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Flight 161
April 25: A new Ariane 5 takes shape at the Spaceport

The launch campaign for Arianespace's next mission began today as the
Ariane 5 for Flight 161 started its build-up process in the
Spaceport's integration building.

Major elements for the Ariane arrived in French Guiana yesterday
aboard the MN Colibri - one of two sea-going transport ships operated
for Arianespace. The launcher elements were then transferred by road
to the Spaceport, allowing the integration process to begin this
morning. 

Flight 161 will be another dual-satellite mission for Ariane 5,
carrying the Optus C1 spacecraft for Australia's Optus, and BSAT-2c
for the Broadcasting Satellite System Corporation (B-SAT) of Japan.

The large container with Ariane 5's cryogenic main stage was unloaded
from the MN Colibri, which is docked at the Pariacabo port in Kourou.
The MN Colibri carried the main elements of Flight 161's launch
vehicle from Europe to French Guiana. Liftoff of Flight 161 with its
dual satellite payload is scheduled for early June.

Ariane 5's SYLDA 5 multiple payload deployment system left the MN
Colibri on its way to the Spaceport during the unloading process that
took place yesterday. Integration of SYLDA 5 with its two satellite
payloads will be part of the final steps in Flight 161's launch
campaign. 

The cryogenic core central stage was rotated to a vertical position
in preparation for its positioning over the mobile launch table
inside the Spaceport's Ariane 5 launcher integration building. The
central stage will be mated with Ariane 5's two solid booster stages,
followed by the installation of the vehicle equipment bay and the EPS
upper stage. Once these steps are completed, the launcher is to be
moved to the final assembly building, where the mission's two
satellite payloads will be installed atop the vehicle.

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