of the SMART 1 lunar explorer began on July 28, followed on August 7 by the start of filling operations for Insat 3E. Fueling of the e-Bird satellite came on August 12, after it arrived at the South American spaceport August 1.

The Ariane 5 rocket was transferred from the launcher integration building to the ELA-3 final assembly building August 12, but preparations were soon suspended to remedy issues plaguing the Insat 3E satellite.

Major operations resumed September 17 with the integration of the SMART 1 spacecraft directly atop the Ariane 5 upper stage. Over the next two days, the e-Bird and Insat 3E payloads were attached to their respective adapters and support hardware, followed by their placement on the launcher on last Saturday and Monday, respectively.

Fueling of the upper stage occurred on Wednesday, and Flight 162 was given a green light to proceed into final launch preparations on Thursday following the launch readiness review.

Looking ahead to launch day activities, the final countdown will commence at 1132 GMT (7:32 a.m. EDT). A check of electrical systems is to occur at 1532 GMT (11:32 a.m. EDT). Loading of super-cold liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen propellant into the Ariane 5's first stage will get underway at 1812 GMT (2:12 p.m. EDT). At 1942 GMT (3:42 p.m. EDT), a conditioning chilldown of the first stage Vulcain main engine will begin. Checks of connections between the rocket and telemetry, tracking, and command systems will be conducted at 2152 GMT (5:52 p.m. EDT).

The synchronized launch sequence will begin about 7 minutes prior to liftoff if all systems are "go" for continuing the count. Following this critical milestone is a series of fast-paced events culminating with the ignition of the Vulcain main engine. The two solid rocket boosters will roar to life 7 seconds later, followed immediately by liftoff.

The Ariane 5 will take a standard ascent profile to geostationary transfer orbit. The two solid-fueled boosters will burn out two minutes, 21 seconds into flight, but the cryogenic first stage will continue firing until 10 minutes after launch, when it will shut down and separate to allow the upper stage to ignite and continue the trek to orbit. The storable propellant upper stage will burn for about 17 minutes to inject the trio of satellites into their intended transfer orbit.

Insat 3E will be the first payload to separate from the launcher 29 minutes into flight. Next will be the e-Bird satellite about 34 minutes after launch, and ending the mission will be the separation of the SMART 1 spacecraft 41 minutes, 40 seconds after liftoff.

Stay with Spaceflight Now for live play-by-play updates during the final countdown and launch of the Ariane 5 rocket Saturday night.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2003

In a change of pace for a team accustomed to almost one launch per month over the past decade, workers at Arianespace's South American launch site are preparing for just the fourth launch of 2003 for the company.

Liftoff of the Ariane 5 rocket is set for 2302 GMT (7:02 p.m. EDT) Saturday from the ELA-3 launch pad at Kourou, French Guiana, along South America's northeast coast. The launch window extends for just 19 minutes, rather short in comparison to other Ariane launches.

Flight 162 will mark the 161st Ariane launch dating back to 1979 and the 17th flight of the Ariane 5 rocket. It will be the fourth Ariane mission of 2003, following a pair of Ariane 5 flights and the final launch of the Ariane 4 rocket earlier this year. Arianespace's launch tempo has eased dramatically this year following the retirement of Ariane 4.

Perched inside the Ariane 5's payload fairing are a trio of spacecraft that will be injected into a highly elliptical geostationary transfer orbit about a half-hour after blastoff Wednesday. Two of the satellites -- Insat 3E and e-Bird -- will boost themselves into a circular orbit some 22,300 miles above Earth along the Equator to serve telecommunications users in India and Europe. The third, called SMART 1, is bound for the moon.

This launch has been delayed one month since its initial target liftoff date in late August, which illustrated one of the key drawbacks to launching multiple payloads on one rocket.

Concerns with the Indian Insat 3E communications satellite prompted the postponement after an alert was received from the manufacturer of components used in the spacecraft's communication transponders. Technicians performed "detailed quality rechecks" during the delay, Indian space program officials said.

But Eutelsat, owner of the co-passenger e-Bird satellite, released an extraordinarily harsh statement saying it "deplores this new postponement and the consequent delay to the launch." The press release went on: "the e-Bird satellite has been available for several months and waiting for the Ariane launch program to resume."

Arianespace has built its commercial satellite launching business around carrying more than one payload at a time, allowing the customers to share the rocket's price tag.

Insat 3E will be positioned at 55 degrees East longitude over the Indian Ocean, where it will beam communications services using 24 regular C-band transponders and 12 extended C-band transponders.

Users throughout the Indian subcontinent will take advantage of the 6,050-pound satellite's capabilities. Services to television and radio broadcasters and other businesses will highlight the 12-year mission of Insat 3E.

The other communications satellite on Flight 162 is e-Bird, which is optimized for high-speed broadband Internet access networks. Hovering along the Equator at 33 degrees East during its 10-year mission, the cylinderical spacecraft will reach Eutelsat customers and clients in a wide swath of Europe from Turkey to Spain to Norway.

The third payload aboard the Ariane 5 awaiting launch is SMART 1, a European technology demonstration and science mission that will slowly power its way into orbit around the Moon in a marathon 16-month process that uses a cutting edge ion engine.

After being released from the Ariane 5 upper stage in Earth orbit, the 807-pound satellite will fire up its solar electric-powered propulsion system two days after launch. Arrival at the Moon is slated for December 2004, with the craft entering its operational orbit in early 2005.

Once in lunar orbit, a number of technologies will be tested and checked out, along with scientific studies of the Moon. A focus on potential polar ice on the lunar south pole will be a prime scientific objective of SMART 1.

Watch this page for status reports during the final countdown and throughout the launch sequence.