Europe's heavy-lift rocket, the Ariane 5, has finished its sixth and last assignment of 2010, putting two satellites high on top of the Earth.
The launcher powered skyward from its Kourou spaceport in French Guiana at 1827 local time (2127 GMT).
Ariane's greatest "passenger" was Hispasat-1E, a 5.3-tonne stage that will broach a operation of video and information services to Europe and the Americas.
The 2.7t Koreasat-6 will hoop TV and telecoms services for South Korea.
"It's the 41st uninterrupted success of Ariane 5 and in 2010 you will have launched a complete of 12 considerable telecommunications satellites out of a world complete of 20," mentioned Jean-Yves Le Gall, the chairperson and CEO of the rocket's operator, Arianespace. "This gives us a marketplace share of 60%."
The vehicle's initial excursion of 2011 is expected to be a re-supply assignment to the International Space Station (ISS).
Ariane will be used to put Europe's 20-tonne space freighter, ATV-Johannes Kepler, in a low-Earth orbit. The flight is scheduled for 15 February.
After separating from the Ariane, the freighter will use its own thrusters to obtain to the orbiting outpost.
It will be carrying more than 6 tonnes of fuel, air, food and apparatus is to station's astronauts.
Jonathan.Amos-INTERNET@bbc.co.uk
No comments:
Post a Comment