European Satellite Launcher Set for First Commercial Blast Off

This handout satellite image made available on February 11, 2025 by the European Space Agency and captured by the Copernicus Sentinel-2 mission on April 02, 2024, shows the Amsterdam Island, that is part of France's French Southern and Antarctic Lands in the Indian Ocean. (Photo by Handout / COPERNICUS SENTINEL-2 / AFP)
This handout satellite image made available on February 11, 2025 by the European Space Agency and captured by the Copernicus Sentinel-2 mission on April 02, 2024, shows the Amsterdam Island, that is part of France's French Southern and Antarctic Lands in the Indian Ocean. (Photo by Handout / COPERNICUS SENTINEL-2 / AFP)
TT
20

European Satellite Launcher Set for First Commercial Blast Off

This handout satellite image made available on February 11, 2025 by the European Space Agency and captured by the Copernicus Sentinel-2 mission on April 02, 2024, shows the Amsterdam Island, that is part of France's French Southern and Antarctic Lands in the Indian Ocean. (Photo by Handout / COPERNICUS SENTINEL-2 / AFP)
This handout satellite image made available on February 11, 2025 by the European Space Agency and captured by the Copernicus Sentinel-2 mission on April 02, 2024, shows the Amsterdam Island, that is part of France's French Southern and Antarctic Lands in the Indian Ocean. (Photo by Handout / COPERNICUS SENTINEL-2 / AFP)

After several postponements, Europe's Ariane 6 launcher will carry out its first commercial mission on Monday when it puts a French military intelligence satellite into space.

The launch from the Kourou base in French Guiana is key to Europe's efforts to build up its security autonomy amid the shocks caused by the US-Russia diplomatic rapprochement.

"The whole world is watching us," Arianespace chief executive David Cavailloles told AFP this month.

Ariane 5 was retired in 2023 and Europe has not been able to use Russia's Soyuz rocket for satellite launches since Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine.

Ariane 6 underwent a successful test in July last year and is scheduled to carry out five launches this year.

First scheduled in December, the launch was put back until February 26 and then March 3 because of problems getting the satellite to the Kourou base, according to Arianespace.

"All launches have risks. Problems can happen with the launcher, with the satellite. We make sure that everything is ready and if it needs a few extra weeks, a few extra months, it is not a problem," said Lionel Suchet, head of France's National Center for Space Studies (CNES).

Given the military role of the satellite being put into space, strict security precautions are being taken to limit access at the base while three Rafale fighter jets will patrol the surrounding skies.

"The satellite has to be protected. It has special instruments that must not be seen by just anybody," said Catherine Leveau, CNES director of space transport.

The CSO-3 satellite will complete a network of three French military satellites, with the first two launched in 2018 and 2020 by Soyuz.

The satellites "strengthen" France's military autonomy, according to CNES defence consultant Philippe Steininger.

Some of the images taken by CSO-3 will be shared with the German and Belgian militaries that have invested in the satellites.

Sweden also has access to some images in exchange for letting France use its space research center near the Arctic town of Kiruna.



Rains from Typhoon Wipha Batter Hong Kong as it Heads for Mainland China

Collapsed bamboo scaffolds of a residential building are seen as Typhoon Wipha approaches, in Hong Kong, China, July 20, 2025. REUTERS/Tyrone Siu
Collapsed bamboo scaffolds of a residential building are seen as Typhoon Wipha approaches, in Hong Kong, China, July 20, 2025. REUTERS/Tyrone Siu
TT
20

Rains from Typhoon Wipha Batter Hong Kong as it Heads for Mainland China

Collapsed bamboo scaffolds of a residential building are seen as Typhoon Wipha approaches, in Hong Kong, China, July 20, 2025. REUTERS/Tyrone Siu
Collapsed bamboo scaffolds of a residential building are seen as Typhoon Wipha approaches, in Hong Kong, China, July 20, 2025. REUTERS/Tyrone Siu

Rain pounded Hong Kong on Sunday as Typhoon Wipha skirted southwards, packing winds exceeding 167 kph (103 mph), disrupting 400 flights and public transport, felling hundreds of trees, and damaging a construction site.

Just after 4 p.m. on Sunday, weather authorities lowered the typhoon signal in the Asian financial hub to 8 from the maximum of 10, which had been hoisted for nearly seven hours, while more than 110 mm (4 inches) of rain fell within three hours.

Much of the rain concentrated on the northern region neighbouring the mainland, the city's observatory said, warning of more to come.

In a statement, the government said 26 people sought treatment in public hospitals, while 253 flocked to its shelters, and 471 fallen trees were reported, Reuters reported.

In North Point near the city's harbour, large swathes of scaffolding were swept off a residential building and onto the road.

As Wipha tracks westward across the South China Sea it is expected to make landfall later on Sunday between Zhuhai and Zhanjiang in the southern province of Guangdong, state-run broadcaster CCTV said.

Authorities in neighbouring Macau, the world's biggest gambling hub, also downgraded the typhoon signal to 8 from 10, warning of flooding in its inner harbour area and urging residents to stay safe, public broadcaster TDM said.

Hong Kong's airport authority said 80,000 travellers were hit by the rescheduling of 400 flights forced by the typhoon.

Cathay Pacific Airways cancelled all flights with Hong Kong airport between 5 a.m. and 6 p.m. on Sunday. It waived ticket change fees and arranged for rebooking.

Most public transport in Hong Kong was suspended, including ferries amid high sea swells.