Communication satellites launch from French Guiana spaceport

A pair of telecommunications satellites lifted off from the spaceport in Kourou,French Guianalocated on the northeast coast of South Americaas part of the Ariane 5 launch Tuesday afternoon.

The two satellites were launched into space by French space transport company Arianespace. They are expected to help with broadcasting in the Middle East, Africa, Central Asia and India.

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Ariane 5 is a heavy-lift launcher that carriedthe satellites. Tuesday's flight marked the launcher's sixth of the year and its 83rdin total. One of the satellites, dubbed Arabsat-6B (BADR-7), was released from the launcher about 27 minutes after takeoff, while the other,GSAT-15, wasreleased about 16 minutes after that.

The Arabsat-6B is expected to provide broadcast and communications services for about 15 years, while GSAT-15 has an expected lifespan of about 12 years.

Arianespace is considered to have somewhat of a "quasi-monopoly" on the small satellite launch market. Space X, itsCalifornia-based competitor, is growing. Itlaunchedtheworld's first all-electric communications satellites into orbit in March.