Arianespace announced Tuesday that engineers have begun preparations for the third Ariane 5 ECA heavy-lift mission in 2006. Scheduled for liftoff in August, the Ariane flight will carry France's Syracuse 3B military relay platform, and Japan's JCSAT-10 telecom satellite.
On Monday, engineers raised the rocket's cryogenic main stage inside the Launcher Integration Building, marking the official start for the upcoming dual satellite mission. The stage is the core of Ariane 5's propulsion system, and is powered by an increased-thrust Vulcain 2 main engine.
Ground personall also rolled out both solid rocket boosters for the Ariane 5 on Tuesday from their preparation facility to the Launcher Integration Building, where they will be mated to the cryogenic main stage.
The boosters are mounted on pallets that allow them to be integrated on the mobile launch table. Initial climbout thrust for the Ariane 5 is provided by these boosters, which operate along with the cryogenic main stage.
