Name: Astra 3B & COMSATBw-2 — Ariane 5 ECA
Start: 2010-05-21T22:01:00Z
End: 2010-05-21T22:01:00Z
Location: Ariane Launch Area 3

Question 1

What rocket is launching Astra 3B & COMSATBw-2?

Accepted Answer

Astra 3B & COMSATBw-2 is launching on the Ariane 5 ECA.

Question 2

Who is launching Astra 3B & COMSATBw-2?

Accepted Answer

Astra 3B & COMSATBw-2 is being launched by Arianespace, a commercial launch provider founded in 1980.

Question 3

Where is Astra 3B & COMSATBw-2 launching from?

Accepted Answer

Astra 3B & COMSATBw-2 is launching from Ariane Launch Area 3 at Guiana Space Centre, French Guiana.

Question 4

What orbit is Astra 3B & COMSATBw-2 heading to?

Accepted Answer

Astra 3B & COMSATBw-2 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 Astra 3B & COMSATBw-2 mission?

Accepted Answer

Astra 3B is one of the Astra satellites operated by SES to provide digital television & radio for direct to home communications for Europe and the Middle East, operating at 23.5 degrees East. COMSATBw 1 is a satellite providing German military communications for voice and fax as well as advanced data, video and multimedia.

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.

Astra 3B & COMSATBw-2

Overview

Mission details

Launch Window

Ariane Launch Area 3

Guiana Space Centre, French Guiana

Frequently asked questions