Ariane 5 Credit - © Mark Wade

Completely new design, with a single-engine Lox/LH2 core stage flanked by two solid rocket boosters. Preparatory work began in 1984. Full scale development began in 1988 and cost $ 8 billion. The design was sized for the Hermes manned spaceplane, later cancelled. This resulted in the booster being a bit too large for the main commercial payload, geosynchronous communications satellites. The result was that development of an uprated version capable of launching two such satellites at a time was funded in 2000.

Manufacturer: EADS. Launches: 22. Failures: 1. Success Rate: 95.45%. First Launch Date: 1996-06-04. Last Launch Date: 2005-12-21. Launch data is: continuing. LEO Payload: 16,000 kg (35,000 lb). to: 407 km Orbit. at: 51.60 degrees. Payload: 6,800 kg (14,900 lb). to a: Geosynchronous transfer, 7 deg inclination trajectory. Apogee: 40,000 km (24,000 mi). Associated Spacecraft: ARD, Artemis, AS 2100, Cluster, Envisat, Eurostar 2000, FS-1300, HS 376, HS 702, Insat 3, Italsat, LDREX, MAQSAT, MSG, Oscar, Rosetta, Spacebus 3000, Star bus, STRV, XMM, YES, Hermes, ESA Automated Transfer Vehicle, ESA MTFF-Derived Space Station. Other Associated Spacecraft: ESA Polar Platform, ESA ACRV. Liftoff Thrust: 11,400.000 kN (2,562,800 lbf). Total Mass: 746,000 kg (1,644,000 lb). Core Diameter: 5.40 m (17.70 ft). Total Length: 54.05 m (177.32 ft). Launch Price $: 180.000 million. in: 2000 price dollars.

• Stage Number: 0. 2 x Stage: Ariane 5-0. Gross Mass: 277,500 kg (611,700 lb). Empty Mass: 39,800 kg (87,700 lb). Thrust (vac): 6,470.000 kN (1,454,510 lbf). Isp: 275 sec. Burn time: 129 sec. Isp(sl): 250 sec. Diameter: 3.05 m (10.00 ft). Span: 3.05 m (10.00 ft). Length: 31.60 m (103.60 ft). Propellants: Solid. No Engines: 1. Engine: P230. Other designations: SPB235. Status: In production. Nozzle expansion ratio increased from 9.7 to 11.0 after 1997. Chamber pressure 61.3 bar. HTPB propellant.

• Stage Number: 1. 1 x Stage: Ariane 5-1. Gross Mass: 170,800 kg (376,500 lb). Empty Mass: 12,700 kg (27,900 lb). Thrust (vac): 1,114.000 kN (250,437 lbf). Isp: 430 sec. Burn time: 589 sec. Isp(sl): 340 sec. Diameter: 5.46 m (17.91 ft). Span: 5.46 m (17.91 ft). Length: 30.50 m (100.00 ft). Propellants: Lox/LH2. No Engines: 1. Engine: Vulcain. Other designations: H155. Status: In production. Chamber pressure 108 bar; expansion ratio 45.0; propellant mix ratio 5.3.

• Stage Number: 2. 1 x Stage: Ariane 5-2. Gross Mass: 12,500 kg (27,500 lb). Empty Mass: 2,700 kg (5,900 lb). Thrust (vac): 27.400 kN (6,160 lbf). Isp: 324 sec. Burn time: 1,100 sec. Diameter: 3.96 m (12.99 ft). Span: 5.46 m (17.91 ft). Length: 3.36 m (11.02 ft). Propellants: N2O4/MMH. No Engines: 1. Engine: Aestus. Other designations: L-9. Status: In production. Chamber pressure 10 bar; expansion ratio 83.0; propellant mix ratio 2.05. Empty mass without VEB payload fairing support ring and avionics is 1200 kg.

1984 - Launch Vehicle: Ariane 5G.

• Preliminary design of all-new replacement of Ariane 4 launch vehicle begins. Nation: France.

• Full scale development of Ariane 5 launch vehicle authorised. Nation: France. The Ariane 5 was a completely new design, with a single-engine Lox/LH2 core stage flanked by two solid rocket boosters. Full scale development cost $ 8 billion.

• Cluster F1 Nation: Europe. Class: Earth. Type: Magnetosphere. Spacecraft: Cluster. Agency: ESA. COSPAR: F960604A. The Cluster satellites were a series of sophisticated earth-observation platforms that were to be launched aboard the first Ariane 5. The explosion of the booster led to a costly setback for European space science. There were no back-up spacecraft. Some instruments may fly on other future satellites.References: 4.

• Cluster F2 Nation: Europe. Class: Earth. Type: Magnetosphere. Spacecraft: Cluster. Agency: ESA. COSPAR: F960604B. References: 4.

• Cluster F3 Nation: Europe. Class: Earth. Type: Magnetosphere. Spacecraft: Cluster. Agency: ESA. COSPAR: F960604C. References: 4.

• Cluster F4 Nation: Europe. Class: Earth. Type: Magnetosphere. Spacecraft: Cluster. Agency: ESA. COSPAR: F960604D. References: 4.

• MAQSAT-H/TEAMSAT Nation: Europe. Payload: MAQSAT-H. Class: Technology. Spacecraft: MAQSAT. Agency: ESA. Manufacturer: Kayser-Threde, Munchen. Perigee: 545 km (338 mi). Apogee: 26,504 km (16,468 mi). Inclination: 7.60 deg. Period: 465.70 min. COSPAR: 1997-066A. USAF Sat Cat: 25023. Dummy communications satellite instrumented to report the actual payload bay environment during launch. It included the TEAMSAT technology experiment payload, developed by ESTEC References: 4.

