Astra 5B satellite launch on Ariane 5. Photo: SES

[Via Satellite 03-24-2014] Arianespace has successfully launched SES’ Astra 5B and Hispasat’s Amazonas 4A aboard the Ariane 5 launch vehicle from the European spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana. This launch marks 59 consecutive successful launches of the Ariane 5.

Built by Airbus Defence and Space Systems, the Astra 5 satellite will extend SES’ transponder capacity and geographical reach for DTH, direct-to-cable and contribution feeds to digital terrestrial television networks over Central and Eastern Europe, Russia, and the Commonwealth of Independent States. The satellite also carries the second SES hosted L-band payload for the European Commission’s European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service (EGNOS), which will help verify, improve and report on the reliability and accuracy of positioning signals in Europe.

Hispasat’s Amazonas 4A, manufactured by Orbital, is designed to offer audiovisual services and to respond to the demand generated by future events in Brazil including the 2014 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 Olympic Games. Amazonas 4A will provide coverage to South America from Venezuela and Colombia to the south of Argentina and Chile. Hispamar Satélites, the Hispasat Group’s Brazilian company, will operate the satellite.