It’s a “go” for Flight 134 with Europe*Star 1! – Ariane 4 Mission Log: Mission Briefing for Flight 134

Flight 134’s mission campaign has entered its final hours following yesterday’s launch readiness review, which gave the green light for an early morning liftoff on October 28.

Fuelling of the first stage, second stage and liquid boosters with UH 25 and N204 propellant began this morning, clearing the way for the final countdown to start tomorrow.

Carrying 30 Ku-band transponders, the satellite will serve the new Europe*Star operator, which was established to market a complete range of telecommunications and data transmission services, including video, direct-to-home TV broadcasting, Internet access and rural telephony. Europe*Star is an Alcatel company and a member of the Loral Global Alliance.

Europe*Star 1 will provide service over Europe, the Middle East, Southern Africa, the Indian Subcontinent and Southeast Asia.

The satellite is an FS 1300 platform from Space Systems Loral, with a design operational lifetime of 15 years. When in orbit, the spacecraft will have a span of 24.7 meters when the solar panels are deployed.

Flight 134 will be Arianespace’s ninth launch of the year, and the second in October.