This milestone confirmed that the heavy-lift launcher and its dual-satellite payload – comprised of TIBA-1 and Inmarsat GX5 – are flight-ready, along with the Spaceport’s infrastructure and the network of downrange tracking stations.

With approval granted, Ariane 5 is cleared for tomorrow’s rollout from the Final Assembly Building to the ELA-3 launch zone. Liftoff will occur the following day during a 1-hour, 35-minute launch window that opens at 6:08 p.m. local time in French Guiana.

Ariane 5 will deliver a total payload lift performance of approximately 10,495 kg. on the mission to geostationary transfer orbit (GTO), which is designated Flight VA250. This total includes the two satellite passengers, plus the workhorse vehicle’s dual-payload deployment system and integration hardware.

Dual-payload deployment by Ariane 5

To be deployed first during the flight sequence is TIBA-1 – a communications spacecraft for the Government of Egypt, developed by Thales Alenia Space and Airbus Defence and Space as co-prime contractors, with Thales Alenia Space acting as lead partner of the contract.

Inmarsat GX5 – which was produced by Thales Alenia Space and will be released after TIBA-1 – is a very high throughput communications satellite that will be fully integrated into Inmarsat’s current Global Xpress high-speed network.

Arianespace’s November 22 mission will mark the eighth flight in 2019 by its launch vehicle family – which consists of the heavy-lift Ariane 5, medium-size Soyuz and lightweight Vega. It will be the fourth this year using Ariane 5.

• A larger version of the graphic above is available in the Gallery.

Launch window for Flight VA250:

More details are available in the VA250 launch kit: