Arianespace launched a rocket Thursday carrying two satellites that will provide direct TV broadcasts to continents including Europe, Asia and Africa.The Ariane 5 released the satellites into orbit about half an hour after taking off from a launch center in French Guiana, Arianespace, the commercial arm of the 13-country European Space Agency, said in a news release.
The satellites weighed a total of nearly 20,000 pounds (9,000 kilograms) and are expected to provide service for at least 15 years.
The NSS-12 will provide telecommunications and direct-to-home TV broadcast services in Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia and the Middle East. It is operated by SES WORLD SKIES and was built by Space Systems/Loral.
The THOR 6 will provide similar services to the Nordic region and to Central and Eastern Europe. It was built by Thales Alenia Space and is operated by Telenor Satellite Broadcasting AS, a subsidiary of Norwegian mobile operator Telenor.
This year's final Ariane 5 flight is planned for early December.
It has already completed six flights this year and placed more than 92,000 pounds (42,000 kilograms) into orbit.
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