An Ariane 5-ECA heavy rocket lifted off from Europe's space base on French Guiana Wednesday and put into orbit the South Korean Koreasat 6 and Spanish Hispasat 1E telecommunications satellites. The launch from Europe's Spaceport in Kourou was the Ariane 5 launcher's sixth and last mission of the year. Lift-off was delayed by about 24 hours because of high winds.
"It is the 41st successful mission in a row of Ariane 5. In 2010 we launched 12 satellites from a world total of 20." said Arianespace chief Jean-Yves Le Gall.