Japanese and French satellites put into orbit

KOUROU, French Guiana, Aug 12 (Reuters) An Ariane-5 rocket blasted off from French Guiana putting into orbit a Japanese civilian communications satellite and a French military communications satellite, officials said.

The launch took place at Europe's space base in Kourou, on the northeast coast of South America at 7.15 p.m. (0345 hrs IST).

Twenty-seven minutes after the launch, the rocket released into orbit a JCSAT-10 satellite for Japan's JSAT Corporation.

Five minutes later the rocket released Syracuse 3B, a military communications satellite for France's Defence Ministry.

It was the third Ariane rocket launch this year.

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