The Ariane 5 launcher successfully lifted off from the Guiana Space Center on Wednesday at 18:45 local time, with the Eutelsat Konnect VHTS satellite on board, intended to provide high-speed Internet access throughout Europe, especially in areas where coverage it is deficient. weak. It is about reducing the digital gap in the Old Continent.
It must offer a service comparable to fiber optic networks in terms of performance and cost.
The spacecraft is bulky, weighing 6.4 tonnes and standing 8.8 meters tall in its final configuration, making it the largest satellite built by Thales Alenia Space.
Three other launches planned
With a useful life of 15 years, this satellite was entrusted to an Ariane 5 launcher, which is to put it into orbit 28 minutes after launch at an altitude of 3,804 kilometers.
This is one of the final Ariane 5 releases, with three others due in the coming months, including one in late 2022, before Ariane 6 takes over the following year.
Source: BFM TV
