Arianespace’s increased-lift “10-ton” Ariane 5 successfully passed a major milestone with its successful full dress rehearsal yesterday, which included an ignition of the launcher’s Vulcain 2 main engine.
The evening rehearsal included several simulated countdowns, one of which proceeded through a planned ignition and momentary startup of the Vulcain 2 engine (see photo series at left, provided by an infrared camera on the launch pad).
Vulcain 2 is an increased thrust version of the Vulcain main engine used on the basic Ariane 5.
Flight 157 is set for liftoff in November, marking the first flight of the “10-ton” Ariane 5 – which will further increase Arianespace’s competitiveness in missions with heavyweight dual satellite payloads.
Improvements to the “10-ton” Ariane 5 include the use of Vulcain 2 and the ESC-A cryogenic upper stage (which is powered by the same HM-7B engine that has provided years of reliable service as the Ariane 4’s third stage propulsion system).
Two satellites will be carried by Flight 157: Eutelsat HOT BIRDTM 7 satellite and the French CNES Stentor telecommunications technology demonstrator.
