Egypts TIBA-1 geostationary satellite was also part of the payload and will be used for Egypts civil and government communications.
Arianespace has successfully launched Inmarsat GX5 satellite and Egypts TIBA-1 into the orbit. The two satellites on board the Ariane 5 rocket separated from the rocket’s upper stage about half an hour after liftoff.
The launch took place on November 26, 2019 from the Guiana Space Center (CSG), Europes Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana (South America).
TIBA-1, the first satellite to deploy, is a satellite for Egypt that will be used for civil and government communications. It was developed by Thales Alenia Space and Airbus Defense and Space.
Inmarsat GX5 is a mobile communications satellite built by Thales Alenia Space for Inmarsat. It will provide mobile services across the Middle East, Europe and the Indian sub-continent.
The launch also marked the 250th launch by Arianespace since 1979.
Following the launch, Arianespace CEO Stéphane Israël said: Arianespace is very proud to have launched the 250th Ariane on our eighth mission of the year, for Thales Alenia Space and Airbus Defence and Space on behalf of the Government of Egypt, and for a leading operator, Inmarsat, which has entrusted Ariane for 10 of its satellite launches. Over the past 40 years, the Ariane family has guaranteed both autonomous access to space for Europe and record availability for customers from around the world. Therefore, Arianespace fulfills its fundamental mission: to put space at the service of a better life on Earth. And the Ariane story will continue next year with the advent of Ariane 6, that perfectly addresses the evolving needs of our customers.
