September 30, 2017

81st straight success for Ariane 5

Friday 29 September 2017, Ariane 5 completed a flawless mission following its launch from Europe’s spaceport at the Guiana Space Centre (CSG), orbiting two new telecommunications satellites: Intelsat 37e, built by Boeing for Intelsat, and BSAT-4a, built by Space Systems Loral (SSL) for the Broadcasting Satellite System Corporation (B-SAT). This was the European launcher’s 81st straight success since 2003, the ninth launch of the year from the CSG, and the fifth launch of Ariane 5 in 2017.

With a launch mass of 6,438 kilograms, Boeing-built satellite Intelsat 37e will provide the highest speed broadband of the entire Intelsat EpicNG fleet. It features enhanced power distribution technology for on-demand service optimization according to application and regional requirements. This will enhance its ability to ensure improved transmission for mobile and corporate customers on the American, African and European continents. It has an expected service lifetime of 15 years.

With a launch mass of 3,520 kilograms and built by Space Systems Loral (SSL), the BSAT-4a satellite will provide direct-to-home (DTH) digital television services across the entire Japanese archipelago. Its technology will make it possible to extend coverage of the most advanced broadcasting services, such as high and very high definition. It will cover the whole of Japan, with an expected service lifetime of 15 years.

Commenting on this latest success for Europe’s space programme, CNES President Jean-Yves Le Gall said: “Ariane 5 has been the world leader in satellite launch services for nearly 15 years, and with nine launches to its credit so far this year, the Guiana Space Centre (CSG) is the best launch base in the world. I wish to congratulate and thank all of the teams to whom we owe this success for their professionalism and expertise, at ESA, Arianespace and across Europe’s space industry, at Intelsat and the Broadcasting Satellite System Corporation, and of course CNES’s teams at the Launch Vehicles Directorate and the Guiana Space Centre.”

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CONTACTS
Fabienne Lissak - Head of Media Relations       Tel. +33 (0)1 44 76 78 37    fabienne.lissak@cnes.fr
Pascale Bresson - Press Officer                 Tel. +33 (0)1 44 76 75 39    pascale.bresson@cnes.fr
Raphaël Sart - Press Officer                 Tel. +33 (0)1 44 76 74 51    raphael.sart@cnes.fr

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