Ariane 5 lifting off DSN-1/Superbird-8 and HYLAS 4 satellites. Credit: © Arianespace.

Arianespace has launched two telecommunications satellites, DSN-1/Superbird-8 and HYLAS 4, into space from the Spaceport in French Guiana.

The mission was launched on-board an Ariane 5 rocket. It was carried out on behalf of Japan’s SKY Perfect JSAT and the UK’s Avanti Communications.

Ariane 5 crossed the 200-mark in its history of launching satellites with the latest 34-minute launch.

As part of the mission, the rocket has delivered a total of 10,260kg payloads at liftoff into a geostationary transfer orbit.

The newly launched DSN-1/Superbird-8 satellite is a dual-use relay platform. It will be operated by SKY Perfect JSAT.

“Developed by Orbital ATK, the high-throughput satellite is also expected to cover regions such as South America, the Caribbean and the Middle East.”

It rode on the upper passenger position on Ariane 5 and the first payload deployed by Ariane 5 in this mission.

The satellite’s Superbird-8 payload uses high-performance Ku and Ka-band transponders to provide communications services primarily for the Japanese market, while DSN-1 is an X-Band defence communications payload.

Manufactured by Mitsubishi Electric (MELCO), DSN-1/Superbird-8 is the third MELCO-built satellite launched by Arianespace. It is scheduled to operate from a final orbital position at 162° east longitude.

The HYLAS 4 satellite is another payload of the latest mission, which will be operated by Avanti Communications. It was released from Ariane 5’s lower passenger position to reach a final orbital position of 33.5° west longitude.

The satellite has been designed to provide high-speed and secure satellite communications in Ka-band to Internet service providers (ISPs), mobile network operators (MNOs), governments and satellite operators across Europe.

Developed by Orbital ATK, the high-throughput satellite is also expected to cover regions such as South America, the Caribbean and the Middle East.

In addition, Ariane 5 is scheduled to launch GSAT-11 and Azerspace-2/Intelsat 38 satellites next month.