Europe's most powerful rocket blasted-off from Kourou in French Guiana on Wednesday night, carrying more than eight tonnes into orbit.
The Ariane 5 ECA launcher lifted off at 2346 GMT carrying two large telecommunications satellites. The launch was initially scheduled for 24 June 2005 but was postponed several times for technical reasons. Most recently, on 12 November, the launch was delayed following of an undisclosed technical problem with the launch platform.
The heavy-lift booster has only flown twice before. During its maiden flight in 2002 it veered off course and had to be destroyed remotely. So mission officials were eager to ensure the third flight was a success. The two telecommunications satellites it carried into space were its heaviest payload yet.
FA
