Ariane 4 launches two military satellites
Posted: Thu, Feb 8, 2001, 12:45 AM ET (0545 GMT)
An Ariane 4 booster successfully launched two European military communications satellites Wednesday night. The Ariane 44L, a version of the Ariane 4 that uses four liquid-propellant strap-on boosters, lifted off from Kourou, French Guiana at 6:05 pm EST (2305 GMT). The launch was delayed by about 37 minutes because of a telemetry problems with one of the booster's payloads, the Skynet 4F British military communications satellite. In addition to Skynet 4F the Ariane launched Sicral, Italy's first military satellite, which will provide communications services for the Italian defense ministry. The launch, the second of the year for Arianespace, was also the first time an Ariane placed two military satellites in orbit on a single mission. The next Ariane flight is scheduled for early March, when an Ariane 5 will launch a European and Japanese communications satellites.
An Ariane 4 booster successfully launched two European military communications satellites Wednesday night. The Ariane 44L, a version of the Ariane 4 that uses four liquid-propellant strap-on boosters, lifted off from Kourou, French Guiana at 6:05 pm EST (2305 GMT). The launch was delayed by about 37 minutes because of a telemetry problems with one of the booster's payloads, the Skynet 4F British military communications satellite. In addition to Skynet 4F the Ariane launched Sicral, Italy's first military satellite, which will provide communications services for the Italian defense ministry. The launch, the second of the year for Arianespace, was also the first time an Ariane placed two military satellites in orbit on a single mission. The next Ariane flight is scheduled for early March, when an Ariane 5 will launch a European and Japanese communications satellites.
Related Links:
| <<previous article | next article>> |
|
news in brief
|
|
|
|
news links
|
|
Sunday, March 9
Two moon missions touched down on the lunar surface. How they unfolded was a stark contrast
CNN — 9:20 am ET (1320 GMT) China’s progress on ‘game-changing’ space technology raises US concerns about closing gap
South China Morning Post — 9:18 am ET (1318 GMT) Fleet Space unveils new global HQ and space tech hyper factory
Asia Pacific Defence Reporter — 9:14 am ET (1314 GMT) How Las Cruces lost the Spaceport America Cup
Albuquerque Journal — 9:13 am ET (1313 GMT) NASA launches plush mascot contest for next moon mission
Huntsville Times — 9:11 am ET (1311 GMT) |
