Up, Up and Away! Intelsat New Dawn Attaches to Ariane 5 Launch Rocket

Early this morning, Orbital Sciences Corporation technicians attached the satellite lift sling to Intelsat New Dawn and handed over the crane operations to Arianespace. They lifted the satellite over 100 feet in the air and attached it to the top of the Ariane 5 launcher. Once the satellite was secured onto the adapter, the Orbital technicians powered up the satellite to verify its health. Everything is right on schedule and the satellite is healthy.

In another area of the assembly building, the technicians are working on Yahsat, our co-passenger. Yahsat, which is now inside the Ariane 5 fairing, is being prepped for tomorrow's activity to lower the satellite on top of Intelsat New Dawn. When this picture was taken, they were just getting ready for the final activity, putting on our logo

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