Article Posted on : - Jul 13, 2014

The Soyuz rocket lifts off from French Guiana. An Arianespace photo

KOUROU, FRENCH GUIANA (AP): Arianespace has launched a Soyuz rocket from French Guiana carrying four satellites that will help provide Internet and mobile connectivity to people in nearly 180 countries.

The satellites are operated by O3b Networks, a global satellite services provider based in the Channel Islands off France's northwest coast. The company already operates another four satellites placed into orbit last year.

The satellites launched on July 10 weighed a total of more than 3,200 kilograms.

The launch was Arianespace's fifth mission in 2014.

Arianespace is the commercial arm of the European Space Agency.