Arianespace’s Ariane 5 heavy-lift launcher logged another flawless mission on May 27, delivering a record-setting dual-satellite payload into geostationary transfer orbit.
Lifting off from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana at 6:09 p.m. local time, the Ariane 5 ECA accurately delivered the Thaicom 5 and Satmex 6 satellites, which had a combined payload mass of more than 8,200 kg.
For a full report on this new confirmation of Arianespace’s leadership role in the launch services industry, see Arianespace’s Website at: http://www.arianespace.com The Website’s Mission Update details the flight, and also includes comments from the Satmex and Shin Satellite Plc. customers, along with information on the next Arianespace missions. Our on-line “photo album” offers a review of the launch in images, while the official press release provides a complement of information on this success.