• MAQSAT-B/EPS Nation: Europe. Payload: MAQSAT-B. Class: Technology. Spacecraft: MAQSAT. Agency: ESA. Manufacturer: Kayser-Threde, Munchen. Perigee: 541 km (336 mi). Apogee: 26,549 km (16,496 mi). Inclination: 7.60 deg. Period: 466.40 min. COSPAR: 1997-066B. USAF Sat Cat: 25024. Dummy satellite in the lower bay of the SPELTRA dual launch adapter. References: 4.

• YES Nation: Europe. Payload: Young Engineers Satellite. Class: Technology. Spacecraft: YES. Agency: ESA. Manufacturer: European Space Tech. Centre, Noordwijk. Perigee: 558 km (346 mi). Apogee: 26,604 km (16,530 mi). Inclination: 7.60 deg. Period: 467.70 min. COSPAR: 1997-066C. USAF Sat Cat: 25025. Young Engineers Satellite with several technology experiments. Ejected from MAQSAT-H/TEAMSAT. References: 4.

• Maqsat 3 Nation: France. Class: Technology. Spacecraft: MAQSAT. Agency: ESA. Manufacturer: Kayser-Threde, Munchen. Perigee: 1,017 km (631 mi). Apogee: 35,491 km (22,053 mi). Inclination: 7.50 deg. Period: 641.20 min. COSPAR: 1998-059A. USAF Sat Cat: 25503. Maqsat 3 was an instrumentation package used to monitor performance of the Ariane 5 booster. At T+12:43 the Speltra adapter cover separated revealing Maqsat-3. At T+15:14 the EPS stage Aestus engine ignited and burned until T+31:00. At this point on a normal mission the satellite would separate from the EPS, but to avoid creating space debris Maqsat remained attached to the EPS. The EPS/Maqsat-3 was placed in a 1027 km x 35863 km x 7.0 degree geostationary transfer orbit.

• ARD Nation: France. Program: ISS. Payload: Atmospheric Reentry Demonstrator. Class: Technology. Spacecraft: ARD. Agency: Arianespace. COSPAR: 1998-059S. The ARD was an 80 percent scale model of the Apollo Command Module, and a technology test for a possible International Space Station Crew Rescue Vehicle. Equipment included a TDRS satellite communications system; a GPS navigation system; 7 DASA 40 kgf hydrazine attitude control thrusters; a 2.8 m diameter heat shield; three 23 metre diameter parachutes, and a SARSAT recovery beacon. The ARD separated from the Ariane EPS upper stage at 12 minutes 2 seconds after launch. ARD and the EPC stage manoeuvred into a 1 km x 830 km orbit, guaranteeing re-entry at the end of the first orbit. The spacecraft splashed down in the Pacific at 3.69 degrees N, 153.35 degrees W, and was successfully recovered by the French Navy.

• XMM Nation: Europe. Mass: 3,764 kg (8,298 lb). Class: Astronomy. Spacecraft: XMM. Agency: ESA. Manufacturer: DaimlerChrysler Dornier, Friedrichshafen. Perigee: 7,417 km (4,608 mi). Apogee: 113,678 km (70,636 mi). Inclination: 38.80 deg. COSPAR: 1999-066A. USAF Sat Cat: 25989. ESA's X-ray Multi-Mirror space observatory was the biggest science satellite ever built in Europe. Complementary in characteristics to NASA's Chandra satellite, the spacecraft were expected to make major new astronomical discoveries. References: 4, 552, 554.

• Asiastar Nation: Europe. Mass: 2,778 kg (6,124 lb). Class: Communications. Spacecraft: Eurostar 2000. Agency: Worldspa. Manufacturer: Matra. Perigee: 35,772 km (22,227 mi). Apogee: 35,802 km (22,246 mi). Inclination: 0.00 deg. COSPAR: 2000-016A. USAF Sat Cat: 26107. Direct Radio Broadcasting satelllite. First night launch of Ariane 5. Worldspace's second digital radio satellite. Joined Afristar in orbit with a mission of providing radio broadcasting to the developing world. Stationed at 105 deg E. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 105 deg E in 2000. As of 4 September 2001 located at 104.96 deg E drifting at 0.015 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 9 located at 104.99E drifting at 0.012W degrees per day.References: 4, 552, 554.

• Insat 3B Nation: India. Program: Insat. Mass: 2,778 kg (6,124 lb). Class: Communications. Spacecraft: Insat 3. Agency: ISRO. Manufacturer: ISRO. Perigee: 35,761 km (22,220 mi). Apogee: 35,812 km (22,252 mi). Inclination: 0.10 deg. COSPAR: 2000-016B. USAF Sat Cat: 26108. Replaced the lost Insat 2D and carried a pure telecommunications payload of C, Ku and S band transponders. Stationed at 83 deg E. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 73 deg E in 2000. As of 5 September 2001 located at 83.07 deg E drifting at 0.014 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 11 located at 82.94E drifting at 0.012W degrees per day.References: 4, 552, 554.

• Astra 2B Nation: Europe. Program: Astra. Mass: 3,320 kg (7,310 lb). Class: Communications. Spacecraft: Eurostar 2000. Agency: SES. Manufacturer: Astrium, Toulouse (former Matra). Perigee: 35,768 km (22,225 mi). Apogee: 35,804 km (22,247 mi). Inclination: 0.00 deg. COSPAR: 2000-054A. USAF Sat Cat: 26494. Direct Broadcasting satellite. Launch postponed from July 25. Astra 2B was an Astrium/Toulouse Eurostar 2000+ television broadcast satellite owned by the Luxembourg-based Societe Europeene de Satellites. The satellite was to be stationed at 28.2E to replace the German DFS Kopernikus. It carried 28 Ku-band transponders. By September 19 Astra 2B was in a 31,153 x 35,762 km x 0.3 deg orbit, approaching geosynchronous altitude. Stationed at 28 deg E. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 28 deg E in 2000. As of 20 August 2001 located at 28.50 deg E drifting at 0.011 deg E per day. As of 2007 Mar 10 located at 28.15E drifting at 0.017W degrees per day.References: 4, 552, 554.

