spacetoday.net: Ariane 5 launches two communications satellites

Posted: Sun, Mar 23, 2014, 10:27 AM ET (1427 GMT)
Ariane 5 ECA launch of Astra 5A and Amazonas 4A (CNES/ESA/Arianespace)

An Ariane 5 rocket successfully placed into orbit two communications satellites for European operators on Saturday evening. The Ariane 5 ECA lifted off from Kourou, French Guiana, at 6:04 pm EDT (2204 GMT) Saturday, after weather postponed the launch a day. The rocket placed into geosynchronous transfer orbit the Astra 5A and Amazona 4A satellites. Astra 5A, built by Airbus Defence and Space for SES, weighed 5,724 kilograms at launch. The satellite will provide Ku- and Ka-band communications services, including direct-to-home television, from 31.5 degrees east in GEO. The satellite also carries an L-band transponder to provide navigation services as part of Europe's EGNOS satellite navigation augmentation program. Amazonas 4A, built by Orbital Sciences for Hispasat, weighed 2,938 kilograms at launch. It carries 24 Ku-band transponders to provide communications services across South America, including coverage of the World Cup this summer.