Space

Ariane-5 puts into orbit 2 communication satellites

RIA Novosti

03:25 27/11/2010

MOSCOW, November 27 (RIA Novosti) - The Ariane 5 carrier rocket launched from the Kourou space center in French Guiana late on Friday delivered its dual-satellite payload into orbit, the Arianespace satellite launch firm said.

The carrier rocket blasted off at 17:39 GMT and after 27 minutes orbited a U.S. telecommunications satellite Intelsat-17.

Seven minutes later it orbited a Hylas-1 satellite that will provide services for Internet access. Hylas-1 is a joint project of the European Space Agency (ESA), EADS Astrium space company, Britain's Avanti Communications company and the Indian Space Research Organization.

Friday's blastoff was the fifth of seven launches scheduled for this year, and the 40th consecutive launch success for Ariane 5.