Ariane Flight VA236

with SGDC and KOREASAT-7

Relive this launch

More about this launch

Press release: Flight VA236: Arianespace logs 78th successful Ariane 5 launch in a row, orbits telecom satellites for Brazil and South Korea

Payload(s): SGDC, KOREASAT-7

Launch vehicle: Ariane 5 ECA

Status: Success

Customer(s): VISIONA Tecnologia Espacial S.A., ktsat

Prime contractor(s): VISIONA Tecnologia Espacial, Thales Alenia Space

Launch site: Spaceport, French Guiana (Guiana Space Center)

Orbit: Geostationary transfer orbit (GTO)

For its fourth launch of the year, and the second Ariane 5 mission in 2017 from the Guiana Space Center in French Guiana, Arianespace will orbit two satellites: SGDC for VISIONA Tecnologia Espacial S.A. on behalf of the Brazilian operator Telebras S.A., and KOREASAT-7 for ktsat of South Korea.

SGDC and KOREASAT-7 are the 555th and 556th satellites to be launched by Arianespace.

This will be the 287th mission by the Arianespace family of launchers, and the seventh all-Thales Alenia Space mission, as both satellites were built by this manufacturer.

Between 4:31 p.m. and 7:19 p.m.: Washington D.C.

Between 5:31 p.m. and 8:19 p.m.: Kourou, French Guiana

Between 10:31 p.m. and 1:19 a.m. (May 4/5): Paris, France

Between 20:31 and 23:19: UTC

Payloads

SGDC

SGDC (Geostationary Satellite for Communications and Defense) is the first satellite for the operator Telebras S.A. to be launched by Arianespace, performed within the scope of a contract with SGDC prime contractor VISIONA Tecnologia Espacial S.A.

This Brazilian government program has three main objectives:

Reduce Brazil’s digital divide by providing high-quality Internet services to 100% of the country territory as part of the National Broadband Plan
Provide sovereign and secure means for the Brazilian Government and Defense strategic communications
Acquire critical technologies for the Brazilian space industry, enabling the industry to take increasingly important roles in the future Brazilian space programs.

Positioned at 75° West, with its 57 Ka-band beams and 5 X-band channels, the SGDC is a multi-spot beam HTS satellite able to delivering more than 57 Gbps over the Brazilian territory.

The SGDC will be operated and controlled by Telebras S.A., a Brazilian telecommunication company controlled by the Ministry of Science, Technology, Innovation and Communication; and the Defense Ministry.

As SGDC prime contractor, VISIONA Tecnologia Espacial S.A. is responsible for program management, overall system integration and end-to-end communication. SGDC was manufactured by Thales Alenia Space in Cannes, France using the reliable Spacebus 4000C4 platform.

KOREASAT-7

KOREASAT-7 is the third KOREASAT satellite to be launched by Arianespace for ktsat, following KOREASAT-3 and KOREASAT-6, launched in September 1999 and December 2010, respectively.

ktsat, a wholly-owned subsidiary of KT Corp. – the largest telecom/media service provider in South Korea – is the country’s sole satellite service provider. Since the establishment of the Kumsan Satellite Center (Teleport) in 1970, ktsat has been the national leader in telecommunications and broadcasting services. It currently operates three satellites.

KOREASAT-7 will provide a full range of video and data applications, including Internet access, direct-to-home broadcasting (DTH), government communications and connectivity for VSAT (Very Small Aperture Terminal) networks.

Positioned at 116° East, KOREASAT-7 is designed to provide higher throughput and extended coverage over Korea, the Philippines, the Indochinese Peninsula, India and Indonesia. Its added Ka-band capacity, with steerable beams, will enable it to meet increased demand.

KOREASAT-7 was built by Thales Alenia Space in Toulouse and Cannes, France, using a Spacebus 4000B2 platform.

events

Start of final countdown
Check of electrical systems
Check of electrical systems
Chilldown of Vulcain main stage engine
show the countdown
Start of filling of ESC-A with liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen
Check of connections between launcher and the telemetry, tracking and command systems
“All systems go” report, allowing start of synchronized sequence
Tanks pressurized for flight
Switch to onboard power mode
Opening command for the cryogenic arms
Onboard systems take over
Liftoff

00:00
show the countdown
End of vertical climb, beginning of pitch motion
Beginning of roll maneuver
EAP separation
Fairing jettisoned
Acquisition by Natal tracking station
End of EPC thrust phase
EPC separation
Ignition of ESC-A stage
Acquisition by Ascension tracking station
Data acquisition by Libreville tracking station
Acquisition by Malindi tracking station
Injection
SGDC satellite separation
SYLDA separation
KOREASAT-7 satellite separation
End of the Arianespace mission