Astra 2D & GE-8, LDREX
Ariane 5 G
Arianespace
Mission
Astra 2D & GE-8, LDREX
- Type: Dedicated Rideshare
- Orbit: Geostationary Transfer Orbit
Astra 2D is one of the Astra communications satellite owned and operated by SES. Providing digital television and radio broadcast service to the UK and Republic of Island. GE-8 is also a commercial communications satellite operated by GE American, covering the USA, Canada and Caribbean. LDREX was an engineering test to validate the antenna on the ETS-8.
Location
Ariane Launch Area 3
Guiana Space Centre, French Guiana
Ariane Launch Area 3 has witnessed the launch of 118 rockets, including 118 orbital launch attempts, while Guiana Space Centre, French Guiana, has been the site for 320 rocket launches.
Rocket
ArianeGroup Ariane 5 G
The original version is dubbed Ariane 5 G (Generic) and had a launch mass of 737 tonnes. Its payload capability to geostationary transfer orbit (GTO) was 6,900 kg (15,200 lb) for a single satellite or 6,100 kg (13,400 lb) for dual launches. It flew 17 times with one failure and two partial failures.
Agency
Arianespace
Arianespace SA is a multinational company founded in 1980 as the world’s first commercial launch service provider. It undertakes the production, operation, and marketing of the Ariane programme. Their vehicles launch exclusively from French Guiana in South America.