Posted: Thu, Sep 20, 2007, 6:54 AM ET (1054 GMT)
Arianespace has won a contract to launch a satellite for Japanese operator JSAT that will replace one lost in a launch failure earlier this month. Arianespace will launch the JCSAT-12 spacecraft on an Ariane 5 in mid-2009, the companies announced Wednesday. JCSAT-12 is identical to JCSAT-11, a Lockheed Martin-built spacecraft that was destroyed in a Proton launch failure on September 5. The investigation into that launch failure is ongoing; International Launch Services announced Wednesday the formation its own failure review oversight board that will review the results of the separate Russian investigation into the accident.

Related Links:

•  Space News article (subscription required)
•  Arianespace press release
•  ILS press release