Name: IS-45 — Ariane 64
Start: 2027-03-31T00:00:00Z
End: 2027-03-31T00:00:00Z
Location: Ariane Launch Area 4

Question 1

What rocket is launching IS-45?

Accepted Answer

IS-45 is launching on the Ariane 64.

Question 2

Who is launching IS-45?

Accepted Answer

IS-45 is being launched by Arianespace, a commercial launch provider founded in 1980.

Question 3

Where is IS-45 launching from?

Accepted Answer

IS-45 is launching from Ariane Launch Area 4 at Guiana Space Centre, French Guiana.

Question 4

What orbit is IS-45 heading to?

Accepted Answer

IS-45 is heading to Geostationary Transfer Orbit (GTO).

Question 5

Is the Ariane 64 reusable?

Accepted Answer

No — the Ariane 64 is an expendable launch vehicle.

Question 6

How many times has the Ariane 64 flown?

Accepted Answer

The Ariane 64 has launched 2 times to date, with 2 successful flights.

Question 7

What is the IS-45 mission?

Accepted Answer

Intelsat 45 is a small geostationary communications satellite that will provide Ku-band fixed-satellite services enabling Intelsat to provide specialized and efficient service to Media and Network customers. IS-45 weighs about 1 metric ton at launch and is designed and built by SWISSto12, based on the company’s innovative HummingSat platform. 

HummingSats are just over one cubic meter in volume, one-tenth the size of conventional satellites placed in geostationary orbit. SWISSto12 is developing the satellites in collaboration with the European Space Agency (ESA) through its public-private-partnership program, benefiting from unique and patented 3D printing technologies.

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.

IS-45

Overview

Mission details

Launch Window

Ariane Launch Area 4

Guiana Space Centre, French Guiana

Frequently asked questions