• GE 7 Nation: USA. Program: Americom. Mass: 3,320 kg (7,310 lb). Class: Communications. Spacecraft: AS 2100. Agency: GE Americom. Manufacturer: Lockheed Martin, Sunnyvale. Perigee: 35,783 km (22,234 mi). Apogee: 35,789 km (22,238 mi). Inclination: 0.00 deg. COSPAR: 2000-054B. USAF Sat Cat: 26495. Direct Broadcasting satellite. GE Americom satellite to provide cable TV distribution coverage to the USA. Equipped with 24 C-band transponders. Its dry mass was 912 kg and it carried 1023 kg of fuel at launch. The satellite is an A2100A model built by Lockheed Martin/Sunnyvale, the first lightweight A2100 with a mass about half that of earlier A2100 satellites. By September 19 GE 7 was in a 35,832 x 35,869 km x 0.1 deg orbit drifting over 146 deg W. Stationed at 137 deg W. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 137 deg W in 2000. As of 4 September 2001 located at 136.92 deg W drifting at 0.003 deg E per day. As of 2007 Mar 9 located at 137.03W drifting at 0.000E degrees per day.References: 4, 552, 554.

• PAS 1R Nation: USA. Mass: 4,758 kg (10,489 lb). Class: Communications. Spacecraft: HS 702. Agency: Panamsat. Manufacturer: Boeing-ES. Perigee: 35,781 km (22,233 mi). Apogee: 35,793 km (22,240 mi). Inclination: 0.00 deg. Period: 1,436.10 min. COSPAR: 2000-072A. USAF Sat Cat: 26608. First use of the ASAP-5 piggyback payload adapter. Communications satellite, stationed at 58 deg W. PAS 1R was a large Boeing Model 702 satellite with a dry mass of about 3000 kg (launch mass 4793 kg) and a solar panel span of 45m. It carried 36 C and 48 Ku-band transponders. PAS 1R was operated by Panamsat, whose fleet included the former Hughes Galaxy system. The PAS 1R, STRV 1c/1d, and AMSAT Phase 3D satellites were placed in orbit on a single Ariane launch. The EPS stage entered geostationary transfer orbit at 0134 GMT, followed by separation of the PAS 1R main payload. As of 4 September 2001 located at 45.03 deg W drifting at 0.016 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 1 located at 45.05W drifting at 0.023W degrees per day.References: 4, 552, 554.

• AMSAT-Oscar-40 Nation: Germany. Mass: 4,758 kg (10,489 lb). Class: Communications. Spacecraft: Oscar. Agency: AMSAT. Manufacturer: Amateur Satellite Corp., Germany. Perigee: 1,167 km (725 mi). Apogee: 58,650 km (36,440 mi). Inclination: 7.50 deg. Period: 1,146.50 min. COSPAR: 2000-072B. USAF Sat Cat: 26609. The long-delayed Phase 3D amateur radio satellite, built by AMSAT-DL (Germany), was renamed AMSAT-Oscar-40 (AO-40) once launched. It carried an MBB S400 liquid engine (the backup engine for the Galileo Jupiter probe) and a variety of amateur radio payloads in L, S, C, X, V, U and K bands, as well as an ammonia arcjet thruster and a laser communications experiment. The satellite was the largest amateur satellite orbited to date and the first to feature deployable solar panels. Mass was 397 kg dry. The PAS 1R, STRV 1c/1d, and AMSAT Phase 3D satellites were placed in orbit on a single Ariane launch. At 0149 GMT the SBS cylindrical adapter which connected PAS-1R to AMSAT was jettisoned; 50 seconds later AMSAT separated from the EPS upper stage. Thereafter the spacecraft could not be contacted. Finally telemetry was received from after two weeks of silence, confirming that the satellite was still functioning.References: 4, 552, 554.

• STRV-1c Nation: UK. Mass: 4,758 kg (10,489 lb). Class: Technology. Spacecraft: STRV. Agency: DERA. Manufacturer: Defense Eval. and Research Agency, Farnborough. Perigee: 680 km (420 mi). Apogee: 39,789 km (24,723 mi). Inclination: 6.30 deg. COSPAR: 2000-072C. USAF Sat Cat: 26610. The two small STRV cubes were then ejected from the Ariane EPS stage ASAP-5 secondary payload structure at 0141 GMT. STRV-1c and 1d were small satellites built by the DERA (former Royal Aircraft Establishment), Farnborough, England. Mass was around 95 kg each. STRV-1c performed accelerated life testing of new components and materials in the high radiation environment of geosynchronous transfer orbit.References: 4, 552, 554.

• STRV-1d Nation: UK. Mass: 4,758 kg (10,489 lb). Class: Technology. Spacecraft: STRV. Agency: DERA. Manufacturer: Defense Eval. and Research Agency, Farnborough. Perigee: 605 km (375 mi). Apogee: 39,282 km (24,408 mi). Inclination: 7.10 deg. Period: 708.30 min. COSPAR: 2000-072D. USAF Sat Cat: 26611. STRV-1c and 1d were small satellites built by the DERA (former Royal Aircraft Establishment), Farnborough, England. Mass was around 95 kg each. STRV-1d carries an NRL Space Test Program experiment (S97-2), a camera, and technology and computer experiments.References: 4, 552, 554.

