Ariane Flight 157: The “10-ton” Ariane 5 is ready for a December 11 launch

December 11 is the new liftoff date for Arianespace’s first flight of the
increased-lift “10-ton” Ariane 5.

The date was confirmed today following replacement of two external
chill-down igniters on the Ariane 5’s launch table. These devices were
replaced after the original countdown for Flight 157 was interrupted on
November 28 in final seconds due to an anomaly with data concerning the
igniters’ operation.

While the igniters are not a direct part of the Ariane 5, they do perform an
important task by burning off accumulated hydrogen used to chill down the
launcher’s Vulcain 2 cryogenic main engine before it begins operation.

Testing determined that sensors responsible for signaling the igniters’
correct operation did not function properly during the November 28
countdown, resulting in the launch scrub.

Preparations are now on track for the Ariane 5’s rollout to the Spaceport’s
ELA-3 launch zone on December 10, followed by the evening liftoff on
December 11. The launch window opens at 7:22 p.m. Kourou time and continues
to 8:14 p.m.

Flight 157 will carry two satellite payloads, demonstrating the Ariane 5’s
capability to pair up all types of spacecraft for efficient dual launches.
The first satellite to be deployed is the Eutelsat HOT BIRDTM 7 TV broadcast
platform, followed minutes later by the French CNES space agency’s Stentor
telecom demonstrator spacecraft.