Arianespace’s 68th launch of Ariane 5 was also its first of 2013. The mission set a new record for weight injected into geostationary transfer orbit: the launcher on this mission carried a total payload of 10,317 kilograms, including 9,503 kilograms for the two satellites, Amazonas-3 and Azerspace/Africasat-1a.

   Amazonas-3 is the seventh Spanish satellite launched by Arianespace. The company first launched the Hispasat 1A and 1B satellites in 1992 and 1993, respectively, followed in 2005 and 2006 by the XTAR-EUR and Spainsat satellites for Hispasat and its subsidiary Hisdesat. Amazonas-2 was launched in 2009, followed by Hispasat 1E in 2010. Azerspace/Africasat-1a is the first national satellite to be launched by Arianespace for the Azerbaijan Ministry of Communications and Information Technologies.

   “Today’s successful mission, the 54th in a row for the European launcher, once again proves the reliability and availability of the Ariane 5 launch system. It also confirms that Arianespace continues to set the standard for independent access to space for all operators, including national and international space agencies, private industry and governments,” Arianespace said in a statement following the launch.

   On Wednesday, Arianespace and Starsem confirmed that the Fregat orbital stage accurately injected six Globalstar-2 constellations satellites into their targeted orbit.

   The Globalstar-2 constellation satellites, built by Thales Alenia Space, feature an optimized design to provide telephone and data transmission services to businesses and individuals in more than 120 countries. Arianespace and Starsem successfully launched the first 18 satellites of the Globalstar-2 constellation in 2010 and 2011 after Starsem had launched the 24 satellites in the Globalstar-1 constellation in 1999, as well as eight replacement satellites in 2007.

   Earlier today, the operator signed a long-term multiple launch services agreement with Eutelsat that covers up to four launches in 2016 and 2017, with the assignment of each satellite to a launch vehicle to be made at a later stage. The new contract is in addition to a contract signed between the two entities in July 2012 for the same timeframe, covering one launch and an option for a further launch.

   “We are all the more pleased with the long term scope of the agreement between our two companies that gives Eutelsat the guarantee of reliable access to space over the coming years,” Arianespace Chairman and CEO Jean-Yves Le Gall said in a statement. “For Arianespace, this new contract is further endorsement of a strategy based on quality, reliability and total respect of our commitments."