An Ariane-4 rocket took off from Kourou in French Guiana Thursday and placed two telecommunications satellites into orbit, Arianespace announced from its headquarters at Evry, near Paris.
The rocket blasted off successfully at 08:16 p.m. (23:16 GMT), carrying Brasilsat-B4 and Nilesat-102. It released the two satellites into orbit some 25 minutes after launch.
Brasilsat-B4, built by the American company Hughes Space and Communications and the sixth satellite of the Brazilian operator Embratel, will provide television and telecommunication services throughout Brazil for 12 to 13 years.
Nilesat-102, constructed in France by the European company Astrium, will deliver digital television programmes for North Africa and countries in the Persian Gulf.
Copyright 2000 AFP. All rights reserved. The material on this page is provided by AFP and may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
