The hybrid communications satellite Hellas Sat 3-Inmarsat S European Aviation Network and the GSAT-17 were satellites number 600 and 601 to be put into orbit last Wednesday 28th of June by Arianespace. In this case the launcher was an Ariane 5. Hellas Sat 3 will provide telecommunications services in Europe, the Middle East and some sub-Saharan countries; Inmarsat S EAN will provide broadband in-flight connectivity in Europe. The GSAT-17 Indian satellite, for its part, will provide communications services, data retransmission and search and rescue services. Both satellites have a projected life of 15 years. In addition to reaching the 601 satellites put into orbit with this one go 80 successful consecutive launches of Ariane 5 This new Ariane 5 incorporates a new fairing cap formed by only four pieces instead of 17 of the previous model. This new fairing cap requires fewer joints, weighing 107 kilos less than the previous one, which allows to put 10 kilos more of payload into geostationary orbit.