• Astra 2D Nation: Europe. Program: Astra. Mass: 1,414 kg (3,117 lb). Class: Communications. Spacecraft: HS 376. Agency: SES. Manufacturer: Boeing-ES. Perigee: 35,886 km (22,298 mi). Apogee: 35,895 km (22,304 mi). Inclination: 0.20 deg. Period: 1,441.41 min. COSPAR: 2000-081A. USAF Sat Cat: 26638. Astra 2D was a Boeing 376HP spin-stabilised satellite, with a dry mass of around 700 kg. It was owned by the Luxembourg-based company SES and was to broadcast to the British Isles. Astra 2D was in a 292 x 35835 km x 2.2 deg transfer orbit on December 22 and was subsequently boosted into geosynchronous orbit by its Star 30 apogee kick motor. The 825 kg (dry mass) satellite carried 16 Ku-band transponders to provide direct-to-home voice, video, and data transmissions to Britain and neighboring countries after parking over 28.2 deg-E longitude. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 28 deg E in 2001 As of 3 September 2001 located at 28.17 deg E drifting at 0.014 deg E per day. As of 2007 Mar 10 located at 28.17E drifting at 0.014W degrees per day.References: 4, 552, 554.

• GE 8/Aurora III Nation: USA. Program: Americom. Payload: Aurora 3. Mass: 1,414 kg (3,117 lb). Class: Communications. Spacecraft: AS 2100. Agency: GE Americom. Manufacturer: Lockheed Martin, Sunnyvale. Perigee: 35,784 km (22,235 mi). Apogee: 35,795 km (22,241 mi). Inclination: 0.00 deg. Period: 1,436.25 min. COSPAR: 2000-081B. USAF Sat Cat: 26639. GE 8 was a C-band TV and data distribution satellite for GE Americom. The Lockheed Martin A2100A spacecraft had a launch mass of 2015 kg, a dry mass of 919 kg, and was equipped with 24 C-band transponders. By December 26 GE 8 had reached an 18656 x 35760 km x 0.4 deg orbit on its way to geostationary orbit. It was jointly owned by AT&T Alascom for Alaskan communications, and was also called Aurora III. Americom and Alascom were originally both RCA subsidiaries. Alascom continued to use the Americom network while GE operated the satellite. The 2.2 tonne (with fuel) spacecraft carried 24 C-band transponders to provide voice, video, and broadband data communications to the contiguous USA, Alaska, and the Caribbean after parking over 139 deg-W longitude. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 146 deg W in 2001 As of 5 September 2001 located at 139.01 deg W drifting at 0.000 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 11 located at 139.03W drifting at 0.003E degrees per day.References: 4, 552, 554.

• LDREX Nation: Japan. Mass: 1,414 kg (3,117 lb). Class: Technology. Spacecraft: LDREX. Agency: NASDA. Manufacturer: National Space Development Agency, Japan. Perigee: 241 km (149 mi). Apogee: 30,257 km (18,800 mi). Inclination: 2.40 deg. Period: 527.50 min. COSPAR: 2000-081C. USAF Sat Cat: 26640. Ariane V138's EPS upper stage carried an ASAP5 small payload attachment ring with a special camera system and the LDREX experimental antenna for Japan's NASDA space agency. LDREX (Large-scale Deployable Reflector EXperiment) was a 6-m diameter antenna which was to have deployed 40 minutes after launch, to test the deployment mechanism for the larger antenna to be used on the ETS-8 satellite. After the test the antenna was to have been jettisoned. However the experiment failed and no deployment or jettison took place.References: 4, 552, 554.

• Eurobird Nation: Europe. Payload: Eutelsat W1R. Mass: 3,050 kg (6,720 lb). Class: Communications. Spacecraft: Spacebus 3000. Agency: Eutelsat. Manufacturer: Alcatel Space. Perigee: 35,773 km (22,228 mi). Apogee: 35,798 km (22,243 mi). Inclination: 0.00 deg. Period: 1,436.00 min. COSPAR: 2001-011A. USAF Sat Cat: 26719. Launch delayed from March 2. Eurobird was a Spacebus 3000B3 built by Alcatel (Cannes). It was the 18th member of the European Eutelsat consortium's geosynchronous constellation and carried 24 Ku-band transponders to provide broad bandwidth and high power direct-to-home transmissions to enable digital entertainment and internet connections. The three tonne (with fuel) satellite was to be parked over 28.5 deg-E longitude, replacing the aging Copernicus (Kopernikus (DFS 3), 1992-066A). Dry mass was probably around 1300 kg. The satellite had an Astrium S400 bipropellant engine. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 28 deg E in 2001 As of 4 September 2001 located at 28.50 deg E drifting at 0.005 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 11 located at 28.52E drifting at 0.000W degrees per day.References: 4, 552, 554.

• BSAT-2a Nation: Japan. Program: BSAT. Mass: 3,050 kg (6,720 lb). Class: Communications. Spacecraft: Star bus. Agency: BSAT. Manufacturer: Alcatel Space. Perigee: 35,764 km (22,222 mi). Apogee: 35,807 km (22,249 mi). Inclination: 0.10 deg. Period: 1,436.10 min. COSPAR: 2001-011B. USAF Sat Cat: 26720. BSAT-2a was a Japanese geosynchronous communications spacecraft and the second Orbital STAR-class television broadcasting satellite. Its launch mass was 1317 kg; dry mass was 535 kg. The satellite had a Thiokol Star 30CBP solid apogee motor. The new BSTAR STAR-class satellites are a new design replacing the earlier Starbus type satellite of which only one (Cakrawarta 1) was launched. BSAT Corp. (Broadcasting Satellite System Corp.) earlier launched HS-376 satellites BSAT 1a and 1b, replacing the government's BS series which began Japanese direct broadcast services in 1978. The satellite was to be parked over 110 deg-E longitude to provide direct-to-home voice, video and internet communications. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 110 deg E in 2001 As of 5 September 2001 located at 109.82 deg E drifting at 0.018 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 11 located at 109.92E drifting at 0.009W degrees per day.References: 4, 552, 554.

