A range of video and data services will soon be available in the country after a rocket carrying the telecommunications satellite that will enable such services was launched on Thursday.
The Ariane 5 rocket carrying the satellite, KOREASAT-7 owned by South Korea’s KTsat, blasted off at 6:51 pm (2151 GMT) from Europe’s space port in Kourou, Guiana.
The launch had been delayed several times after the French territory in South America was hit by more than a month of disruptions following a general strike, which saw workers erecting barricades around the space center.
The blockade was lifted on April 22, allowing for preparations to start afresh.
KOREASAT-7–which was placed in orbit a little more than 36 minutes from launch—will provide a range of video and data services also over Korea, India and Indonesia, among others.
Another satellite, the SGDC, separated from the rocket just over 28 minutes after lift-off.
SGDC will provide strategic communications for the Brazilian government and military, and beam broadband services across the country, helping to provide internet access to remote and underserved communities.
The Kourou space center has become a symbol of economic disparity in Guiana and a focus for anger, given that many locals have no electricity or running water and around one in four is jobless.
Workers downed tools against what they said was decades of under-investment in the French territory.
The paralyzing strike by 37 unions was called off after the French government pledged an aid package worth billions of euros.
Guiana, home to some 250,000 people, has been administered as a French region since the end of the 18th century.
The labor action had delayed two other launches as well, and Arianespace chief executive officer Stephane Israel has estimated the total loss at about 500,000 euros ($546,000) per day for the company and its partners. (Agence France Presse)
