[Satellite TODAY 06-29-10] Arianespace launched the Arabsat-5A and COMS satellites into geostationary transfer orbit on an Ariane 5 ECA rocket, the company announced June 26.
    The Arabsat-5A satellite was deployed first during the flight sequence, released 26 minutes into the mission. Produced by Astrium and Thales Alenia Space on a turnkey contract for the Arabsat telecommunications operator, the satellite carries 24 Ku-band and 28 C-band transponders for telecommunications and TV broadcasting services over the Middle East and Africa.
    The COMS satellite passenger separated from the Ariane 5 rocket at 32 minutes into the flight. The multi-purpose Astrium-built COMS spacecraft for the Korea Aerospace Research Institute is fitted with three payloads for meteorological observation, ocean surveillance and experimental broadband multimedia communications services.
   The next Ariane 5 mission is scheduled for Aug. 3 and will carry the Rascom-QAF 1R and Nilesat 201 satellites.
   Separately, Arianespace announced it has won a contract with Argentine satellite operator, Arsat to launch its Arsat-1 satellite into geostationary transfer orbit by an Ariane 5 or Soyuz launcher from the Guiana Space Center, Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana.
    Arsat-1 will be fitted with twelve 36 MHz, eight 54 MHz and four 72 MHz transponders, all in Ku band. The spacecraft aims to offer a wide range of telecommunications, data transmission, telephone and television services mainly across all of Argentina, Chile, Uruguay and Paraguay.
    The satellite is being built by the Argentine company INVAP, with Astrium and Thales Alenia Space as leading equipment suppliers.