Arianespace to launch 2 telecommunications satellites for India

European satellite launch firm Arianespace announced on Thursday that it has signed a contract with the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) to launch two telecommunications satellites for the latter. The two satellites - GSAT 15 and GSAT 16 - "designed, assembled and integrated by ISRO, will each weigh around 3,150 kg at launch" and "will provide C and Ku-band telecommunications services including VSAT transmissions, TV broadcasting and emergency communications," Arianespace said in a statement. They will be launched by Ariane 5 launch vehicles at the French and European spaceport Guiana Space Center near Kourou in French Guiana Founded in 1980 as the world's first commercial satellite launch company, Arianespace is a world leader in the satellite launch sector.