WASHINGTON Arianespace has captured three more launch contracts for flights over the next year, the European launch firm announced Monday. Of the three contracts, two are for U.S. customers and the third is for the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO). All three have flown on Ariane previously.

The three contracts cover launches on either Ariane 4 or 5 during the period from third quarter 1999 to third quarter 2000. The ISRO will launch the Insat 3A satellite in mid-2000.

The contract marks the eighth Indian satellite to be launched by Arianespace in a partnership that dates from 1981 when Ariane was used to launch Indias research test satellite, Apple. Since then, Insat 1B was launched in July 1988, Insat 2A in July 1992, Insat 2B in July 1993, Insat 2C in December 1995, Insat 2D in June 1997, and Insat 2E last April. A seventh, unnamed satellite is scheduled to be launched for India at the end of this year.

The two U.S. contracts are for Panamsat and Loral, both long-time Ariane customers. Panamsat will fly an undisclosed satellite on either Ariane 4 or 5 during 2000, marking the 17th launch contract with Arianespace. Currently, three additional Panamsat satellites are scheduled for Ariane launches: PAS 1R, Galaxy 11, and Galaxy 10R. Panamsat operates 18 satellites serving customers on five continents.

Space Systems Loral will launch the Telstar 7 aboard an Ariane 4 in late September. The contract is a conversion of a previous Loral Globalstar constellation launch agreement. The three contracts make a total of 202 satellite launch orders since the firm was founded in March 1980. The launch order book backlog now stands at 43 satellites.