Arianespace and the European Space Agency (ESA) have opened a new $70 million payload processing building, designated S5, at Kourou which is being used to prepare ESA's 8,100kg (17,850lb) Envisat polar platform for launch.
The 3,380 m2 (36,400ft2) building, operated by French space agency CNES, doubles the payload processing capacity at Kourou. It has three main halls capable of integrating four spacecraft, up to 18m (60ft) tall. Arianespace provided two thirds of the funds for S5 and ESA the rest.
After only three Ariane launches this year, the last in March, the Ariane 44L launch of Intelsat 901 was scheduled for 8 June. The hiatus has been the result of delayed satellite deliveries.
Source: Flight International
