Relive the excitement from just moments ago as #Soyuz begins its first mission from French Guiana in 2018. #VS18 @SES_Satellites @Thales_Alenia_S pic.twitter.com/7mjTzJT5J5

— Stéphane Israël (@arianespaceceo) March 9, 2018

In its second launch of the year, Arianespace successfully orbited four O3b Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) satellites for SES. The new Ka-band satellites will join the existing O3b constellation to deliver high-speed connectivity to people and businesses in the growing mobility, fixed-data, and government markets, SES stated.

The satellites lifted off on a Soyuz rocket at 12:10 p.m. EST from the Guiana Space Center in French Guiana. Approximately two hours after launch, Arianespace confirmed successful deployment of the first pair of satellites, followed by the second pair about 20 minutes later.

Arianespace orbited the current 12-spacecraft O3b constellation using its medium-lift Soyuz, carrying four spacecraft each on launches that began in June 2013, followed by missions in July and December 2014. According to SES, the four new satellites will enable the company to offer more capacity, enhanced coverage, increased efficiencies and greater reliability while delivering carrier-grade services including MEF Carrier Ethernet 2.0 certified services to telecommunications operators, Mobile Network Operators (MNOs), enterprises, Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and government customers.

SES will be launching another four O3b MEO satellites for the constellation with Arianespace in 2019. Arianespace also has one SES Geostationary Earth Orbit (GEO) satellite in its order book.