spacetoday.net: Ariane launches two satellites

Posted: Mon, Mar 12, 2007, 8:33 AM ET (1233 GMT)
Ariane 5 ECA launch of Satmex 6 and Thaicom 5 (Arianespace)

An Ariane 5 rocket successfully launched British and Indian communications satellites Sunday evening. The Ariane 5 ECA lifted off from Kourou, French Guiana at 6:03 pm EDT (2203 GMT) Sunday and placed its payload of two communications satellites into geosynchronous transfer orbit about a half-hour later. The Skynet 5A satellite, built by EADS Astrium for the British Ministry of Defence as part of the Paradigm public-private partnership, will be used to provide secure military communications for the British military and NATO. The Insat 4B satellite, built and operated by the Indian space agency ISRO, will be used to provide direct-to-home TV and other communications services for India. The launch, delayed a day because of a problem with ground support equipment, was the first of six Ariane 5 launched planned for this year.