• Artemis Nation: Europe. Mass: 3,105 kg (6,845 lb). Class: Technology. Type: Communications. Spacecraft: Artemis. Agency: ESA. Manufacturer: Alenia Aerospazio. Perigee: 32,451 km (20,164 mi). Apogee: 32,586 km (20,247 mi). Inclination: 1.10 deg. Period: 1,272.40 min. COSPAR: 2001-029A. USAF Sat Cat: 26863. Artemis was a European Space Agency satellite designed to test new communications technologies. The Ariane 510 vehicle failed to reach its correct orbit. The solid boosters and main stage worked as planned and put the EPS upper stage in the planned near-suborbital trajectory. The EPS stage then fired but the Aestus engine failed to reach full thrust and cut off 1 minute early. Instead of the planned 858 x 35853 km orbit, only a 592 x 17528 km orbit was reached. The 3.1 tonne (with fuel), 2.5 kW spacecraft carried two pairs of ion engines and had adequate xenon propellant for those engines to reach geosynchronous altitude. This was the first ever rescue of a satellite mission using electric propulsion. The satellite reached its operational orbit in 31 January 2003.using the four German RITA electric xenon thrusters. Artemis could then function as originally planned, as there remained sufficient chemical propellant for 10 years’ operation. Artemis was to provide voice and data communications between mobile phones in Europe and North America, and act as a relay satellite between low-Earth orbiters and ground stations. Eventually, as part of the planned EGNOS system (to be operational by about 2010) it was to provide navigation/location determination as an independent European counterpart to the GPS and GLONASS fleets. As of 2007 Mar 11 located at 21.40E drifting at 0.001W degrees per day.References: 4, 296.

• BSAT-2b Nation: Japan. Program: BSAT. Mass: 3,105 kg (6,845 lb). Class: Communications. Spacecraft: Star bus. Agency: BSAT. Manufacturer: Alenia Aerospazio. Perigee: 659 km (409 mi). Apogee: 17,400 km (10,800 mi). Inclination: 2.90 deg. Period: 317.20 min. COSPAR: 2001-029B. USAF Sat Cat: 26864. BSAT-2b was planned as a geosynchronous television broadcast satellite for the Japanese B-SAT company. It used Orbital's Star 1 bus and had a launch mass of 1298 kg. It carried a Thiokol Star 30 solid apogee motor and a set of station-keeping thrusters with 200 kg of propellant. A propulsion problem in the final stage of rocket stranded the satellite at a much lower altitude than planned. Since BSAT 2B carried only a soild propellant apogee kick motor, it was unable to maneuver itself to a useful orbit.References: 4, 296.

• Envisat Nation: Europe. Mass: 7,991 kg (17,617 lb). Class: Earth. Type: Radarsat. Spacecraft: Envisat. Agency: Arianespace. Perigee: 783 km (486 mi). Apogee: 785 km (487 mi). Inclination: 98.60 deg. Period: 100.50 min. COSPAR: 2002-009A. USAF Sat Cat: 27386. This launch was the first Ariane 5 to use the 17-m Long Fairing and the first to launch north from Kourou. The booster placed the European Space Agency's Envisat polar platform in orbit. The flight profile was quite different from earlier Ariane 5 GTO launches where the EPC core stage usually reached a marginal orbit. In this case EPC separation at 350 km high 10 min after launch. The stage was on a -2610 x 651 km x 93.8 deg orbit, reaching apogee around 0125 UTC and reentering north of Ellesmere Island at about 0136 UTC. The EPS final stage with Envisat only achieved a positive perigee at 22 minutes after launch, with a circular 790 km sun-synchronous orbit reached at 25 min after launch. ESA reported the booster put the satellite to within 20 m of the desired orbital position.References: 4, 552, 554.

• Stellat 5 Nation: France. Mass: 4,050 kg (8,920 lb). Class: Communications. Spacecraft: Spacebus 3000. Agency: Stellat (France). Manufacturer: Alcatel Space. Perigee: 35,767 km (22,224 mi). Apogee: 35,807 km (22,249 mi). Inclination: 0.00 deg. Period: 1,436.10 min. COSPAR: 2002-035A. USAF Sat Cat: 27460. Launch delayed from late June. Stellat-5 was an Alcatel Spacebus 3000B3 with a dry mass of 1805 kg and 2245 kg of propellant. The satellite carried Ku-band and C-band transponders, and was a joint venture between France Telecom and Europeon.Star which was to provide 2-way internet access and video transmission from 5 deg W. Stellat-5 was colocated with France Telecom's Telecom 2C. As of 2007 Mar 10 located at 4.99W drifting at 0.000E degrees per day.References: 4, 552, 554.

• NStar c Nation: Japan. Mass: 4,050 kg (8,920 lb). Class: Communications. Spacecraft: Star bus. Agency: Stellat (France). Manufacturer: Alcatel Space. Perigee: 35,772 km (22,227 mi). Apogee: 35,801 km (22,245 mi). Inclination: 0.00 deg. Period: 1,436.10 min. COSPAR: 2002-035B. USAF Sat Cat: 27461. Launch delayed from late June. The N-Star c satellite was an S-band satellite for mobile telephone communications for NTT DoCoMo of Japan. N-Star c had a communications payload built by Lockheed Martin and used the Star 2 bus from Orbital. The small Star 2 satellite had a dry mass around 800 kg and was the first flight of a new Orbital hydrazine/nitrogen tetroxide liquid apogee propulsion system with a 500N thrust apogee engine developed by Japan's IHI. As of 2007 Mar 9 located at 135.92E drifting at 0.012W degrees per day.References: 4, 552, 554.

