Ariane-4 Flight V-139 mission update, 25-01-2001

Mission Log:
Flight 139
The launch campaign enters its final phase
 
 
January 25, 2001
 
Flight 139’s Ariane 4 rolled out to the launch zone on schedule today, taking the mission one major step closer to its February 7 liftoff.
 
The vehicle, an Ariane 44L version of Arianespace’s workhorse Ariane 4 family, was transferred the approximately one-kilometer distance from the vertical assembly building to the launch site.
 
For this dual satellite mission, the Ariane 4’s payload lift performance is 4,545 kg. – of which 4,080 kg. represents the mass of the two spacecraft to be injected into orbit. The Ariane 44L is the most powerful Ariane 4 version, equipped with four large liquid strap-on boosters.
 
Flight 139 will carry the European Sicral and Skynet 4 military communications satellites. Sicral is the first military spacecraft for Italy, and will be used by the Italian ministry of defense. Skynet 4F is to serve the United Kingdom, providing strategic and tactical communications services for the British armed forces.
 
While Ariane has orbited military telecommunications and observation payloads in the past, Flight 139 will be the first time two primary military payloads are lofted on a single launcher.