Ariane 5 awaits launch on Sept. 29 at the Guiana Space Center in French Guiana. Photo: Arianespace.

Arianespace successfully completed a mission on Sept. 29 that delivered two satellites to Geostationary Transfer Orbit (GTO): Intelsat 37e for operator Intelsat and BSAT 4a for Japan’s Broadcasting Satellite System Corporation (BSAT). An Ariane 5 heavy-lift launch vehicle carried the satellites into orbit from the ELA-3 launch zone in French Guiana.

Intelsat 37e was deployed first in the flight sequence, separating from the Ariane 5 launch vehicle at 29 minutes after liftoff, followed approximately 18 minutes later by BSAT 4a.

Intelsat 37e — built by Boeing using a 702MP platform — is the latest satellite to launch as part of Intelsat’s high-throughput Epic series. It also marks the fourth Epic spacecraft orbited by Arianespace to date, following Ariane 5 missions with Intelsat 29e and Intelsat 33e in January and August 2016, respectively, plus last February’s heavy-lift flight that lofted SKY Brasil 1/Intelsat 32e.

Weighing an estimated 6,440 kg at liftoff, Intelsat 37e will provide capacity for wireless backhaul, enterprise Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT) and mobility networks, carrying out its mission from a 342 degrees east orbital slot. Arianespace’s order book includes three more satellites to be lofted for Intelsat.

BSAT 4a will be used for Direct-To-Home (DTH) television relay in Japan, as well as to expand the availability of advanced television services such as 4K/8K Ultra-High Definition (Ultra-HD) television. It will operate from a final orbital position of 110 degrees east. Arianespace has launched all BSAT satellites since the company’s creation, according to Arianespace.