Ariane 5 ECA orbits EchoStar XVII and MSG-3

Carried on an Ariane 5, the latest weather satellite in Europe's highly successful Meteosat Second Generation series, MSG-3, lifted off from Europe's Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana, on 5 July 2012. The launch of MSG-3 ensures the continuity of meteorological observations to improve weather forecasts from geostationary orbit 36 000 km above Earth. ESA has developed the series of weather satellites in close cooperation with the European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites, Eumetsat. Credits: ESA. For a larger version of this image please go here.

 On Thursday, July 5, Arianespace successfully launched two satellites: the dedicated Internet satellite EchoStar XVII for the American operator Hughes Network Systems, and the MSG-3 weather satellite for Eumetsat, the European Meteorological Satellite organization. The successful Ariane 5 launch once again proves the launcher's operational capabilities. Ariane 5 handles a complete range of missions, from commercial launches into geostationary orbit to launches into special orbits.
This was the 63rd launch of an Ariane 5, and the 49th successful launch in a row.
Arianespace's latest successful mission, the third Ariane 5 launch in 2012, clearly shows that its launch Service and Solutions continue to set the global standard and guarantee independent access to space for all customers, including national and international space agencies, private operators and governments

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