The crossing is described as an "automatic half-barrier" type and the lowering of the barriers is preceded by flashing signals.

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Either type of race takes competitors through terrain so challenging, simply crossing the finishing line is considered a victory.

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With all three vehicles, Arianespace, the company that runs Kourou, will now be able to offer satellite operators a ride for any type of spacecraft to all kinds of orbit - from the low, pole-crossing orbits used by Earth observation missions, to the high, geostationary locations favoured by big telecommunications platforms.

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