PARIS (Sputnik) – The European Ariane-5 rocket, which is carrying two satellites, has been successfully launched from the Guiana Space Port in French Guiana.
The rocket, manufactured under the authority of the European Space Agency (ESA) is carrying the Star One C4 Brazilian communications satellite and the MSG-4 satellite from the European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites (EUMETSAT).
Fabulous! #MSG4321 liftoff on board #VA224 as seen by ESA's mission control team at ESOC #GoAriane5 pic.twitter.com/5BklV5x0BC
— ESA Operations (@esaoperations) July 15, 2015
SEPARATION CONFIRMED! @MSG4_Satellite now flying free in orbit! #MSG4321
— ESA Operations (@esaoperations) July 15, 2015
The MSG-4 satellite will track storms and take detailed images of Europe, Africa, and parts of the Atlantic and Indian Oceans for EUMETSAT.
Star One C4, made by California-based Space Systems Loral (SSL) for the Brazilian operator Embratel Star One, will broadcast television services.
The launch of Ariane 5 is the rocket’s third this year and the 80th since Ariane 5’s debut in 1996. Ariane 5 is operated by the Arianespace commercial launch service provider.