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Two European communication satellites put in orbit

Sat Dec 20, 2008 6:31pm EST

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KOUROU, French Guiana, Dec 20 (Reuters) - A European Ariane-5 rocket blasted off from French Guiana on Saturday to put two satellites into orbit for the European telecoms operator Eutelsat (ETL.PA), officials said.

The rocket was launched from Europe's space base in Kourou on the northeast coast of South America at 7:35 p.m. (2235 GMT).

Twenty-seven minutes after liftoff the rocket released the Hot Bird 9 satellite, to be used for digital and high-definition television broadcasting throughout Europe, North Africa, Middle East.

Six minutes later the rocket released the X2M satellite, for television, data transmission and broadband services.

Saturday's mission was the 28th consecutive successful launch of an Ariane-5 rocket. (Reporting by Laurent Marot and Alexander Miles)



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