British, Mexican satellites in dual launch

Two satellites, one for the British military and one for a Mexican telecommunications company, have been launched from French Guiana, officials said. An Ariane-5 carrier rocket was launched at 4:49 p.m. EST Wednesday from the Kourou space center carrying the dual payload of the British Skynet 5D and the Mexsat Bicentenario satellites, RIA Novosti reported. The Skynet 5D telecommunications satellite, the eighth Skynet payload put in orbit by Ariana rockets, will provide services for the British Defense Ministry as well as for NATO member states. Mexsat Bicentenario, manufactured in the United States, will offer telecommunication services for the Mexican Transportation and Communications Ministry.