Arianespace Sets New Launch Date for Intelsat 37e

The Intelsat 37e satellite. Photo: Intelsat.

Arianespace has set a new launch date for the Intelsat 37e and BSAT 4a satellites after an anomaly scrubbed the first launch attempt back on Sept 5. Arianespace will now launch the satellites on Friday, Sept. 29, as early as 5:47 p.m. EST.

During the original synchronized sequence of the final countdown, Arianespace observed an anomaly with electrical equipment in one of the Ariane 5 launcher’s two solid-propellant boosters. The launch provider has since identified and replaced the electrical equipment and undertook all of the related checks verifying Ariane 5 for launch again.

This mission will orbit Intelsat 37e, and BSAT 4a for the manufacturer Space Systems Loral (SSL) as part of a turnkey contract with Japanese operator Broadcasting Satellite System Corporation (B-SAT). Intelsat 37e is the newest satellite to join Intelsat’s Epic High Throughput Satellite (HTS) constellation, while BSAT 4a will carry 24 Ku-band transponders to expand the availability of High Definition (HD) and 4k/8k Ultra-HD TV in Japan.