Two satellites put into orbit

Kourou - Europe's 99th Ariane rocket put two satellites into orbit for European operators after a launch from equatorial French Guiana late on Tuesday. The Ariane 44LP rocket, equipped with two liquid and two solid strap-on boosters, lifted off at 7.21 p.m. from the European Space Agency (ESA) launch centre in Kourou, French Guiana. The Paris-based EUTELSAT organisation said one of the satellites, Hot Bird 3, would provide direct television broadcasting to Europe, consolidating the company's coverage of Europe, North Africa and the Middle East. - (Reuter)