Arianespace has successfully launched two geostationary satellites: Star One C4 for the private operator Embratel Star One, the leading satellite communications company in South America, and MSG-4 for EUMETSAT, the European organization dedicated to weather, climate and environmental monitoring. The third Ariane 5 launch of the year took place on July 15 at 6:42 pm local time in Kourou, French Guiana, from the Guiana Space Center (CSG).

It clearly illustrates Arianespace's dual responsibility: to guarantee independent access to space for Europe, and to establish its position as a benchmark in the commercial launch services market. 30 years of joint success with Embratel Star One The Brazil-based Embratel Star One is the leading satcom operator in South America. Star One C4, built by Space Systems/Loral (SSL), is the company's tenth satellite.

It will increase Embratel Star One's telecom, broadcast and Internet service capacity in Brazil, other South American countries, Mexico and the United States. Arianespace and Embratel Star One have teamed up successfully for the last 30 years, with Arianespace launching all of the company's satellites.

With Star One C4, Arianespace and SSL celebrate their 50th joint mission to geostationary transfer orbit (GTO). Arianespace's current launch manifest includes 14 more SSL-built satellites to be launched. Arianespace and EUMETSAT team up to improve life on Earth Built by Thales Alenia Space, the MSG-4 satellite will carry on the mission assigned to EUMETSAT's Second Generation satellites.

EUMETSAT is the European Meteorological Satellite organization, dedicated to monitoring weather, climate and environmental conditions. Its meteorological observation services, primarily intended for Europe, will also extend to encompass Africa (including Reunion Island), the Atlantic Ocean and the eastern part of South America.

The partnership between Arianespace and EUMETSAT, serving all European citizens, reaches back to 1981; MSG-4 is the tenth Meteosat satellite to be launched by Arianespace.

Shortly after the announcement that the two satellites had been injected into orbit, Arianespace Chairman and CEO Stephane Israel said: "Arianespace is very proud of having successfully completed this evening's dual launch, orbiting the Star One C4 satellite for the private operator Embratel Star One, to bolster its position in the Americas; and the MSG-4 satellite for the European organization EUMETSAT, which will be able to commission the fourth and last of its second-generation satellites.

"I would like to thank our customers for their continuing loyalty, which has been unflagging for more than 30 years. Along with them, we are very honored to launch these satellites that will improve life on Earth and support sustainable development, just a few months before the COP 21 climate change conference.

"I would also like to thank all our partners who contributed to this sixth launch of the year, the 66th successful launch in a row and the 80th overall for Ariane 5: ESA, prime contractor for the Ariane program; all European companies who contribute to Ariane under the direction of industrial prime Airbus Safran Launchers; the satellite manufacturers SSL and Thales Alenia Space; CNES-CSG and companies at the launch base; and of course the men and women of Arianespace, whose commitment and professionalism are clearly reflected in the success of this sixth launch of the year."

Star One C4
Built by SSL, Star One C4 weighed 5,565 kg at launch. The satellite is fitted with 48 active Ku-band transponders. It will be positioned at 70 West, and offers a design life of 15 years. Star One C4 is the 10th satellite orbited by Arianespace for the private operator Embratel Star One; the most recent launch for this company was Star One C3 in November 2012.

MSG-4
MSG-4 was built by Thales Alenia Space and weighed 2,043 kg at launch. It will be positioned at 3.4 West, and offers a design life of 7 years. MSG-4, the fourth and last Meteosat Second Generation satellite, is the 10th Meteosat satellite launched by Arianespace after MSG- 3 in July 2012.

The Star One C4/MSG-4 mission at a glance
+ 511th and 512th satellites launched by Arianespace

+ 66th successful launch in a row of Ariane 5

+ 3rd Ariane 5 launch in 2015

+ 6th Arianespace launch of the year.

The launch was carried out from launch complex No. 3 (ELA 3) at the Guiana Space Center in Kourou, French Guiana, at:

6:42 pm, local time, on Wednesday, July 15, 2015

5:42 pm, in Washington, DC

21:42 UTC

11:42 pm in Paris.

On the 224th Ariane mission, the launcher carried a total payload of 8,587 kg, including 7,608 kg for the two satellites, injected into their targeted orbits.