The frogs are winning

European rocket powers to record

Europe's Ariane 5 rocket has set a new benchmark for a commercial launch - lifting into orbit a two-satellite payload weighing 9.4 tonnes.



The immense, 50m-long vehicle powered away from Kourou in French Guiana at 1929 local time (2229 GMT).



The Astra 1L and Galaxy 17 platforms it put in space will deliver TV and other services to Europe and North America.