anilsk01
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Preparations for Arianespace’s fourth heavy-lift mission of 2012 include rollout of Ariane 5’s two solid propellant boosters (at left), as well as their mating with the core cryogenic stage inside the Launcher Integration Building at Europe’s Spaceport (center). The third Ariane 5 for launch this year was moved out from this integration building on May 30, and is shown during its subsequent transfer to the Final Assembly Building in the photo at right.
June 6, 2012 – Ariane Flight VA208
The fourth Ariane 5 for launch by Arianespace in 2012 is beginning to take shape with the assembly start-up of this heavy-lift vehicle at the Spaceport in French Guiana, which will orbit a dual-passenger payload later in the year.
During activity inside the Spaceport’s Launcher Integration Building this week, the Ariane 5’s core cryogenic stage was removed from its protective shipping container and raised into position over one of two operational mobile launch tables.
This step enabled rollout of the two solid propellant boosters for mating to the core stage. It is to be followed by integration of the cryogenic upper stage and vehicle equipment bay – completing the basic assembly for this Ariane 5 ECA version of Arianespace's workhorse launcher, and clearing the way for a subsequent transfer to the Final Assembly Building for payload integration.
This upcoming flight, which is designated VA208, will mark the 208th launch of an Ariane family vehicle since the maiden liftoff of an Ariane 1 version in 1979.
