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A commercial launch industry milestone was reached in French Guiana today as Arianespace's final Ariane 4 was completed at the Spaceport. The Intelsat 907 satellite was integrated atop its Ariane 4 in the launch zone, marking the final major step in the vehicle's build-up. Liftoff of Flight 159 is on schedule for the early morning hours of February 12. Intelsat 907 moves out of the satellite preparation building yesterday evening for its trip to the ELA-2 launch zone. The 4,685-kg. satellite is installed inside the protective payload fairing. Intelsat 907 will be the sixth Intelsat IX-series satellite orbited by Arianespace. Intelsat 907 heads down one of the Spaceport's interior roads on its way to the ELA-2 launch zone. Visible in the background (at right) is the mobile service gantry, where the satellite will be installed atop its Ariane 4. The Flight 159 payload is hoisted up the service gantry, which houses the nearly-complete Ariane 4. Once at the gantry's upper level, Intelsat 907 will be moved through the open passageway and readied for integration on Ariane 4. Intelsat 907 is positioned atop its launcher inside the service gantry today, completing the build-up process for this final Ariane 4. Flight 157 will mark the 116th mission of an Ariane 4 since the launcher family entered service in 1988. Related Links Arianespace SpaceDaily Search SpaceDaily Subscribe To SpaceDaily Express 
Europe Launches Debate On A Space Policy For The Union
Paris - Jan 22, 2003Today in Brussels, European Research Commissioner, Philippe Busquin, introduced the Green Paper on EU Space Policy. The Paper, prepared in co-operation with the European Space Agency (ESA), looks into Europe's assets and weaknesses in this sector. |
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