Arianespace sets new date for Intelsat and BSAT craft

Arianespace’s delayed launch of the Intelsat 37e and BSAT-4a satellites has been rescheduled for September 29.

The lofting of the two satellites had originally been scheduled for September 5 but was cancelled at the last moment after an anomaly was observed with an electrical equipment in one of the Ariane 5 launcher’s two solid-propellants boosters

After identifying and replacing the electrical equipment, and having undertaken all the related checks, Arianespace has now decided to resume the operations leading to the final countdown for Flight VA239.

Intelsat 37e, the fifth satellite in Intelsat’s next-generation Epic NG fleet, was set to be orbited at the 342° East slot, replacing Intelsat 901, which is to be repositioned. The craft will provide C, Ku- and Ka-band capacity principally for broadband, mobility and government customers.

The fourth EpicNG high throughput satellite, Intelsat 35e, was launched after two false starts at the beginning of July from Cape Canaveral, Florida.

Japan’s BSAT-4a is scheduled to orbit at the 110° East slot to provide direct broadcasting, including 4K and 8K Ultra HD content.