Name: Atlantic Bird 2 — Ariane 44P
Start: 2001-09-25T23:21:00Z
End: 2001-09-25T23:21:00Z
Location: Ariane Launch Area 2

Question 1

What rocket is launching Atlantic Bird 2?

Accepted Answer

Atlantic Bird 2 is launching on the Ariane 44P.

Question 2

Who is launching Atlantic Bird 2?

Accepted Answer

Atlantic Bird 2 is being launched by Arianespace, a commercial launch provider founded in 1980.

Question 3

Where is Atlantic Bird 2 launching from?

Accepted Answer

Atlantic Bird 2 is launching from Ariane Launch Area 2 at Guiana Space Centre, French Guiana.

Question 4

What orbit is Atlantic Bird 2 heading to?

Accepted Answer

Atlantic Bird 2 is heading to Geosynchronous Orbit (GSO).

Question 5

Is the Ariane 44P reusable?

Accepted Answer

No — the Ariane 44P is an expendable launch vehicle.

Question 6

How many times has the Ariane 44P flown?

Accepted Answer

The Ariane 44P has launched 15 times to date, with 15 successful flights.

Question 7

What is the Atlantic Bird 2 mission?

Accepted Answer

Alcatel Space has built Atlantic Bird 2 (26 channels in Ku Band for this Spacebus 3000 B2 Satellite) for Eutelsat. By meeting a rapid delivery schedule (16 month on ground delivery), which is made possible by an advanced production policy for the Spacebus-3000B2 platform, Alcatel Space has enabled Eutelsat to meet crucial back-up service requirements while expanding digital and multimedia services. In addition to the on-ground delivery of Atlantic Bird 2, Alcatel Space's prime contract with Eutelsat provides for the satellite's launch campaign, as well support for its operations and mission analysis.

Question 8

Where is the Guiana Space Centre?

Accepted Answer

The Guiana Space Centre (Centre Spatial Guyanais) is Europe's spaceport, near Kourou in French Guiana on the north-east coast of South America. It has been operational since 1968.

Question 9

Who operates the Guiana Space Centre?

Accepted Answer

France's space agency CNES runs the site, the European Space Agency (ESA) owns the launch infrastructure, and Arianespace operates the launch services.

Question 10

Which rockets launch from Kourou?

Accepted Answer

Current launches fly Ariane 6 from the ELA-4 complex and the lighter Vega-C from its dedicated pad. The James Webb Space Telescope launched from here on an Ariane 5 in 2021.

Question 11

Why launch from French Guiana?

Accepted Answer

Sitting just 5° north of the equator, the spaceport gives rockets a strong eastward boost from Earth's rotation and a clear path out over the Atlantic — a major advantage for reaching the geostationary orbits many large satellites need.

Atlantic Bird 2

Overview

Mission details

Launch Window

Ariane Launch Area 2

Guiana Space Centre, French Guiana

Frequently asked questions