Flight VA218 - Payload integration is completed for Arianespace's Ariane 5 flight on September 11

The heavy-lift Ariane 5 for Arianespace?'s next mission from French Guiana is now complete following integration of its full payload ?stack,? consisting of the MEASAT-3b and Optus 10 commercial telecommunications satellites.

Encapsulated by an ogive-shaped protective fairing, MEASAT-3b was lowered into place yesterday over its Optus 10 co-passenger ? which had been installed atop Ariane 5's cryogenic core stage during earlier activity.

This latest preparation milestone clears the way for final steps that will include functional tests, launch rehearsal and launch vehicle arming ? to be followed by the readiness review and rollout to the Spaceport?s launch zone for a liftoff on September 11.