Arianespace successfully launched two telecommunications satellites Friday – Arabsat 3A for the Arab League, and Skynet 4E for the British Ministry of Defence. Liftoff was on time at 7.44pm local time from the Guiana Space Center in Kourou, French Guiana. Ariane Flight 116 was the 43rd successful launch in a row for Arianespace the Paris based operator of the Ariane launch vehicle family.

Following this successful mission, Arianespace Chairman and CEO Jean-Marie Luton said, "This first success of 1999 reflects the long, fruitful collaboration between Arianespace and two of our faithful customers — loyalty which is the clearest recognition of Arianespace's excellent service.

Adding that Ariane has established itself as the launcher of choice for Arab customers. In 14 years we have launched five Arabsat satellites, supporting the dynamic Arab presence in the space communications sector.

"This is the third Skynet satellite that Arianespace has launched for the British MoD. We are very proud to be able to contribute to both European and Atlantic security."

Flight 116 was carried out by an Ariane 44L, the version of the European launcher with four liquid-propellant strap-on boosters. It used the 85th out of 116 Ariane 4 launchers ordered to date from the European space industry. Provisional parameters at third stage injection were

Perigee: 199.4 km for a target of 199.8 (+/- 3 km)

Apogee: 35,968 km for a target of 35,990 km (+/- 150 km)

Inclination: 7.014 degrees for a target of 7.00 degrees (+/- 0.06 degrees)

Arabsat 3A is the fifth satellite entrusted to Arianespace by the Arab League. Program prime contractor Alcatel Space assembled, integrated and tested the satellite at Toulouse and Cannes.

Weighing 2,708 kg (6,968 lb) at liftoff, Arabsat 3A is equipped with 20 active Ku-band transponders and offers 6,400 W of power. It will be located at 26 degrees East, and provide direct TV broadcasting, telephony, fax and data transmission services to an area extending from southern Europe to the traditional Arabsat coverage zone.

Skynet 4E, built by Matra Marconi Space in Stevenage, UK, is the third satellite launched by Ariane for the British Ministry of Defence (MoD). Weighing 1,490 kg (3,278 lb) at liftoff, it is equipped with four SHF and two UHF transponders, and has 2,000 W of power. Skynet 4E will provide strategic and tactical communications services for the British armed forces.

Arianespace plans to carry out nine to ten Ariane 4 launches in 1999, along with three Ariane 5 missions. The next launch, Arianespace Flight 117, is scheduled for April 2, 1999.

An Ariane 42P will place into orbit the Insat 2E telecommunications and meteorology satellite for the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).

Following Flight 116, Arianespace's order book now stands at 39 satellites and 1 LEO constellation deployment launch.