When is the Arianespace launch?
The Ariane 5 ECA rocket is due to launch between 10.20pm and 11.05pm on Thursday January 25.
Carrying two communications satellites as its payload, the rocket will blast off from Guiana Space Center in Kourou, French Guiana.
Its mission description reads: “For its first launch of 2018, Arianespace will use an Ariane 5 from the Guiana Space Center (CSG) in French Guiana to launch the SES-14 and Al Yah 3 satellites for operators SES and Yahsat (Al Yah Satellite Communications Company).
“With this 295th mission of its launcher family – the 241st utilising an Ariane launcher – Arianespace serves the ambitions of leading satellite operators, both globally and regionally.”
How to watch the rocket launch
The entire launch sequence will be available to view for free online. Express.co.uk will have the live stream closer to the launch.
The stream will start about 15 minutes before liftoff, according to Arianespace, and will be available on all computers, consoles and mobile devices.
What is Arianespace?
Founded in 1980 in France as the world’s first commercial launch service, Arianespace’s mission is to “guarantee independent access to space for Europe”.
The company has launched more than 550 satellites into orbit since its inception nearly 40 years ago.
Aside from France, a number of European countries hold shares in Arianespace. These include: Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Itlay, Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.
In the early and mid-noughties Arianespace was the go-to company for firing satellites into space.
However, it has recently come under fierce competition from Elon Musk’s SpaceX and, in 2015, was forced to make significant cutbacks.
Managing director Richard Bowles said at the time: “It’s quite clear there’s a very significant challenge coming from SpaceX.
“Therefore things have to change … and the whole European industry is being restructured, consolidated, rationalised and streamlined.
“If you’re going to reduce costs then what does that mean? It means a reduction in jobs – SpaceX is achieving a lot with a lot fewer people than there are present in the European industry.”
Despite going through a rough patch, Arianespace is working on its new Ariane 6 vehicle, which could make its maiden voyage in 2020.