Arianespace launched its eighth commercial mission this year on 5 July, carrying the Stellat 5 and N-Star C communications satellites to transfer orbits.
Stellat 5 is the first satellite to be deployed for the France Telecom-EuropeStar joint venture with Alcatel Space and Loral Space and Communications. The Spacebus 3000 model will be located at 5°W, operating 35 Ku-band and 10 C-band transponders.
N-Star C was launched for Orbital Sciences and Lockheed Martin Commercial Space under a contract with Japanese operator NTT.
Another Ariane 5 will launch on 27 August Atlantic Bird 1 and Eumetsat's first Meteosat Second Generation meteorological satellite.
Source: Flight International
