Ariane 5 Lofts Two Satellites

2007-1008satellites.thumbnail-2.jpg

An Ariane 5 rocket blasted off its launch pad on Friday, October 5, carrying two telecommunications satellites into orbit. The rocket lifted off at 22:02 UTC, and the satellites were put into their geostationary transfer orbits 30 minutes later.

The two satellites were the Intelsat 11, which will provide broadcast and data communications services to Latin America, and the Optus D2, which will serve Australia and New Zealand. The payload mass for the two satellites was 4832 kg.

This was the fourth launch of the year for the Ariane rocket.

ESA News Release

Fraser Cain

Fraser Cain

Fraser Cain is the publisher of Universe Today, founding the website in March 1999. He's also the co-host of Astronomy Cast.