Flight 166 - April 19, 2005

The basic launch vehicle is complete for Ariane 5's next mission

Preparations for Arianespace's next commercial mission have reached the
advanced phase with the completion of the basic Ariane 5 vehicle in the
Spaceport's Launcher Integration Building.

This was accomplished with the integration of the vehicle equipment bay and
EPS upper stage atop the launcher. The upper stage will carry Flight 166's
payloads to their injection orbit, and it has the longest burn of any
propulsive stage on Ariane 5.

The EPS fits within the Ariane 5's upper stage, which carries the launcher's
flight control unit, power distribution system, telemetry system and other
elements that provide flight guidance, orientation and sequencing during the
mission.

Flight 166's vehicle is one of two launchers that will be prepared at the
Spaceport in French Guiana as Arianespace moves ahead with plans for four
Ariane 5 missions during the upcoming months. Three of the launches will be
performed with Ariane 5 Generic vehicle, while the other will use an Ariane
5 ECA increased-lift version.


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Jacques :-)

www.spacepatches.info