Ariane 5 launch

Arianespace has successfully launched two telecom satellites aboard its Ariane 5 V208 launcher from the Kourou space centre in French Guiana, marking the launcher’s 50th consecutive launch since 2003.

The launcher will inject into the geostationary orbit the Intelsat 20, built by Space Systems / Loral for satellite operator Intelsat, and the Orbital Sciences’ HYLAS 2 for European operator Avanti Communications.

With an expected life span of more than 18 years, the 6090kg Intelsat 20 will replace the Intelsat-7 and Intelsat-10 after being operational in September, and will offer C-band and Ku-band for DTH television, cellular backhaul and VSAT services in Europe, the Middle East, Russia and Asia.

"Following the launch of its third of five launches scheduled for 2012, Intelsat is planning to launch Intelsat 21 and Intelsat 23."

David McGlade, Intelsat CEO, said: "With C-band coverage over four continents and four regionally focused Ku-band beams, Intelsat 20 provides enhanced replacement capacity for our prime video neighborhood at 68.5° East for DTH and distribution services."

Following the launch of its third of five launches scheduled for 2012, Intelsat is also planning to launch Intelsat 21 and Intelsat 23 in the third quarter of 2012.

On successful placement into geostationary orbit at 33.5 degrees West and several weeks of in-orbit testing and systems verification, the 3325kg HYLAS satellite will offer high-bandwidth Ka-band for data and video services to Eastern and Southern Africa, Eastern Europe and the Middle East, and across the Caucuses.

The HYLAS satellite is designed based on Orbital’s GEOStar-2 platform and is equipped with 24 active Ka-band user beams and six gateway beams, in addition to a steerable spot beam operating at Ka-band, which can offer coverage anywhere on Earth within the satellite’s visibility.

According to Arianespace, the collective mass of both the satellites and auxiliary support structures added up to 10,183kg, which is claimed to be a performance record for Ariane 5 launcher.

Image: Ariane 5 launcher, carrying Intelsat 20 and HYLAS 2 satellites, during its take-off from Kourou space centre in French Guiana. Photo courtesy of: ESA / Arianespace.