Question 1

What rocket is launching Alphasat I-XL (Inmarsat-XL) & INSAT-3D?

Accepted Answer

Alphasat I-XL (Inmarsat-XL) & INSAT-3D is launching on the Ariane 5 ECA.

Question 2

Who is launching Alphasat I-XL (Inmarsat-XL) & INSAT-3D?

Accepted Answer

Alphasat I-XL (Inmarsat-XL) & INSAT-3D is being launched by Arianespace, a commercial launch provider founded in 1980.

Question 3

Where is Alphasat I-XL (Inmarsat-XL) & INSAT-3D launching from?

Accepted Answer

Alphasat I-XL (Inmarsat-XL) & INSAT-3D is launching from Ariane Launch Area 3 at Guiana Space Centre, French Guiana.

Question 4

What orbit is Alphasat I-XL (Inmarsat-XL) & INSAT-3D heading to?

Accepted Answer

Alphasat I-XL (Inmarsat-XL) & INSAT-3D is heading to Geostationary Transfer Orbit (GTO).

Question 5

Is the Ariane 5 ECA reusable?

Accepted Answer

No — the Ariane 5 ECA is an expendable launch vehicle.

Question 6

How many times has the Ariane 5 ECA flown?

Accepted Answer

The Ariane 5 ECA has launched 73 times to date, with 71 successful flights.

Question 7

What is the Alphasat I-XL (Inmarsat-XL) & INSAT-3D mission?

Accepted Answer

Alphasat I-XL (Inmarsat-XL) augments broadband service and supports a new generation of mobile technologies to enable communications across Europe, Asia, Africa and the MiddleEast. INSAT-3D is a meteorological, data relay and satellite aided search and rescue satellite developed by ISRO, it operates at 82 degrees East.

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.

Alphasat I-XL (Inmarsat-XL) & INSAT-3D

Overview

Mission details

Launch Window

Ariane Launch Area 3

Guiana Space Centre, French Guiana

Frequently asked questions