Posted: Tue, Nov 27, 2001, 9:42 AM ET (1442 GMT)
An Ariane 4 booster successfully launched a new direct television broadcasting satellite Monday evening. The Ariane 44LP lifted off from Kourou, French Guiana at 7:35 pm EST Monday (0035 GMT Tuesday) on Flight 146 and placed into geosynchronous transfer orbit the DIRECTV-4S spacecraft. DIRECTV-4S, a Boeing 601HP, will be used to provide local television programming in 41 markets in the United States from its position at 101 degrees west longitude. The launch was the 65th consecutive successful launch for the Ariane 4; only nine more Ariane 4 launches are planned before the booster is retired. The launch was also the eighth and last launch of the year for Arianespace. The next Arianespace launch, of the Indian Insat 3C spacecraft on an Ariane 4, is scheduled for January 16. The Ariane 5 is also scheduled to return to flight with the launch of ESA's Envisat remote sensing spacecraft in early 2002.

Related Links:

•  Spaceflight Now article
•  SPACE.com article