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Arianespace Hits 50th Consecutive Launch with Hylas 2, Intelsat 20 Mission

By Jeffrey Hill | August 6, 2012

[Satellite TODAY 08-06-12] Arianespace has launched its 50th consecutive successful mission by placing the Intelsat 20 and Hylas 2 satellites into orbit for operators Intelsat and Avanti, respectively, the companies confirmed Aug. 3.

   The mission was Arianespace’s fourth Ariane 5 launch of 2012 and its 64th overall. The Ariane 5 heavy lift rocket released the Intelsat 20 and Hylas 2 spacecraft into their targeted orbits.
   Intelsat 20 was built by Space Systems/Loral to provide C-band and Ku-band for DTH television, cellular backhaul and VSAT services, replacing Intelsat 7 and Intelsat 10 at the 68.5 degrees East orbital slot. Intelsat 20 also hosts the largest DTH platform in Africa.
   Avanti’s Hylas 2, built by Orbital Sciences, aims to provide data and video services to Eastern and Southern Africa, Eastern Europe and the Middle East and across the Caucuses. Arianespace also launched Avanti’s first satellite, Hylas 1, in November 2010.