(ANSA) - KOUROU, OCTOBER 24 - The French Ariane 5 rocket equipped with two satellites for telecommunications has taken off from Kourou, in French Guiana, one of which is of last generation for military use. The launch had been postponed a few days ago for further checks.
The rocket started at 11:10 local time (3:10 Italian time, after Friday's postponement. The countdown was interrupted at 21:56 local time, five minutes before the best shooting window time, but was finally resumed at 23:03. The mission was successfully completed 38 minutes and 41 seconds after launch.
The rocket carries two satellites, the SES-17, operated by the Luxembourg SES group, and Syracuse 4A, a military telecommunications satellite developed for the French Ministry of Armed Forces. .
Commanded by the Directorate General of Armaments (DGA), Syracuse 4A will aim to allow the French Armed Forces to remain permanently connected with all forces on the ground.
SES-17 will provide coverage in the Americas, the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean, specifically to revolutionize in-flight connectivity for aircraft users, meet the strong demand for data transmission in shipping sectors and accelerate digital inclusion initiatives.
"Syracuse 4A is designed to withstand military attacks from the ground and in space, as well as interference," Colonel Stéphane Spet, spokesman for the AirForce and Air Force told AFP.
(HANDLE).