Spacebus 4000C4 – Spaceflight Now

Newly-launched Russian telecom satellite relying on backup thrusters

June 10, 2019 Stephen Clark

A French-built communications satellite for Russia’s Gazprom Space Systems launched May 30 is maneuvering toward its final operating location in geostationary orbit using a set of backup thrusters after the spacecraft encountered a problem with its main engine.

Photos: Proton blasts off with Yamal 601

June 3, 2019 Stephen Clark

Look back on the May 30 launch of a Russian Proton rocket from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan with this gallery of photos showing the 19-story launcher climbing into the sky with the Yamal 601 communications satellite.

Proton rocket lifts off with Yamal 601 communications satellite

May 30, 2019 Stephen Clark

On its first launch of the year, a Russian-made Proton rocket lifted off Thursday from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan with a French-built, Russian-owned communications satellite.

Imagery from Wednesday’s Ariane 5 launch in French Guiana

June 29, 2017 Stephen Clark

Blasting off shortly before sunset in French Guiana, an Ariane 5 rocket delivered two communications satellites to orbit Wednesday for the Indian space agency and companies based in Greece and the United Kingdom.

Ariane 5 rocket tallies 80th straight success with on-target satellite launch

June 28, 2017 Stephen Clark

Two geostationary communications satellites rode an Ariane 5 rocket into orbit Wednesday from a launch pad in French Guiana, embarking on missions to broadcast television across Europe, the Middle East and Africa, link European air travelers with Wi-Fi, and relay video and data signals across India.

Launch timeline for Ariane 5’s flight with Hellas-Sat 3/Inmarsat S EAN and GSAT 17

June 28, 2017 Stephen Clark

An Ariane 5 rocket will make its fourth flight of the year Wednesday, hauling two communications satellites into orbit for Inmarsat, Hellas-Sat and India’s space agency.

Live coverage: Ariane 5 blasts off with two satellites

June 28, 2017 Stephen Clark

A European Ariane 5 rocket lifted off Wednesday with the Hellas-Sat 3/Inmarsat S EAN satellite designed for television broadcasting and airborne connectivity in Europe, and India’s multipurpose GSAT 17 communications satellite. Launch from Kourou, French Guiana, occurred at 2115 GMT (5:15 p.m. EDT).

Ariane 5 rocket scheduled for launch Wednesday from French Guiana

June 27, 2017 Stephen Clark

Arianespace’s launch team in French Guiana rolled an Ariane 5 booster to its launch pad Tuesday and readied the rocket for liftoff Wednesday with an Inmarsat satellite to connect airline passengers over Europe and an Indian communications craft.

Launches resume in French Guiana with dual-payload Ariane 5 flight

May 4, 2017 Stephen Clark

Running more than six weeks late after social unrest in French Guiana forced the closure of Europe’s launch base there, a commercial Ariane 5 rocket took off Thursday just after sunset with a pair of communications satellites manufactured in France for owners in Brazil and South Korea.

Photos: Ariane 5 launcher on the eve of liftoff

May 4, 2017 Stephen Clark

A European Ariane 5 rocket sat poised for liftoff on a tropical launch pad Thursday nestled in the edge of the Amazon rainforest of South America.