Arianespace Launches Astra 2B, GE 7 On Ariane 5

Arianespace racked up another dual-satellite launch Sept. 14 by an Ariane 5 vehicle. The rocket lifted off at 6:49 p.m. EDT carrying the Astra 2B and GE 7 satellites and delivered both of them to their prescribed geostationary transfer orbits.

Astrium, in Toulouse, France, built the Astra 2B, for the Societe Europeenne des Satellites.

In addition, Intelsat has selected Arianespace to launch three satellites during the next two to two-and-a-quarter years, the launch company’s CEO said.

Jean-Marie Luton, Arianespace’s chairman and CEO, made the announcement in the course of his remarks congratulating his team and their associates, following the company’s successful satellite launch.

Intelsat’s Board of Governors decided on Arianespace during its September meeting, which concluded Sept. 14, said Tony Trujillo, Intelsat’s spokesman.

The decision involves three spacecraft, the Intelsat 905, 906 and 907 satellites, which are to be launched beginning late next year and running through 2002. Intelsat had already contracted with Arianespace for the launch of the Intelsat 901, 902 and 904 satellites, beginning in the second quarter of 2001.