Arianespace’s Ariane 5 dual-passenger heavy-lift launch vehicle has launched Eutelsat 8 West B and Intelsat 34 satellites from Europe’s Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana. They were transferred to the Final Assembly Building in French Guiana on August 10 and encapsulated on the launcher two days later.

Quickly turning east over the Atlantic Ocean, the Ariane 5 surpassed the speed of sound in 48 seconds propelled by 2.9 million pounds of thrust from its high-energy propulsion system. Intelsat-34 was launched into its personal switch about 13 minutes after the primary satellite tv for pc.

The rocket’s main stage drained 380,000 pounds – about 173 metric tons – of super-chilled liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen in about nine minutes, then gave way to an upper stage engine to finish the task of placing the two satellite passengers into the correct orbit.

The Eutelsat 8 West B and Intelsat 34 satellites blasted off yesterday at 17.34 local team and each successfully separated from the rocket after launch.

“Tonight, Arianespace is particularly proud to be in charge of a launch mission for the two first Ariane 5 commercial customers, also belonging to the top three private operators acting in the field of satellite communications”, Stéphane Israël, Arianespace’s CEO, said just before the launch. “Of course, we know Arianespace has a reputation for being extremely reliable, but it’s always a tense moment for us”. The satellite, weighing 12,800 lbs.

Both satellites arrived in Kourou in mid-July.

EUTELSAT is the considered to be the leading satellite operator in Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East, and third worldwide in terms of revenues. The satellite is on its way to the 7/8 degrees west video neighborhood and is expected to enter full commercial service in early October. The aging craft will be re-deployed to other missions.

Eutelsat and Nilesat have progressively built a comprehensive broadcast infrastructure at this position, comprising satellites designed for Direct-to-Home reception in a vast footprint stretching from Morocco to the Gulf.

Artist’s concept of the Intelsat 34 satellite in orbit.

There are now two more Ariane 5 launches planned for 2015.

“Intelsat 34 is the 55th satellite launched by Arianespace for Intelsat”, Israel said.

“We’ve been friends and partners with Eutelsat for over 30 years, and we intend to continue!”

Intelsat-34, owned and operated by Intelsat, shall be positioned at 304.5°E in geostationary orbit to offer media distribution providers for Latin America and host a number one Brazilian direct-to-home platform. The new satellite is built to last for 15 years and carries 24 transponders.

The Ariane 5 launcher will be carrying a total payload of approximately 10 metric tons. It will replace the Intelsat 805 and Galaxy 11 satellites.

“We look forward to the launch… and to providing expanded coverage in Latin America and the North Atlantic with Intelsat 34”, said Thierry Guillemin, EVP and Chief Technology Officer of Intelsat.