Really Rocket Science

Conveniently for the American rocket scientists, Arianespace postponed the Ariane 5 ECA launch from Friday, 4 July 2008, to today. The launch window opens at 21:47 GMT and closes at 22:21. More about the payload:

The Ariane 5 ECA will deliver a payload performance of 8,639 kg. - which includes 7,537 kg. for the mission's ProtoStar I and BADR-6 spacecraft passengers, along with their integration hardware and the SYLDA 5 multiple satellite dispenser system.

ProtoStar I is the first in a fleet of relay platforms that Asian satellite services company ProtoStar will deploy for advanced satellite television services and powerful two-way broadband communications access. It is based on Space Systems/Loral's 1300 spacecraft bus, and will provide K-band/C-band relay capacity over Asia for the needs of both emerging and existing direct-to-home (DTH) operators, as well as other broadband communication requirements in the region.

Arabsat's BADR-6 satellite will open up new video broadcasting and telecommunications services for the entire Middle East and North Africa region, along with a large part of sub-Saharan Africa. Built by EADS Astrium, the Ku/C-band relay platform is designed for a lifetime of about 15 years, and will operate from Arabsat's 26 deg. E geostationary orbital location.

Voir la vidéo ici. Watch the video here, too.