Flight 133’s Ariane 4 starts the final assembly process

Two Ariane 4s are taking shape at Europe’s Spaceport as Arianespace moves ahead with Flights 132 and 133 to catch up after a four-month suspension of launch operations.
 
 
As Flight 132’s launcher is readied for its September 6 liftoff, the Ariane 4 for Flight 133 is rapidly taking shape approximately 1 kilometer away in the ELA-2 preparation zone.
 
The Flight 133 launch campaign formally started on Monday, August 28, when the first stage was erected inside the Ariane 4 assembly building and placed on its mobile launch table. This was followed yesterday by installation of the Ariane 4’s second stage.
 
As the mission pace continues to pick up at the Spaceport, payloads for the upcoming launches with both Ariane 4 and Ariane 5 are arriving regularly in French Guiana. Arianespace plans to use its "first in/first out" philosophy, allowing satellites to be launched based on the order they are delivered to the Spaceport and readied for flight.
 
One of the next satellites in line is Europe*Star FM1 – the first spacecraft for the Europe*Star joint venture of major Arianespace customers Alcatel Space and Loral Space & Communications.
 
Arianespace plans to launch approximately once every three weeks through the rest of 2000. This follows the four-month suspension of missions, which ended August 17 with the successful launch of Flight 131’s Ariane 4.