Изстрелване на сателитите Thor 7 и SICRAL 2 от космодрума във Френска Гвиана

Arianespace successfully carried out a dual launch of two satellites, the Thor 7 and SICRAL 2, using an Ariane 5 ECA (Cryonic Evolution type A) rocket, on flight VA222 from Kourou in French Guiana, Sunday. Despite a two-day delay in the launch, both the Thor 7 and SICRAL 2 were stationed in their respective geostationary orbits without incident. The Ariane 5 ECA rocket used in the launch was an improved Ariane 5 generic launcher, the powerful version of the Ariane 5 range. The Thor 7 satellite is a multi-mission satellite operated by Telenor and equipped with the company's first high-performance Ka-band payload designed for the maritime market. The SICRAL 2 satellite, operated by Telespazio, is to be used as part of the Italian military satellite communications system. There are three more Ariane 5 missions scheduled for 2015, with the next launch set for May 20.