It was not yet Ariane 6's turn on Wednesday. The Ariane 5 launcher successfully took off from the Guiana Space Center at 6:45 p.m. (11:45 p.m. in Paris), with the Eutelsat Konnect VHTS satellite on board, intended to provide access High-speed Internet throughout Europe, especially in areas where coverage is poor.
The objective is to reduce the digital divide on the Old Continent.
The satellite must offer a service comparable to fiber optic networks in terms of performance and cost.
The spacecraft is bulky, weighing 6.4 tons and will be 8.8 meters high in its final configuration, making it the largest satellite built by Thales Alenia Space.
With a lifespan of 15 years, Eutelsat was to be put into orbit 28 minutes after launch at an altitude of 3,804 kilometers.
The Ariane 6 rocket expected in 2023
This is one of the final launches of Ariane 5, three others will be launched in the coming months, including one at the end of 2022, before Ariane 6 takes over the following year.
The launch of this second Ariane 5 of the year should have taken place the day before, Tuesday, but unfavorable weather, in particular a wind blowing in the wrong direction, had led to a 24-hour postponement.
Science
The Ariane 6 rocket installed for the first time on its launch pad
Science
Guyana: One of the last Ariane 5 successfully takes off from Kourou
Science
Ariadne 5
Video
Satellite
Telecommunications
Guyana
Rocket