• Atlantic Bird 1 Nation: Europe. Program: Eutelsat. Mass: 2,700 kg (5,900 lb). Class: Communications. Spacecraft: Italsat. Agency: Eutelsat. Manufacturer: Alenia Aerospazio. Perigee: 35,786 km (22,236 mi). Apogee: 35,787 km (22,236 mi). Inclination: 0.10 deg. Period: 1,436.10 min. COSPAR: 2002-040A. USAF Sat Cat: 27508. Launch delayed from August 27. Atlantic Bird was a European (EUTELSAT) geostationary communications spacecraft. The 2.7-ton (1550 kg dry with 1150 propellant), 5 kW satellite was to provide voice, video, and Internet services to Europe and the eastern part of America through its 24 transponders after being parked over 12.5° W. As of 2007 Mar 10 located at 12.49W drifting at 0.006W degrees per day.References: 4, 552, 554.

• MSG 1 Nation: Europe. Mass: 2,010 kg (4,430 lb). Class: Earth. Type: Weather. Spacecraft: MSG. Agency: Eutelsat (Europe). Manufacturer: Alenia Aerospazio. Perigee: 35,784 km (22,235 mi). Apogee: 35,790 km (22,230 mi). Inclination: 1.80 deg. Period: 1,436.10 min. COSPAR: 2002-040B. USAF Sat Cat: 27509. Launch delayed from August 27. MSG 1 (Meteosat Second Generation 1) was a European (EUMETSAT consortium) geostationary weather satellite. After first being parked over 10° E longitude for six months it was later to be moved to zero degree longitude. As of 2007 Mar 7 located at 3.50W drifting at 0.015W degrees per day.References: 4, 552, 554.

• Insat 3A Nation: India. Program: Insat. Mass: 2,958 kg (6,521 lb). Class: Communications. Spacecraft: Insat 3. Agency: ISRO. Manufacturer: ISRO. Perigee: 35,771 km (22,227 mi). Apogee: 35,802 km (22,246 mi). Inclination: 0.10 deg. Period: 1,436.10 min. COSPAR: 2003-013A. USAF Sat Cat: 27714. Return to flight of Ariane 5G after grounded following Ariane 5EC-A failure. Launch delayed from February 24, April 8, 2003. Satellite also had meteorological instruments. As of 2007 Mar 10 located at 93.48E drifting at 0.009W degrees per day.

• Galaxy 12 Nation: USA. Program: Galaxy. Mass: 1,792 kg (3,950 lb). Class: Communications. Spacecraft: Star bus. Agency: Panamsat. Manufacturer: Orbital Sciences. Perigee: 35,784 km (22,235 mi). Apogee: 35,791 km (22,239 mi). Inclination: 0.10 deg. Period: 1,436.10 min. COSPAR: 2003-013B. USAF Sat Cat: 27715. As of 2007 Mar 11 located at 125.09W drifting at 0.001W degrees per day.

• Optus and Defence 1 Nation: Australia. Mass: 4,725 kg (10,416 lb). Class: Communications. Spacecraft: FS-1300. Perigee: 35,770 km (22,220 mi). Apogee: 35,803 km (22,246 mi). Inclination: 0.10 deg. Period: 1,436.10 min. COSPAR: 2003-028A. USAF Sat Cat: 27830. Satellite jointly owned by Singtel Optus Pty and the Australian Dept. of Defense. Previous satellites in the series were purely civilian and didn't carry the dedicated defence communications equipment. Prime contractor for the satellie was Mitsubishi, using a Loral FS-1300 bus with UHF, X-band and Ka-band communications transponders. As of 2007 Mar 11 located at 109.87E drifting at 0.009W degrees per day.

• BSAT-2c Nation: Japan. Program: BSAT. Payload: Star 1. Mass: 1,298 kg (2,861 lb). Class: Communications. Spacecraft: Star bus. Agency: Broadcasting Satellite System Corp. Manufacturer: Orbital Sciences. Perigee: 35,771 km (22,227 mi). Apogee: 35,802 km (22,246 mi). Inclination: 0.00 deg. Period: 1,436.10 min. COSPAR: 2003-028B. USAF Sat Cat: 27831. As of 2007 Mar 9 located at 155.98E drifting at 0.008W degrees per day.

• E-Bird Nation: Europe. Payload: BSS-376HP. Mass: 1,525 kg (3,362 lb). Class: Communications. Type: Broadband. Spacecraft: HS 376. Agency: Eutelsat. Perigee: 664 km (412 mi). Apogee: 35,758 km (22,218 mi). Inclination: 6.90 deg. Period: 639.60 min. COSPAR: 2003-043B. USAF Sat Cat: 27948. Last flight of the Ariane 5G. Launch delayed from July 15, August 22 and 28, September 3. The e-Bird was to service high-speed access networks providing both forward and return links via satellite. The spacecraft carried 20 active Ku-band transponders, each powered by a 33-watt traveling wave tube amplifier. The Ku-band transponders were connected to four spot beams that would provide coverage over Europe and Turkey. The spacecraft was to operate at 33 degrees East longitude, and had a contract life of 10 years.

• Insat 3E Nation: India. Program: Insat. Mass: 2,750 kg (6,060 lb). Class: Communications. Spacecraft: Insat 3. Agency: ISRO. Manufacturer: ISRO. Perigee: 667 km (414 mi). Apogee: 35,704 km (22,185 mi). Inclination: 7.00 deg. Period: 638.60 min. COSPAR: 2003-043E. USAF Sat Cat: 27951. The 440 Newton Liquid Apogee Motor (LAM) took the satellite from its Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO) of 649 km perigee and 36,000 km apogee with an orbital inclination of 7 deg. The LAM was fired for a total duration of 121 minutes in three phases on September 29, September 30 and October 1. A total velocity of 1460 m/sec was added by LAM at apogee. INSAT-3E had 1592 kg propellant at the time of its injection into GTO by Ariane-5 launch vehicle on September 28. After orbit raising operations, it had 510 kg of propellant remaining that is sufficient to arrest the drift and park it at its orbital slot as well as maintain the satellite in its orbit and controlling its orientation during its design life of more than 12 years. After the completion of the third apogee motor firing, the Solar Arrays and Antennae of INSAT-3E were deployed. The Sun tracking solar array of INSAT-3E had a total area of 29.6 sq m and it is designed to generate 2.9 kW (BoL) of power in orbit. The satellite had two deployable antennas and one fixed antenna. The satellite was expected to reach its final orbital slot of 55 deg E and be put into operation by November 2003. As of 2007 Mar 9 located at 54.97E drifting at 0.001W degrees per day.

