The mission lifted off at 02:20 AM local time, 06:20 AM in Rome, from the Kourou European Space Centre in French Guiana, and lasted for a total of 27 minutes and 23 seconds. EUTELSAT 65 WEST A was correctly placed into a geostationary transfer orbit.

This is the 273rd mission carried out by the European family of launchers, which includes the VEGA – a next-generation launcher designed and built by AVIO through its ELV subsidiary. The two motors produced by AVIO provided the necessary thrust to Ariane 5 in the first 120 seconds after take-off.

Ariane 5 is ready for its first flight in 2016: on January 27, a European launcher will propel the Intelsat 29e satellite into orbit. This will be the 273rd mission carried out by the European family of launchers, which includes the VEGA – a next-generation launcher designed and built by AVIO through its ELV subsidiary.