After suffering a weather delay and delays involving a power supply anomaly in ground systems, Ariane 5 ECA finally launched the TIBA-1 and Inmarsat 5-F5 (aka GX 5) communications satellites into geostationary transfer orbit (GTO) at 2123 GMT on 26 November from Kourou, French Guiana. Both satellites will use their on-board propulsion systems to circularise their orbits into the geostationary operational positions. The launch – flight number VA250 – was the 250th of all the Ariane 1-5 series of rockets since their first flight in 1979.
Ariane 5 ECA on flight VA250. The 250th flight in the Ariane series. Courtesy: Arianespace