Ariane 5 launches with SES-14 and Al Yah 3 satellites. (Credit: Arianespace)
by Douglas Messier
Managing Editor
An Ariane 5 booster delivered two communications satellites into the wrong orbits on Thursday, but their owners say the spacecraft are healthy and will be able to reach their intended destinations using on-board propulsion.
UPDATE: Agence France Presse (AFP) is reporting the problem with Ariane 5 involved more than just a loss of telemetry: But a source told AFP the satellites did not detach from the rocket in the correct place after the craft followed an “imperfect trajectory”. Arianespace said they were currently “repositioning the satellites in the right place using their propulsion systems” adding that the current status was “reassuring after strong concerns”. […]
