Ariane 5 Star One C2 Satellite Launch Campaign Underway by Staff Writers Paris, France (SPX) Mar 05, 2008 Thales Alenia Space's Star One C2 telecommunications platform is undergoing processing in the Spaceport's clean room facilities, where it completed the fit-check process this week with an adapter unit that serves as the satellite/launch vehicle interface. To be used by Brazil's Star One telecommunications operator, Star One C2 carries a payload of 28 C-band transponders, 16 Ku-band transponders, and 1 X-band transponder.

The spacecraft is based on Thales Alenia Space's Spacebus 3000B3 platform, and will have a liftoff mass of 4,100 kg.

Star One C2's launch on a heavy-lift Ariane 5 ECA vehicle is scheduled for April, and follows Arianespace's successful orbiting of the Star One C1 satellite last November with another dual-payload Ariane 5 mission.

In addition to Star One C2's current processing at the Spaceport, Thales Alenia Space also has delivered a second payload to French Guiana for launch on a subsequent Ariane 5 mission in 2008.

This is the Turksat 3A satellite for Turkish international satellite and cable operator Turksat, which will provide telecommunications and direct TV broadcasting services though Turkey, Europe, Middle East, North Africa and Central Asia.

Arianespace is planning a total of seven Ariane 5 flights during 2008 as it increases the mission rate in response to growing customer demand for the company's commercial launch services.

The Spaceport in French Guiana is designed to accommodate a sustained mission pace, with its extensive processing facilities capable of handling multiple payloads simultaneously.