Arianespace launches two Intelstat satellites

Arianespace has successfully launched the Intelsat 33e and Intelsat 36 satellites. VA232 was the first Ariane 5 dual launch entirely dedicated to Intelsat satellites.

It was Arianespace’s second launch of the year for Intelsat. It has now launched 58 satellites for this operator, throughout a partnership that spans more than three decades.

The launch took place at the Guiana Space Center in Kourou, French Guiana. The heavy launcher set a new record by lofting 10,735 kg into geostationary transfer orbit (GTO), outpacing the previous record of 10,730 kg.

Intelsat 33e and Intelsat 36 are the company’s 57th and 58th satellites launched by Arianespace since the orbiting of Intelsat 507 in October 1983.

Since being founded, Arianespace has launched half of all Intelsat satellites, including half of its current in-orbit fleet of operational satellites.

In 2017, Arianespace will launch two other Intelsat satellites, Intelsat 32e and Intelsat 37e.

Image courtesy of Arianespace.