Ariane 5 super-rocket lifted off from Kourou in French Guiana

Europe’s Ariane 5 super-rocket has successfully lifted off from Kourou in French Guiana. It also successfully placed the two satellites into orbit, which it was destined to do in its course of track. This was the second attempt by the scientists as the first attempt failed miserably two years ago. The test failed that time when the rocket veered off course and was destroyed by ground control.

The rocket had a capacity to place up to 10 tones of payload into orbit. The official statement from the Arianespace at its headquarters outside Paris said that the rocket was launched at 2103 GMT more than one hour into the start of the launch window.

European Union has spent close to 650 million dollars in a bid to reach the levels of expertise United States and Russia have in the lucrative market for satellite launches. The Ariane 5 ECA placed into geostationary orbit the 3.6-tonne XTAR-EUR satellite. This satellite would provide government and military communications for the United States and Spain in a footprint ranging from eastern Brazil to Singapore.

The satellite was built in the United States by Space Systems/Loral. France’s Research Minister Francois d’Aubert spoke to media after the launch: “The real issue here was the engines. We are convinced now that they are totally reliable. This means that we are among the space leaders of our age.”

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