Under a new contract, an Ariane 5 launch vehicle will propel the Skynet 5D communication satellite into orbit for Astrium.

Skynet 5D will be placed in geostationary transfer orbit by the launcher from the Guiana Space Centre in French Guiana in the first half of 2013.

The Astrium-built military communications satellite is based on a Eurostar E-3000 platform and is equipped with powerful X-band transponders and weighs 4,800kg at launch.

Arianespace has already orbited the Skynet 4B, 4C, 4E and 4F satellites for the UK Ministry of Defence.