Friday 31 July 2020, Ariane 5 will be sent aloft from the Guiana Space Centre (CSG), Europe’s spaceport in Kourou, to orbit two telecommunications satellites and a life extension vehicle: Galaxy 30 for Intelsat and MEV-2 (Mission Extension Vehicle-2) for SpaceLogistics LLC, and BSAT-4b designed and built for Broadcasting Satellite System Corporation. The launch will mark Ariane 5’s 109th flight, its third mission in 2020 and the third this year from the CSG. It will also be the 253rd flight in the Ariane series.

With a launch mass of 3,298 kilograms, Galaxy 30 (G-30) is the first replacement satellite in Intelsat’s North American Galaxy fleet refresh. It will provide high-performance broadcast distribution capabilities, including ultra-high definition (UHD) and over-the-top (OTT), while also supporting broadband, mobility and enterprise network solutions. Built by Northrop Grumman for Intelsat, its expected lifetime is 15 years.

With a launch mass of 2,875 kilograms, MEV-2 is a satellite life extension vehicle that will dock first to Intelsat 10-02 (IS-10-02). Once docked, it will control the satellite’s orbit using its own thrusters. After this first mission, MEV-2 will undock and be available for another customer. Built by Northrop Grumman for SpaceLogistics LLC, its expected lifetime is 15 years.

With a launch mass of 3,530 kilograms, BSAT-4b will provide direct-to-home (DTH) television to ensure exceptional ultra-high definition (UHD) video distribution over the Japanese archipelago, like its twin BSAT-4a. Built by Maxar Technologies for Broadcasting Satellite System Corporation (B-SAT), its expected lifetime is 15 years.