Arianespace launched its V155 mission from Kourou, French Guiana, on 29 August, with an Ariane 5 carrying Eutelsat's first Meteosat Second Generation satellite and Eutelsat's Atlantic Bird 1 into a 579 x 35,929km (360 x 22,300 miles), 5.49° geostationary transfer orbit (GTO). The next Arianespace launch is set for 6 September, with an Ariane 44L carrying Intelsat 906, to be followed in October by the first Ariane 5 ECA featuring a new cryogenic upper stage, with a 10,000kg (4,540lb) to GTO capability.
Source: Flight International