Arianespace posted the 66th consecutive successful Ariane 5 launch with the flight of the Ariane 5 ECA VA224 launch with lifted off from in French Guiana at 0942 GMT on 15 July 2015, carrying Star One C4 communications satellite for the Embratel’s Star One company and MSG-4 for meteorological monitoring for Eumetsat. The orbital parameters achieved were close to target:
Perigee: 249.5 km. for a target of 249.1 km.
Apogee: 35,929 km. for a target of 35,904 km.
Inclination: 3.99 deg. for a target of 4.00 deg.
Riding in the upper position, Embratel Star One’s Star One C4 was deployed first in the flight sequence at just over 28 minutes after liftoff. This telecommunications satellite, which was designed and built by SSL (Space Systems/Loral) – will reinforce direct-to-home services in Brazil, while expanding access to other Latin American countries, and the mainland United States for Embratel’s Star One company, which is the largest satellite operator in South America.
Europe’s MSG-4 weather satellite had its successful separation some 40 minutes after liftoff. Produced by Thales Alenia Space, MSG-4 is the 10th Meteosat satellite launched by Arianespace, as well as the fourth and final satellite in the Meteosat Second Generation (MSG) series of spacecraft. MSG-4 is being stored in orbit following its launch and commissioning. Once operational, it will be renamed Meteosat-11.