Ariane 5 VA212

Liftoff of Ariane VA212 from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana on 7 February 2013, carrying the Azerspace/Africasat-1a and Amazonas-3 telecom satellites into orbit. Both satellites were accurately injected into their transfer orbits 27 and 36 minutes after launch, respectively. Amazonas-3 is the first high-power telecom satellite to offer services in Ka-band over Latin America. It will provide telecommunications and broadband connectivity in Europe, as well as America and North Africa, from its geostationary position over 61°W. Azerspace/Africasat will provide a wide range of telecommunications services for Azerbaijan, Central Asia, Europe, the Middle East and Africa from 46°E.