The Syracuse 4B satellite was successfully launched onboard the Ariane 5 rocket, its final mission before it retires. Pictured is the Syracuse 4A satellite. (Thales Alenia Space)

France's Syracuse 4B military satellite was successfully launched onboard the Ariane 5 rocket from the Guiana Space Centre on 6 July, the Directorate General of Armament (Direction générale de l'armement: DGA) announced.

The satellite will become operational in nine months, once it reaches geostationary orbit and undergoes a full series of tests, the DGA said.

Syracuse 4B is a satellite communications (satcom) system based on Airbus's Eurostar E3000 fully electric platform, which is equipped with in-orbit proximity surveillance. The satellite comes under the wider EUR3.6 billion (USD3.9 billion) Syracuse IV programme, launched in 2015. The programme involves the complete renewal of the Syracuse III satellites and ground stations, with Airbus Defence and Space and Thales Alenia Space as prime contractors.

The Syracuse 4B satellite was successfully launched onboard the Ariane 5 rocket, its final mission before it retires. Pictured is the Syracuse 4A satellite. (Thales Alenia Space)

France's Syracuse 4B military satellite was successfully launched onboard the Ariane 5 rocket from the Guiana Space Centre on 6 July, the Directorate General of Armament (Direction générale de l'armement: DGA) announced.

The satellite will become operational in nine months, once it reaches geostationary orbit and undergoes a full series of tests, the DGA said.

Syracuse 4B is a satellite communications (satcom) system based on Airbus's Eurostar E3000 fully electric platform, which is equipped with in-orbit proximity surveillance. The satellite comes under the wider EUR3.6 billion (USD3.9 billion) Syracuse IV programme, launched in 2015. The programme involves the complete renewal of the Syracuse III satellites and ground stations, with Airbus Defence and Space and Thales Alenia Space as prime contractors.

The Syracuse 4B satellite was successfully launched onboard the Ariane 5 rocket, its final mission before it retires. Pictured is the Syracuse 4A satellite. (Thales Alenia Space)

France's Syracuse 4B military satellite was successfully launched onboard the Ariane 5 rocket from the Guiana Space Centre on 6 July, the Directorate General of Armament (Direction générale de l'armement: DGA) announced.

The satellite will become operational in nine months, once it reaches geostationary orbit and undergoes a full series of tests, the DGA said.

Syracuse 4B is a satellite communications (satcom) system based on Airbus's Eurostar E3000 fully electric platform, which is equipped with in-orbit proximity surveillance. The satellite comes under the wider EUR3.6 billion (USD3.9 billion) Syracuse IV programme, launched in 2015. The programme involves the complete renewal of the Syracuse III satellites and ground stations, with Airbus Defence and Space and Thales Alenia Space as prime contractors.

The Syracuse 4B satellite was successfully launched onboard the Ariane 5 rocket, its final mission before it retires. Pictured is the Syracuse 4A satellite. (Thales Alenia Space)

France's Syracuse 4B military satellite was successfully launched onboard the Ariane 5 rocket from the Guiana Space Centre on 6 July, the Directorate General of Armament (Direction générale de l'armement: DGA) announced.

The satellite will become operational in nine months, once it reaches geostationary orbit and undergoes a full series of tests, the DGA said.

Syracuse 4B is a satellite communications (satcom) system based on Airbus's Eurostar E3000 fully electric platform, which is equipped with in-orbit proximity surveillance. The satellite comes under the wider EUR3.6 billion (USD3.9 billion) Syracuse IV programme, launched in 2015. The programme involves the complete renewal of the Syracuse III satellites and ground stations, with Airbus Defence and Space and Thales Alenia Space as prime contractors.

The Syracuse 4B satellite was successfully launched onboard the Ariane 5 rocket, its final mission before it retires. Pictured is the Syracuse 4A satellite. (Thales Alenia Space)

France's Syracuse 4B military satellite was successfully launched onboard the Ariane 5 rocket from the Guiana Space Centre on 6 July, the Directorate General of Armament (Direction générale de l'armement: DGA) announced.

The satellite will become operational in nine months, once it reaches geostationary orbit and undergoes a full series of tests, the DGA said.

Syracuse 4B is a satellite communications (satcom) system based on Airbus's Eurostar E3000 fully electric platform, which is equipped with in-orbit proximity surveillance. The satellite comes under the wider EUR3.6 billion (USD3.9 billion) Syracuse IV programme, launched in 2015. The programme involves the complete renewal of the Syracuse III satellites and ground stations, with Airbus Defence and Space and Thales Alenia Space as prime contractors.

The Syracuse 4B satellite was successfully launched onboard the Ariane 5 rocket, its final mission before it retires. Pictured is the Syracuse 4A satellite. (Thales Alenia Space)

France's Syracuse 4B military satellite was successfully launched onboard the Ariane 5 rocket from the Guiana Space Centre on 6 July, the Directorate General of Armament (Direction générale de l'armement: DGA) announced.

The satellite will become operational in nine months, once it reaches geostationary orbit and undergoes a full series of tests, the DGA said.

Syracuse 4B is a satellite communications (satcom) system based on Airbus's Eurostar E3000 fully electric platform, which is equipped with in-orbit proximity surveillance. The satellite comes under the wider EUR3.6 billion (USD3.9 billion) Syracuse IV programme, launched in 2015. The programme involves the complete renewal of the Syracuse III satellites and ground stations, with Airbus Defence and Space and Thales Alenia Space as prime contractors.