The replacement satellite for AT&T's Telstar 402, which was lost in space in September 1994, was launched successfully by the eighth Ariane flight this year on 23 September. The Telstar 402R was launched by the Ariane 42L/V78 and will be followed by the Astra 1E spacecraft aboard the 42L/V79 of 14 October. Arianespace is competing with Lockheed Martin and China Great Wall Industry, for the Arabsat 2B launch contract, which is expected to be announced soon.
Source: Flight International