Ariane rocket launches satellites for Japan, Australia

PARIS, Aug. 22 (Xinhua) -- An Ariane 5-ECA rocket has successfully launched two communications satellites for Japan and Australia at 22:08 GMT on Friday at the Arianespace launch site in Kourou, French Guiana.

An Ariane 5 rocket stands at the launch site in Kourou, French Guyana in July 2009. An Ariane 5 rocket is set to propel two communications satellites into space,  one for Japanese telecom operator SKY Perfect JSAT Corporation and second for Australian operator Optus. (Xinhua/AFP Photo)

The dual payload includes one satellite for Japanese telecom operator SKY Perfect JSAT Corporation and another for Australian operator Optus.

Half an hour after lift-off, the two satellites left the rocket and entered their temporary orbit. They are scheduled to move into earth-synchronous orbit several days later.

The JSAT-12 satellite, weighing four tons, will provide communication services for Japan, the Asia-Pacific region, Oceania and Hawaii. It has a designed life of 15 years.

The Optus-D3, with a weight of 2.5 tons, will provide live TV and broadcasting, internet and telecom services for Australia and New Zealand. It will also have a life span of 15 years.