Arianespace opened a new chapter in space history today with a milestone double mission success that marked the Soyuz launcher’s inaugural flight from French Guiana, and which placed Europe’s first two Galileo navigation satellites into orbit. Transitioning from preliminary thrust level to its full thrust output while on the launch pad, the no. 1 Soyuz is seconds away from lifting off from French Guiana.

Arianespace Flight - VS01 / Two Galileo satellites

Arianespace was founded in 1980 as the world’s first satellite launch company. Today, it has 21 shareholders from 10 European countries (including CNES with 34%, Astrium with 30% and all European companies participating in the Ariane 5 programme). Since its creation, Arianespace has signed contracts with 78 customers and launched with Ariane launchers 298 payloads, accounting for more than half of the commercial satellites now in service worldwide.

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Arianespace Flight - VS01 / Two Galileo satellites

Arianespace Flight - VS01 / Two Galileo satellites