Awwal 19, 1432, April 23, 2011, SPA -- A European rocket carrying satellites to provide telecommunications service to Africa and the Middle East, was launched late Friday, the European Arianespace company said. The Intelsat New Dawn was the first African satellite ever to be carried into orbit by an Arianespace rocket. The satellite will provide wireless backhaul, broadband and media content to African clients, according to a report of the German Press Agency "DPA". The other satellite, Yahsat Y1A, belongs to the al-Yah Satellite Communications Company of the United Arab Emirates and is intended to provide relay services to Africa, Europe, the Middle East and South-West Asia. The two satellites weigh a combined 9,000 kilograms. Both were released into orbit about 30 minutes after blastoff.