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JK1QBA > SAT 11.06.96 20:59l 46 Lines 2181 Bytes #999 (0) @ AMSAT
BID : 11959_JK1QBA
Read: GUEST DK3EL
Subj: ARIANE 501 FLIGHT FAILS
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JK1QBA
Sent: 960607/0043Z @:JK1QBA.14.JNET1.JPN.AS #:11959 [JBNET_Gate] DJL2.62a Z:140
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,
destroyd 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
satellites and JAS-1 (Fuji OSCAR-20), 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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