A telecommunications satellite built for a Dublin-based company was successfully placed in orbit last night after being lifted into space aboard Russia's most powerful commercial booster.
Russian space officials said the satellite detached from the launcher as planned.
The massive launcher broke through the earth's atmosphere and the satellite detached during the night.
It has been under construction for three years for Solaris Mobile.
The company was established in Dublin last year as a joint venture between Europe's two leading satellite operators, Eutelsat and SES Astra, with the promise that it would create up to 50 jobs here over three years.
Solaris Mobile is focused on the emerging market for mobile satellite services in Europe.
This satellite will enable the broadcasting of television, video and radio to handheld mobile devices.
