Eutelsat's HOT BIRD 7A satellite lofted into space.(satellite launched)

Wireless Satellite and Broadcasting Newsletter, March, 2006

Eutelsat Communications announced that its HOT BIRD 7A broadcast satellite has been successfully launched by an Ariane 5 ECA rocket from the European spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana.

Lift-off of the Ariane 5 launch vehicle carrying Eutelsat's 4.1-tonne satellite took place on March 11 at 19.32 local time (22.32 GMT, 23.32 Paris time). The satellite was separated from the launch vehicle at 23.04 GMT, and first telemetry reception was confirmed by the Malindi station in Kenya.

After four firings over the coming 10 days of HOT BIRD 7A's apogee motors to inject the satellite into geostationary orbit, Eutelsat's new spacecraft will be transferred to the orbital position where it will go through a complete series of in-orbit tests before joining the HOT...

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