Arianespace’s second Ariane 5 for launch in 2013 completes its final assembly with AT

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Arianespace’s second Ariane 5 for launch in 2013 completes its final assembly with ATV Albert Einstein
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In this series of photos, final assembly is completed for Flight VA213 as logos are applied to the Ariane 5’s payload fairing in the Spaceport’s Final Assembly Building (left), followed by the fairing’s lowering over ATV Albert Einstein (center and right).


May 28, 2013 – Ariane Flight VA213

The Ariane 5 that will carry Europe’s fourth Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV) is now complete at the Spaceport – marking a key milestone as final preparations continue for Arianespace’s planned June 5 mission from French Guiana.

Integration for the second Ariane 5 launcher in 2013 was finished as the latest ATV – named after German-born physicist Albert Einstein – was encapsulated inside the 17-meter tall payload fairing at the Spaceport’s Final Assembly Building. This component is designed to protect spacecraft passengers during the heavy-lift launcher’s initial ascent through the atmosphere.

Utilizing the Ariane 5 ES version, this mission has a precise scheduled liftoff time June 5 at 6:52:13 p.m. local time in French Guiana from the Spaceport’s ELA-3 launch complex. The heavy-lift workhorse will inject its ATV payload into a circular orbit at an altitude of 260 km., inclined 51.6 degrees for the spacecraft’s International Space Station (ISS) servicing mission.

Following the release from its Ariane 5 vehicle at 1 hour, 3 minutes and 53 seconds after liftoff, ATV Albert Einstein will rendezvous with the International Space Station for up to six months docked at the orbital facility for its resupply duties, as well as re-boosting the ISS to its nominal orbit when necessary.

Designated Flight VA213 in Arianespace’s numbering system, this mission represents the 213th launch of an Ariane family vehicle and will be the 69th flight of the heavy-lift Ariane 5. With a mass of more than 20 tons, ATV Albert Einstein will be the heaviest payload ever lofted by an Ariane 5.

Arianespace launched three other ATVs with flights performed in March 2008, February 2011 and March 2012. The European Space Agency oversees the ATV program, with an Astrium-led industry consortium responsible for producing the resupply spacecraft.
 
ARIANESPACE FLIGHT VA213 / ATV-4 "Albert Einstein"

THE LAUNCH READINESS REVIEW (RAL) took place in Kourou on Monday, June 3, 2013 and authorized count-down operations for the ATV-4 “Albert Einstein” launch.
For its second Ariane 5 mission of the year, Arianespace will launch the fourth Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV), dubbed “Albert Einstein”, for the European Space Agency (ESA). Like the first three ATV launched in March 2008, February 2011 and March 2012, the ATV 4 will play a vital role in bringing supplies to the International Space Station (ISS).

Weighing more than 20 tons, this will be the heaviest payload ever launched by Ariane 5. An Ariane 5 ES will inject the Albert Einstein ATV into a circular orbit at an altitude of 260 kilometers, inclined 51.6 degrees.
With this launch, Ariane 5 further expands its array of missions, ranging from scientific spacecraft in special orbits to commercial launches into geostationary orbit.

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THE ARIANE 5 ES LAUNCHER LIFT-OFF for this flight is scheduled on June 5, 2013 at a precise instant:


>> Kourou: 06:52 pm on June 5, 2013

>> UTC: 09:52 pm on June 5, 2013

>> Paris: 11:52 pm on June 5, 2013

>> Washington: 05:52 pm on June 5, 2013
 
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