Ariane 5 launches two satellites

Ariane 5 has returned to service with its first launch of 2021, lifting off at 21:00 UTC on Friday, July 30. Flight VA254 launched two satellites (Star One D2 and Eutelsat Quantum communications satellites) into GTO orbit from launch facility in French Guiana.

During the Ariane flights in February and August 2020, the redesigned fairings induced vibrations into the payload forcing Arianespace to stop flights of the Ariane 5 and investigate the issue.

Flight VA254 was successful and both payloads were deployed and after coasting to apogee of 35,726 kilometers, they’ll circularize their orbits.