A rocket that blasted off from French Guiana successfully placed two communications satellites into orbit Saturday, launch firm Arianespace said. The Ariane 5 rocket took off at 2204 GMT from Kourou, the European Space Agency's space centre in the South American territory, the company said in a statement. Two satellites on board -- belonging to the intergovernmental provider Intelsat and Japan's Broadcasting Satellite System Corporation -- were later successfully placed into orbit, Arianespace said. A servicing vehicle that will dock with other satellites in orbit was also deployed, it added. The launch -- the first for Arianespace since activities at Kourou were halted in March due to the coronavirus -- had originally been scheduled for July 28 but was delayed to allow for more "technical inspections". Another delay followed due to "the unexpected behaviour of one sensor" for a liquid hydrogen tank. On Thursday the launch was delayed for a third time due to unfavourable wind conditions. Arianespace is a launch operator that puts satellites into orbit for the European Commission and European Space Agency. Guiana, which is home to about 250,000 people, has been administered as a French region since the end of the 18th century. lc/pvh/rma/axn