Article Posted on : - Mar 24, 2014

Ariane 5 performs another on-time lift-off. Photo: Arianespace

KOUROU, FRENCH GUIANA (AP): The European space consortium Arianespace has successfully launched a rocket with two communication satellites from the South American nation of French Guiana.

During Saturday's launch, an Ariane 5 carried a satellite for Luxembourg-based SES Astra. The other is owned by Spain's Hispasat.

The launch was the Ariane 5 rocket's second flight so far this year. The rocket took off from the company's spaceport in French Guiana.

Arianespace has shareholders from 10 European countries, including France's CNES space agency. It was founded in 1980 as the world's first commercial satellite launch company.