Astra 1N, helped by BILD, ready for launch
August 4, 2011
By Chris Forrester
German popular newspaper BILD, published by Axel Springer, is taking a key position on the surface of the giant Arianespace rocket that will carry Luxembourg’s Astra 1N and Japan’s BSAT-3c into orbit on the night of August 5-6.
BILD has been running reader competitions and the reward, other than a visit to the launch site for winners, was to see the newspaper’s logo fixed to the rocket.
The two satellites passed their pre-flight tests on August 3, and are now ready for launch. GMT/UTC launch timings are 21.53-23.08 on Aug 5th.
For Arianespace, it will be its fourth launch of the year from Kourou in French Guiana. The launch will be carried live on the Internet (http://www.videocorner.tv/index.htm ).