Five minutes before the launch of Ariane 5 rocket, the launch process was suspended. After waiting for the engineer to analyze the pressure reading of the rocket's main stage for 67 minutes, the countdown began again, and 10 was officially ignited and launched. The rocket abandoned two solid rocket boosters nearly two and a half minutes after completing its mission. The first stage rocket engine separates after 9 minutes of operation, and the second stage engine HM7B ignites. 16 minutes to geostationary satellite transfer orbit. SES- 17 satellite was released first, and Syracuse 4A satellite was released about 9 minutes later.
The launch broke two records. Firstly, the total launch weight of S- 17 and Syracuse 4A satellites is10,263 kg, which is the heaviest payload ever launched into the geostationary transfer orbit. Secondly, Ariane 5 rocket has a convex cylinder at the bottom of payload fairing. Compared with the standard launcher design, the height of the launcher is increased by 1.5 meters, making the total height of the rocket reach 56.3 meters, making it the highest Ariane 5 rocket ever.
SES- 17 is the largest communication satellite ever built by Lenya Aerospace Company in Terez, and also the largest geosynchronous orbit satellite (GEO) built for SES Satellite Communication Company. The satellite adopts Ka-band, which is specially designed to optimize the connection service for American commercial aviation. The satellite will be equipped with nearly 200 spot beams of mixed sizes, so as to allocate capacity more flexibly on high-traffic routes and visual beams, and effectively transmit Internet, live TV and real-time content. SES- 17 will cover North America, South America, Central America, Caribbean and Atlantic Ocean. SES- 17 is fully loaded with fuel, and the satellite weighs about 64 1 1 kg when it is launched. It can provide payload power above 15 kW, and its design life is 15 years.
Syracuse 4A satellite is the first of the two military communication satellites in Syracuse 4 program. This is a French military communication satellite, which is made by Lenya Space Company of Terez. The Syracuse 4A satellite was loaded with about 3,852 kilograms of fuel when it was launched. The satellite uses X-band and Ka-band, and its design life is 15 years. The launch of this satellite will expand the French military communication satellite group, which is currently composed of Syracuse 3A and Syracuse 3B satellites (wholly owned by France), and Sicral 2 satellites and Athena-Fidus satellites owned by France and Italy. Syracuse 4A satellite is mainly used to deal with the communication needs of drones and other military aircraft.