KOUROU: The go-ahead for Arianespace's first Ariane 5, with a 10-ton payload lift capacity, has been given. The lift-off will take place on 11 December between 10:22 p.m. and 11:14 pm GMT. The nod followed the replacement of two external chill-down igniters (AMEF) on the launch table in Kourou, French Guyana.

Arianespace has authorised the resumption of preparations for the liftoff of Flight 157. The tests performed had pinpointed that the sensors did not provide data on the igniters' operation. Two new igniters were validated and they have been integrated on the launch table.

The reconfiguration of the Ariane 5 for Flight 157 has been successfully now completed. The two satellites for this mission, HOT BIRD 7 and STENTOR, remained under the launcher's fairing during these operations. The launcher will be transferred to the launch zone on Tuesday.