An Ariane 5 rocket orbited two communications satellites: Insat 3A for ISRO, the Indian space agency, and Galaxy XII for PanAmSat. The flight marked the eleventh successful launch of the Ariane 5 "Generic" launcher. The Insat 3A satellite is fitted with 18 C-band and extended C-band transponders and 6 Ku-band transponders. It will provide telecommunications and TV transmission services for the Indian sub-continent, while also carrying out a meteorological observation mission. The Galaxy XII satellite will provide C-band links between the continental United States, Alaska and Hawaii.
http://www.arianespace.com
- In December 2002, Arianespace's first flight of a new Ariane 5 rocket designed carrying a 10-ton payload for Eutelsat and the French space agency CNES failed soon after launch from Kourou, French Guinea. The Ariane 5 rocket and its Hotbird 7 satellite were purposefully destroyed.
