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The UK Space Agency has reported on a flawless launch which has delivered Hylas-1 into space. The satellite was released on 26 NOvember 2010 into its transfer orbit after a textbook launch by an Ariane 5 vehicle from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana.

Hylas-1 will be owned and operated by Avanti Communications plc of the UK, and its key payload constituents have been developed by EADS Astrium in the framework of ESA’s Advanced Research in Telecommunication Systems (ARTES) programme, through funding essentially from the UK Space Agency.

Hylas-1 – is the first superfast broadband satellite to be launched outside the United States. Its highly adaptable payload will automatically allocate varying amounts of power and bandwidth to the different regions within its footprint, reacting to the highs and lows of traffic demand. This means that between 150,000 and 300,000 users can access HYLAS at any one time and receive fast broadband at cost effective prices.

Avanti is already in advanced development of a second satellite called Hylas-2 which will be launched in spring 2012 and will provide further coverage across Europe and also provide a footprint in the Middle East and parts of Africa. The combined capacity of the two satellites will be one million consumers.

You can view video highlights of the mission and lift-off on the Arianespace website.