• SMART-1 Nation: Europe. Mass: 370 kg (810 lb). Class: Space Probe Technolo. Agency: ESA. Perigee: 667 km (414 mi). Apogee: 35,704 km (22,185 mi). Inclination: 7.00 deg. Period: 638.60 min. COSPAR: 2003-043x. USAF Sat Cat: 27951. European Space Agency satellite which was to use ion drive and gravity assists to reach lunar orbit. The spacecraft made its third lunar resonance gravity assist on October 12, 2004. The continued gravitational effect of the Moon resulted in lunar capture on November 15, 2004,, when SMART-1 entered a 4962 x 51,477 km orbit around the Moon inclined at 81 degrees to the lunar equator.

• Rosetta Nation: Europe. Mass: 3,065 kg (6,757 lb). Class: Planetary. Type: Comet. Spacecraft: Rosetta. Agency: ESA. Manufacturer: Astrium. COSPAR: 2004-006A. USAF Sat Cat: 28169. Launch delayed from January 13, 2003, February 26 and 27, 2004. References: 552, 554.

• Anik F2 Nation: Canada. Payload: BSS-702. Mass: 5,950 kg (13,110 lb). Class: Communications. Spacecraft: HS 702. Agency: Télésat Canada. Manufacturer: Boeing Satellite Systems. Perigee: 33,253 km (20,662 mi). Apogee: 38,333 km (23,818 mi). Inclination: 0.20 deg. Period: 1,436.40 min. COSPAR: 2004-027A. USAF Sat Cat: 28378. Delayed from May, July 9, 13, 16 and 17. Heaviest single payload to GTO to that date. As of 2007 Mar 11 located at 111.09W drifting at 0.004W degrees per day.

• Helios 2A Nation: France. Mass: 4,200 kg (9,200 lb). Class: Surveillance. Type: Military. Spacecraft: Helios 2. Agency: DGA. Manufacturer: EADS Astrium. Perigee: 688 km (427 mi). Apogee: 690 km (420 mi). Inclination: 98.08 deg. Period: 98.39 min. COSPAR: 2004-049A. USAF Sat Cat: 28492. First of two new-generation French military surveillance satellites. Last flight of Ariane 5G model. Launch delayed from December 10.

• Nanosat 01 Nation: Spain. Mass: 20 kg (44 lb). Class: Technology. Agency: INTA. Manufacturer: INTA. Perigee: 658 km (408 mi). Apogee: 666 km (413 mi). Inclination: 98.10 deg. Period: 98.00 min. COSPAR: 2004-049B. USAF Sat Cat: 28493. Experimental nanosat built by the Spanish space agency (INTA).

• Essaim 1 Nation: France. Mass: 120 kg (260 lb). Class: ELINT. Spacecraft: Myriade. Agency: DGA. Manufacturer: EADS Astrium. Perigee: 663 km (411 mi). Apogee: 673 km (418 mi). Inclination: 98.08 deg. Period: 97.96 min. COSPAR: 2004-049C. USAF Sat Cat: 28494. The Essaim demonstrator was a system of several micro-satellites (Essaim means 'swarm' in French) for 'analysis of the electro-magnetic environment of the Earth's surface' (electronic intelligence). DGA, the French Ministry of Defence's procurement agency, developed the project. The system also comprised a ground control segment and a ground station for data processing. It was called a 'demonstrator' since the mission's objective was to assess the operational capability of such a system, paving the way for the next generation. The Essaim satellites were based on EADS Astrium's Myriade multipurpose micro-satellite. In early 2000, the DGA awarded the contract for the development, manufacturing of this turnkey system of micro-satellites and associated ground segment. Under the contract, EADS Astrium was also responsible for personnel training and system operations during the three-year life duration of the programme.

• Essaim 2 Nation: France. Mass: 120 kg (260 lb). Class: ELINT. Spacecraft: Myriade. Agency: DGA. Manufacturer: EADS Astrium. Perigee: 657 km (408 mi). Apogee: 664 km (412 mi). Inclination: 98.10 deg. Period: 98.00 min. COSPAR: 2004-049D. USAF Sat Cat: 28495.

• Essaim 3 Nation: France. Mass: 120 kg (260 lb). Class: ELINT. Spacecraft: Myriade. Agency: DGA. Manufacturer: EADS Astrium. Perigee: 654 km (406 mi). Apogee: 667 km (414 mi). Inclination: 98.10 deg. Period: 98.00 min. COSPAR: 2004-049E. USAF Sat Cat: 28496.

• Essaim 4 Nation: France. Mass: 120 kg (260 lb). Class: ELINT. Spacecraft: Myriade. Agency: DGA. Manufacturer: EADS Astrium. Perigee: 651 km (404 mi). Apogee: 670 km (410 mi). Inclination: 98.10 deg. Period: 98.00 min. COSPAR: 2004-049F. USAF Sat Cat: 28497.

