Hot Bird 7, Stentor & MFD-A/B

Launch Failure

Liftoff Time (GMT)

22:22:00

Wednesday December 11, 2002

Mission Details

Launch Notes

Maiden flight of Ariane 5ECA. First-stage engine failure resulted in the destruction of the rocket by range safety. Flight V156.

Hot Bird 7

Wiki

Hot Bird 7 was a French communications satellite. Intended for operation by Eutelsat, it was to have provided direct-to-home broadcasting services from geostationary orbit as part of Eutelsat's Hot Bird constellation. Hot Bird 7 was intended to replace the Hot Bird 3 satellite which had been launched in 1997.

Geostationary Transfer Orbit

1 Payload

3,400 kilograms

STENTOR

Wiki

The Stentor (Satellite de Télécommunications pour Expérimenter les Nouvelles Technologies en Orbite) technological satellite is a French experimental programme to validate, in flight, advanced technologies which would be integrated into the next generation of telecommunications spacecraft. This program will bring French competence to the highest level, both for the prime contractors and the equipment manufacturers, and the ultimate is to improve France's competitive position in the export market. It is supported by CNES (French Space Agency), France Telecom (French Telecommunications Operator), and DGA (Ministry of Defence).

Geostationary Transfer Orbit

1 Payload

2,080 kilograms

MFD-A & MFD-B

Wiki

6 Modular Fitting Dummies (MFD) ring-shaped 700 kg modules were primarily designed to adapt the payload mass of the first flight of the new Ariane-5ECA in October 2002 to the new powerful performance. They were manufactured by Kayser-Threde. The set of six 700 kg Modular Fitting Dummies (MFD) had been shipped to Kourou in June 2002. It consists of four MFD 500 and two MFD 325 (the figure indicating the ring's height in mm). The modules can be reduced in mass by 150 kg each by removing trim masses. The concept of modular dummies allows Arianespace to respond to the respective flight configuration of an upcoming launch. The MFDs remain attached to the upper stage or the upper part of the SYLDA-5 adapter.

Geostationary Transfer Orbit

2 Payloads

1,400 kilograms

Rocket

Retired
Ariane 5 ECA

Active 2002 to 2023

European Space Agency logo

Manufacturer

ESA

Price

$200.00 million

Rocket

Diameter: 5.4m

Height: 53m

Payload to Orbit

LEO: 21,000 kg

GTO: 10,500 kg

Liftoff Thrust

15,120 Kilonewtons

Fairing

Diameter: 5.4m

Height: 17m

Stages

2

Strap-ons

2

Launch Site

ELA-3

Guiana Space Centre, French Guiana, France

Fastest Turnaround

24 days 3 hours

Stats

Ariane 5


14th

Mission

4th

Mission of 2002

European Space Agency


144th

Mission

11th

Mission of 2002

2002


58th

Orbital launch attempt