Astra 2B & GE-7Ariane 5 G Arianespace Launch Status Success Thu · Sep 14th, 2000 6:54 PM EDT Mission Astra 2B & GE-7 Type: Communications Astra 2B is one of the Astra communications satellite owned and operated by SES. Providing digital television and radio broadcast service to the UK and Republic of Island. GE-7 is also a commercial communications satellite owned and operated by GE American. Providing coverage to North America, Hawaii, the Caribbean islands and most of Mexico. Location Ariane Launch Area 3 Kourou, French Guiana 151 launches have been at this location. Rocket Ariane 5 G Length: 57 meters Diameter: 5.4 meters First Launched: June 4, 1996 The original version is dubbed Ariane 5 G (Generic) and had a launch mass of 737 tonnes. Its payload capability to geostationary transfer orbit (GTO) was 6,900 kg (15,200 lb) for a single satellite or 6,100 kg (13,400 lb) for dual launches. It flew 17 times with one failure and two partial failures. The Ariane 5 G rocket has been launched a total of 16 times with 13 successful and 3 failed launches. Agency Arianespace Type: Commercial Abbreviation: ASA Administration: CEO: Stéphane Israël Founded: 1980 Launchers: Ariane 5 | Vega Spacecraft: Country: FRA Arianespace SA is a multinational company founded in 1980 as the world's first commercial launch service provider. It undertakes the production, operation, and marketing of the Ariane programme. Their vehicles launch exclusively from French Guiana in South America. View Rocket Launch Schedule