(Associated Press Worldstream via NewsEdge) Arianespace successfully launched an Australian communications satellite into orbit from its South American base in French Guiana.
The Ariane-5 rocket lifted off from French Guiana through clear skies, deploying the Optus D1 telecom spacecraft for Australia's Optus.
The Optus D1, weighing about 2,350kg, will provide fixed communications and broadcasting satellite services over New Zealand and Australia. It was built by Virginia-based Orbital Sciences Corp.
The same booster also placed into orbit a second satellite, the DirecTV 9S, for US digital television service provider DirecTV.
The 5,535kg DirecTV 9S was built by California-based Space Systems/Loral.
The launch was the consortium's fourth this year.
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