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G0RTX > SAT 08.06.96 07:25l 52 Lines 2302 Bytes #999 (0) @ WW
BID : 56479_HB9IAP
Read: GUEST DK3EL
Subj: CP G0RTX: ARIANE 501 FAILS! PHASE-3 SAFE...
Path: DB0AAB<DB0KCP<HB9OS<HB9PD<HB9IAP
Sent: 960608/0252Z @:HB9IAP.SROM.CHE.EU #:56479 [GENEVE] FBB5.15c $:56479_HB9IA
From: G0RTX@HB9IAP.SROM.CHE.EU
To : SAT@WW
Original from G0RTX to INFO@FRA
SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-156.01
ARIANE 501 FLIGHT FAILS
HR AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 156.01 FROM AMSAT HQ
SILVER SPRING, MD June 4, 1996
TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS BT
BID: $ANS-156.01
Several news accounts have reported that the first flight test of
the Ariane 5 launch vehicle was destroyed by groundbased command
40 seconds into the flight at an altitude of about 12,000 feet
(4,000 meters) as it appeared that the rocket was veering off
course. The launch was initiated at 1233 Universal Time June 4,
from the European Space Agency's Kourou launch facility in French
Guiana, South America. Ariane 501 carried a group of four
scientific satellites known as "Cluster" which were, of course,
destroyed as well. No amateur radio satellites were aboard.
The AMSAT Phase 3D spacecraft currently under construction, is
manifested on the second flight test of the Ariane 5 series
(Ariane 502) which, according to ESA's latest schedule, is to be
launched in October of this year. AMSAT officials believe that
it is too early to know what the effect of the Ariane 501 failure
will have on the 502 schedule, or on the possible Phase 3D launch
date, or the vehicle on which it will ride; but that a schedule
stretchout beyond the re-entry of AO-13 cannot be ruled out.
AMSAT-DL President Karl Meinzer DJ4ZC and AMSAT-NA President Bill
Tynan W3XO, expressed their sadness on hearing the news. In a
joint statement they said, "We, at AMSAT, have enjoyed a mutually
beneficial relationship with ESA for over fifteen years, and we
are, quite naturally, distressed to hear of this unfortunate
occurance". They further noted that except, for the RS and
Fuji satellites, all successful amateur satellite launches since
the early 1980s have been on Ariane vehicles. On behalf of
the amateur radio satellite community, they extend sincere
condolences to ESA, Arianespace, CNES and the Cluster Project.
Both expressed confidence, however, that the ESA team will overcome
this setback and develop a most successful launch vehicle.
DJ4ZC and W3XO said that they are together in anticipating a
successful launch of Phase 3D on an forthcoming Ariane mission.
Keep tuned to ANS for further information as it becomes
available.
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