Intelsat New Dawn "Cocooned" and Ready to Meet Ariane 5 Rocket

Today, the Intelsat New Dawn satellite was readied for transport from the Payload Processing Facility (PPF). The satellite is loaded onto the transportation container, which is comprised of two half shells, shown here with the satellite.

This "cocoon" will protect the satellite from rain, humidity, and other contamination. Arianespace will transport the cocoon to the Final Assembly Building tonight. This building is like a smaller version of the Space Shuttle Vertical Assembly Building at Cape Canaveral, Florida. Starting on Monday, we'll open up the container and take the SC out. Then, a giant crane will lift Intelsat New Dawn and place it on top of the Ariane 5 launcher.

In parallel activities in another building, our co-passenger, Yahsat is being encapsulated today. The fully-fueled Yahsat satellite sits on top of a protective "inner fairing" called a Système de Lancement Double Ariane (SYLDA). The Ariane fairing (the one you see on launch day with the logo) is then lowered over the whole ensemble.

Once Intelsat New Dawn is installed on the Ariane 5 launcher on Monday, the fairing, Yahsat satellite, and SYLDA will be raised to the top of the Ariane 5 launcher and lowered over Intelsat New Dawn.


Contributor: Brian Sing, Satellite Mission Director, Intelsat New Dawn