Ariane 5 ECA launches Skynet 5D and Mexsat 3/Bicentenario

Arianespace launched their final Ariane 5 launch of the year by successfully lofting two satellites into orbit – Skynet 5D and Mexsat 3/Bicentenario – from the European Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana. The launch was on schedule at the opening of the window at 21:49 UTC on Wednesday. The Ariane 5 ECA (Cryogenic Evolution type A) – the most powerful version in the Ariane 5 range – was used for this flight. The Ariane 5 ECA is an improved Ariane 5 Generic launcher. More

(Source: NASASpaceFlight.com - Dec 20)