The initial passenger for Arianespace's next Ariane 5 dual-payload launch is now in French Guiana following a trans-Atlantic delivery flight as preparations continue for this fourth heavy-lift mission of 2011, which is planned in early July from the Spaceport.

Arriving at Cayenne's Rochambeau International Airport aboard an Antonov An-124 cargo aircraft, ASTRA 1N completed its airlift from the Toulouse, France facilities of EADS Astrium - which designed and manufactured this communications relay platform for satellite operator SES ASTRA.

ASTRA 1N will deliver direct-to-home broadcast services - including digital and high definition television - with pan-European coverage, and it is planned to primarily serve the German, French and Spanish markets.

The satellite is based on Astrium's Eurostar E3000 platform, with a liftoff mass of 5,350 kg. and designed mission life of 15 years. Equipped with 62 Ku-band transponders, ASTRA 1N initially will provide interim capacity from an orbital position of 28.2 deg. East following its deployment by Ariane 5. It subsequently will be moved to SES ASTRA's prime location at 19.2 deg. East for primary and backup services.

The satellite will be orbited along with its co-passenger, BSAT 3c/JCSAT 110R, on another of Ariane 5's trademark dual-payload missions. It follows Arianespace's latest heavy-lift success on May 20, which lofted the ST-2 and GSAT-8 spacecraft from Europe's Spaceport in French Guiana.