• Parasol Nation: France. Mass: 125 kg (275 lb). Class: Earth. Type: Aeronomy. Spacecraft: Myriade. Agency: CNES. Manufacturer: EADS Astrium. Perigee: 659 km (409 mi). Apogee: 673 km (418 mi). Inclination: 98.08 deg. Period: 97.91 min. COSPAR: 2004-049G. USAF Sat Cat: 28498. Parasol carried a wide-field imaging radiometer/polarimeter called POLDER (Polarization and Directionality of the Earth’s Reflectances), designed in partnership with the LOA atmospheric optics laboratory in Lille (CNRS-USTL). POLDER was designed to improve the knowledge of the radiative and microphysical properties of clouds and aerosols by measuring the directionality and polarization of light reflected by the Earth-atmosphere system.

• Ipstar 1 Nation: Thailand. Payload: Thaicom 4, LS-1300SX. Mass: 6,486 kg (14,299 lb). Class: Communications. Spacecraft: FS-1300. Agency: Shin Satellite. Manufacturer: Space Systems/Loral. Perigee: 35,777 km (22,230 mi). Apogee: 35,797 km (22,243 mi). Inclination: 0.00 deg. Period: 1,436.10 min. COSPAR: 2005-028A. USAF Sat Cat: 28786. Ariane 5GS version maiden flight. Launch delayed from July 8 and 11, 2005. Heaviest geosynchronous transfer orbit payload to date. As of 2007 Mar 11 located at 119.46E drifting at 0.009W degrees per day.

• Galaxy 15 Nation: USA. Program: Galaxy. Mass: 2,033 kg (4,481 lb). Class: Communications. Spacecraft: Star bus. Agency: PanAmSat. Manufacturer: Orbital Sciences. Perigee: 35,776 km (22,230 mi). Apogee: 35,796 km (22,242 mi). Inclination: 0.10 deg. Period: 1,436.10 min. COSPAR: 2005-041A. USAF Sat Cat: 28884. Slated to provide satellite television services to the United States market. As of 2007 Mar 10 located at 132.99W drifting at 0.009W degrees per day.

• Syracuse 3A Nation: France. Payload: Spacebus 4000B3. Mass: 3,725 kg (8,212 lb). Class: Communications. Type: Military. Spacecraft: Spacebus 4000. Agency: DGA. Manufacturer: Alcatel Alenia Space. Perigee: 35,771 km (22,227 mi). Apogee: 35,803 km (22,246 mi). Inclination: 0.00 deg. Period: 1,436.10 min. COSPAR: 2005-041B. USAF Sat Cat: 28885. Syracuse 3A French military communications satellite. Launch delayed from mid-February, March 15, April 14, May 31, 2005. As of 2007 Mar 10 located at 47.00E drifting at 0.010E degrees per day.

• Insat 4A Nation: India. Program: Insat. Mass: 3,081 kg (6,792 lb). Class: Communications. Spacecraft: Insat 3. Agency: ISRO. Manufacturer: ISRO. Perigee: 35,775 km (22,229 mi). Apogee: 35,798 km (22,243 mi). Inclination: 0.00 deg. Period: 1,436.10 min. COSPAR: 2005-049A. USAF Sat Cat: 28911. Delayed from late July 2005. Launch delayed from August 23, October, November 14 and 30, December 8, 16 and 20. Dry mass 1385 kg. The satellite was equipped with Ku-band and C-band transponders and would join other Insats in providing telecommunications and television services to the Indian subcontinent. After three engine burns the satellite reached geostationary altitude over the Indian Ocean at 04:30 GMT on 26 December, then deployed its solar arrays. As of 2007 Mar 11 located at 83.00E drifting at 0.006W degrees per day.

• MSG 2 Nation: Europe. Mass: 2,034 kg (4,484 lb). Class: Earth. Type: Weather. Spacecraft: MSG. Agency: Eumetsat. Manufacturer: Alcatel Alenia Space. Perigee: 35,779 km (22,231 mi). Apogee: 35,793 km (22,240 mi). Inclination: 1.50 deg. Period: 1,436.10 min. COSPAR: 2005-049B. USAF Sat Cat: 28912. Delayed from mid-February, March 15, June 2005. Meteosat Second Generation spin-stabilized weather satellite. As of 2007 Mar 10 located at 0.11W drifting at 0.024W degrees per day.

• Optus D-2 Nation: Australia. Class: Communications. Spacecraft: Star bus. Agency: Optus. Manufacturer: Orbital. Perigee: 35,862 km (22,283 mi). Apogee: 35,889 km (22,300 mi). Inclination: 0.00 deg. Period: 1,440.70 min. COSPAR: 2007-044A. USAF Sat Cat: 32252. Ku-band satellite designed to deliver television, internet, communications, and data services to Australia and New Zealand. After deployment of the two satellites, the EPS third stage made a brief burn at 23:28 GMT to make the first in-flight test the Aestus engine's restart capability. This was to be used in 2008 in the first launch of the ATV ISS resupply spacecraft.

• Intelsat IS-11 Nation: USA. Program: Intelsat. Class: Communications. Spacecraft: Star bus. Agency: Intelsat. Manufacturer: Orbital. Perigee: 35,778 km (22,231 mi). Apogee: 35,797 km (22,243 mi). Inclination: 0.10 deg. Period: 1,436.10 min. COSPAR: 2007-044B. USAF Sat Cat: 32253. C and Ku-band satellite designed to provide Atlantic region communications services.

• McDowell, Jonathan, Jonathan's Space Home Page, Harvard University, 1997-present. Jonathan McDowell's complete on-line listing of all objects orbited and over 20,000 rocket launches Accessed at: http://www.planet4589.org/jsr.html.

• Isakowitz, Steven J,, International Reference to Space Launch Systems Second Edition, AIAA, Washington DC, 1991 (succeeded by 2000 edition). ISBN: 1563473534. Superseded by the later editions. More at amazon.com...

• Wilson, Andrew, editor,, Jane's/Interavia Space Directory, Jane's Information Group, Coulsdon, Surrey, 1992 et al. ISBN: 0710618107. The most comprehensive source of information for current space projects. Too expensive for human beings and most libraries. More at amazon.com...