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Ariane rocket delivers satellites Ariane rocket delivers satellites
(about 10 hours later)
Europe's heavy-lift Ariane 5-ECA rocket has put three satellites in orbit.Europe's heavy-lift Ariane 5-ECA rocket has put three satellites in orbit.
Two of the boosted spacecraft will transmit TV services to America and Australia. The third is a test platform for the Japanese space agency. Two of the satellites will transmit TV services to America and Australia. The third is a test platform for the Japanese space agency.
The flight from Kourou in French Guiana was the fourth mission of the year for Arianespace, the company charged with operating Europe's launchers.The flight from Kourou in French Guiana was the fourth mission of the year for Arianespace, the company charged with operating Europe's launchers.
The ECA has the power to push payloads of 10 tonnes towards a geostationary orbit, 36,000km above the Earth.The ECA has the power to push payloads of 10 tonnes towards a geostationary orbit, 36,000km above the Earth.
The total payload at lift-off for this flight was just short of the maximum for the 50m-long rocket.The total payload at lift-off for this flight was just short of the maximum for the 50m-long rocket.
The vehicle left Kourou at 1756 local time (2056 GMT).The vehicle left Kourou at 1756 local time (2056 GMT).
Each satellite was released separately - the first 27 minutes into the mission and the last, 32 minutes after lift-off.Each satellite was released separately - the first 27 minutes into the mission and the last, 32 minutes after lift-off.