Arianespace Launches 2 Communications Satellites

Arianespace successfully orbited two geostationary communications satellites: INSAT-3E for the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), and e-BIRD for Eutelsat. The INSAT-3E satellite, which was built by the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) in Bangalore, is equipped with 36 C-band and extended C-band transponders for telecommunications and TV transmission services for the Indian sub-continent. The e-BIRD satellite was built by Boeing Space Systems in El Segundo, California, and is equipped with 20 Ku-band transponders for providing high-speed IP links for Europe and Turkey. The mission's third payload, ESA's SMART-1 lunar probe, was successfully injected into an orbit that will take it to the Moon. The launch was carried out by a standard Ariane 5 "Generic" launcher from Europe's Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana.
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