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AMSAT-DL Executive Vice President Peter Guelzow, DB2OS, has informed AMSAT News Service that an official launch date has now been assigned to Ariane Flight 507 and the launch of Phase 3D. "Arianespace and AMSAT-DL are pleased to announce that the official date of launch for Ariane Flight 507, on which P3D will fly, has been brought forward to October 31, 2000," said DB2OS, adding, "this is the start of the launch window and is the first date at which the launch could take place."
Currently, the RUDAK team, the RF team and members of the electronics team from AMSAT-NA have returned home after completing their work. The electronics team members from Europe are preparing to leave as this aspect of the launch preparation work is also complete. Five of the six bays around the satellite have had their covers installed for the final time and the sixth bay has been prepared for loading of the satellite fuel. That task should be completed shortly.
The thermal blanket additions have also been completed. Final tests have been made on several detectors (such as the sun sensor) and Peter reports "all is well in this area." At this time the solar cells are being mounted on the satellite and will be connected to the battery chargers.
Guelzow told ANS that satellite operators planning to use Phase 3D after launch are reminded that it could be a few months after launch before the bird is ready for standard operation. Several things will determine this time frame, including orbit parameters (such as the work that will be needed to nudge P3D into its final elliptical orbit). DB2OS added "that satellite operators worldwide can rest assured that every effort will be made to initiate operations at the first possible opportunity consistent with flight operations."
The launch team has established an Internet web site that includes photographs of the team preparing the satellite. See http://www.amsat-dl.org/launch/
Stay tuned to ANS for additional bulletins from AMSAT, the official source for information on the Phase 3D Launch.
[ANS thanks AMSAT-DL, AMSAT-OH and AMSAT-NA for this information]
Please send any amateur satellite news or reports to the ANS Editors at ans-editor@amsat.org, or to ANS Editor Dan James, NN0DJ, at nn0dj@amsat.org.
This AMSAT News Service special bulletin was edited by AMSAT News Service editor Dan James, NN0DJ.
