ARIANESPACE OPENS 2009 WITH ANOTHER SUCCESS FOR ARIANE 5

Arianespace completed its year-opening Ariane 5 flight tonight, orbiting payloads for two of the world’s leading satellite communications operators – Eutelsat and SES. Tonight’s deployment of the multi-satellite payload – consisting of HOT BIRDâ„¢ 10, NSS-9 and two Spirale micro-satellites – marks the 43rd mission for Ariane 5, as well as the 29th consecutive success for the heavy-lift launch vehicle.