spacetoday.net: Ariane launches two satellites

Posted: Sat, Oct 6, 2007, 4:47 AM ET (0847 GMT)
Ariane 5 launch of Intelsat 11 and Optus D2 (Arianespace)

An Ariane 5 launched two communications satellites for customers in the US and Australia on Friday evening. The Ariane 5 GS lifted off from Kourou, French Guiana at 6:02 pm EDT (2202 GMT) Friday, after a 34-minute delay in the final seconds of the countdown caused by a technical problem at the launch pad. The two payloads, Intelsat 11 and Optus D2, were released into geosynchronous transfer orbit about a half-hour after liftoff. Intelsat 11, a Star 2 model built by Orbital Sciences Corporation, weighed 2,460 kg at liftoff. It carries 16 C-band and 18 Ku-band transponders and will operate from 43 degrees west in GEO, providing services to North and South America. Optus D2, also built by Orbital, weighed 2,350 kg at liftoff and carries 24 Ku-band transponders. It will operate from 152 degrees east in GEO, serving Australia and New Zealand. The launch also tested the reignition sequence of the upper stage that will be required when the Ariane 5 launched the first ATV cargo spacecraft for the ISS early next year. The launch is the fourth of six Ariane 5 missions scheduled for 2007.