BBC News Online: Sci/Tech

Satellites launched into wrong orbit

The European Space Agency says its new Ariane 5 rocket has sent two satellites into the wrong orbit, after its launch from a site in French Guiana on Thursday.

The agency said a malfunction in Ariane's propulsion system led to an early separation of the satellites.

One of them is owned by the European Space Agency and is valued at $900 million dollars.

The other satellite belongs to a Japanese operator.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service