LES MUREAUX---Ariane 505 succeeded perfectly in launching two commercial telecommunications satellites during the night of March 21 to 22nd 2000. This 128th flight of Ariane was the second commercial launch of the new European vehicle Ariane 5.
Lift-off was several minutes late due to problems with the meteo, but at 23h28mn19sec U.T.,. the powerful rocket shot off its launch pad carrying AsiaStar for WorldSpace and Insat 3B for the Indian Space Agency, ISRO.
The two satellites were housed aboard in the dual launch device, Sylda 5, used for the first time with this flight. Total mass satellized is 5,813 kg.
Aerospatiale Matra Lanceurs is the industrial architect of Ariane 5, and prime contractor for the main cyrogenic stage (EPC) and the two solid booster stages (EAP). The company is also responsible for the flight programs.
