The European launcher took off at 2204 GMT, with the launching of the satellites into orbit due to occur 38 minutes Later. (Photo by Handout / EUROPEAN SPACE AGENCY / AFP)
PARIS, France (AFP) — A rocket that blasted off from French Guiana successfully placed two communications satellites into orbit Saturday, launch firm Arianespace said.
The Ariane 5 rocket took off at 2204 GMT from Kourou, the European Space Agency’s space centre in the South American territory, the company said in a statement.
Two satellites on board — belonging to the intergovernmental provider Intelsat and Japan’s Broadcasting Satellite System Corporation — were later successfully placed into orbit, Arianespace said.
A servicing vehicle that will dock with other satellites in orbit was also deployed, it added.
The launch — the first for Arianespace since activities at Kourou were halted in March due to the coronavirus — had originally been scheduled for July 28 but was delayed to allow for more “technical inspections”.
Another delay followed due to “the unexpected behaviour of one sensor” for a liquid hydrogen tank.
On Thursday the launch was delayed for a third time due to unfavourable wind conditions.
Arianespace is a launch operator that puts satellites into orbit for the European Commission and European Space Agency.
Guiana, which is home to about 250,000 people, has been administered as a French region since the end of the 18th century.
© Agence France-Presse