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Telenor Satellite Broadcasting’s (TSB) THOR 7 and Telespazio’s SICRAL 2 satellites have successfully been lifted-off aboard an Ariane 5 from spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana.

Designated flight VA222, the launch is 78th flight for Ariane launcher, and third for Arianespace this year.

With a mass of 4,590kg, the THOR 7 is mounted atop Ariane’s Sylda dual-payload carrier, and was released after 28 minutes into flight.

Sicral-2 was released into its transfer orbit around six minutes after the first satellite.

"The 64th successful launch in a row confirms the outstanding capabilities of our launcher teams and our ability to use our experience to implement the industrial organisation for future European launcher."

From 0.8°W, THOR 7 will deliver high-performance Ka-band communications for the maritime sector, as well as broadcast and television services in Central and Eastern Europe during its design life of 15 years.

Sicral-2 will be positioned in geostationary orbit, to provide strategic and tactical telecommunications links for French and Italian military forces.

Telespazio will operate Sicral-2 on behalf of the Italian Ministry of Defense and the French DGA armament agency (Direction Générale de l’Armement).

Airbus Defence and Space space systems head François Auque said: "The 64th successful launch in a row confirms the outstanding capabilities of our launcher teams and our ability to use our experience to implement the industrial organisation for future European launchers.

‘Our aim is to continue being the architect of one of the greatest European industrial success stories."

Since 2003, the company has been single prime contractor for the European Ariane 5 launcher.

Image: Ariane 5 flight VA222 lifted-off from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana. Photo: courtesy of ESA.