Article Posted on : - Sep 22, 2011

Powered by its Vulcain cryogenic main engine and two solid propellant boosters , Ariane 5 clears the launch tower with the dual-passenger payload of Arabsat-5C and SES-2. Photo: Arianespace.

EVRY (BNS): Arianespace has successfully launched the Arabsat-5C and SES-2 telecommunications satellites from its Spaceport in French Guiana on Wednesday.

The Arabsat-5C was launched for the Arab Satellite Communications Organization (Arabsat) and SES-2 will be utilized by Europe’s SES.

Powered by its Vulcain cryogenic main engine and two solid propellant boosters, Ariane 5 clears the launch tower with the dual-passenger payload of Arabsat-5C and SES-2. Arabsat-5C was deployed first, separating from Ariane 5 at 27 minutes after liftoff, followed eight minutes later by SES-2.

The Arabsat-5C, manufactured by Europe’s EADS Astrium and Thales Alenia Space will deliver capacity in both the C- and Ka-bands for a range of communications services. SES-2 is the Commercially Hosted Infrared Payload (CHIRP) sensor for the US Air Force – which integrates a wide-field of view sensor for testing by the military service.

Arianespace will now liftoff Soyuz from French Guiana on Oct 20th.