Ariane lifts record dual payload

The ECA flies high from Kourou

Europe's Ariane 5-ECA rocket has set a new record for a commercial, dual-payload satellite launch.

Saturday's flight lofted the Thaicom 5 and Satmex 6 spacecraft - a combined mass of 8.2 tonnes.

The launch marked the Ariane 5's second flight this year and only the fifth in its heavy-lift configuration.

The ECA has the power to push payloads of 10 tonnes towards a geostationary orbit, 36,000km above the Earth.

Lift-off occurred without any delay at 1809 local time (2109 GMT).

The 5,456-kg Satmex spacecraft will deliver telecommunications coverage over the continental United States, Mexico and South America.

The 2,766-kg Thaicom 5 will provide telecom and TV services for the entire Asia-Pacific region.

Arianespace, the company tasked with operating Europe's rockets, has now launched more than 230 satellites since its first Ariane mission in 1984.

It expects to carry out four more launches this year.