Europe's Ariane 5 Launches Two Satellites into Space

Europe's Ariane 5 rocket launcher successfully sent two telecoms satellites, one for Australia and one for Argentina, into space on Wednesday.

They were launched from Kourou, in French Guiana, at around 05:30 pm local time, according to launch company Arianespace.

The 68th successful launch for Ariane 5 placed the Sky Muster operated by Australia's NBN and ARSAT 2 for Argentina's ARSAT into space.

Sky Muster "is the seventh satellite launched by Arianespace for the Australian operator", said the company, adding that it will extend broadband across Australia including to outlying areas such as Norfolk and Christmas islands.

ARSAT 2 will be used for television services, particular types of Internet access and data transmission.