BY SPACEFLIGHT NOW

Follow the launch of Arianespace's Ariane 5 rocket carrying the Spaceway 2 and Telkom 2 communications spacecraft. Reload this page for the latest on the mission.

0025 GMT (7:25 p.m. EST Wed.)

Arianespace chief executive officer Jean-Yves LeGall says tonight's launch has been a success. It is Ariane 5's 10th success in a row.

0020 GMT (7:20 p.m. EST Wed.)

Plus+34 minutes, 14 seconds. SPACECRAFT SEPARATION! The Telkom 2 communications satellite has been released from the Ariane 5 rocket's upper stage, completing tonight's launch.

The Indonesian Telkom 2 has 24 C-band transponders to transmit telecommunications services across Southeast Asia. The craft was built by Orbital Sciences.

0018 GMT (7:18 p.m. EST Wed.)

Plus+32 minutes, 30 seconds. Confirmation has now been received that the barrel-like Sylda structure was released. This exposes the Telkom 2 satellite still riding the upper stage.

0017 GMT (7:17 p.m. EST Wed.)

Plus+31 minutes, 30 seconds. Altitude is 1,974 km, velocity is 8.36 km/sec.

0016 GMT (7:16 p.m. EST Wed.)

Plus+30 minutes. In about 90 seconds, the "Sylda" payload adapter between Spaceway and the Telkom 2 satellite will be jettisoned.

0013 GMT (7:13 p.m. EST Wed.)

Plus+27 minutes, 58 seconds. SPACECRAFT SEPARATION! The Spaceway F2 communications satellite has been released from the Ariane 5 rocket's upper stage.

The spacecraft will use its Ka-Band payload to expand and enhance DIRECTV's direct-to-home television service and provide broadband services across the United States. Boeing built this satellite.

0013 GMT (7:13 p.m. EST Wed.)

Plus+27 minutes. Altitude is 1,057 km, velocity is 9.02 km/sec.

0011 GMT (7:11 p.m. EST Wed.)

Plus+25 minutes, 30 seconds. Altitude is 812 km, velocity is 9.22 km/sec.

0010 GMT (7:10 p.m. EST Wed.)

Plus+24 minutes, 54 seconds. The new cryogenic upper stage for Ariane 5 has just shut down to complete its burn for tonight's launch. The stage will prepare for deployment of the two satellite payloads a few minutes from now.

0010 GMT (7:10 p.m. EST Wed.)

Plus+24 minutes. Altitude is 607 km, velocity is 9.2 km/sec.

0009 GMT (7:09 p.m. EST Wed.)

Plus+23 minutes. Less than two minutes of propulsion remains in the upper stage. Altitude is 501 km, velocity is 9.0 km/sec.

0008 GMT (7:08 p.m. EST Wed.)

Plus+22 minutes. Altitude is 411 km, velocity is 8.9 km/sec.

0006 GMT (7:06 p.m. EST Wed.)

Plus+20 minutes. Just under five minutes remain in this firing of the upper stage. Altitude is 261 km, velocity is 8.6 km/sec.

0005 GMT (7:05 p.m. EST Wed.)

Plus+19 minutes. Altitude is 238 km, velocity is 8.44 km/sec.

0004 GMT (7:04 p.m. EST Wed.)

Plus+18 minutes. System performance on the upper stage still reported normal. Altitude is 207 km, velocity is 8.3 km/sec.

0003 GMT (7:03 p.m. EST Wed.)

Plus+17 minutes. Altitude is 184 km, velocity is 8.1 km/sec.

0002 GMT (7:02 p.m. EST Wed.)

Plus+16 minutes. Altitude is 170 km, velocity is 7.97 km/sec.

0001 GMT (7:01 p.m. EST Wed.)

Plus+15 minutes. The vehicle is beginning its upward climb again. Altitude is 161 km, velocity is 7.8 km/sec.

0000 GMT (7:00 p.m. EST Wed.)

Plus+14 minutes, 15 seconds. Altitude is 158 km, velocity is 7.68 km/sec.

2358 GMT (6:58 p.m. EST)

Plus+12 minutes, 55 seconds. Altitude is 157 km, velocity is 7.48 km/sec.

2358 GMT (6:58 p.m. EST)

Plus+12 minutes. The new upper stage's burn remains in progress. Altitude is 158 km, velocity is 7.34 km/sec.

2357 GMT (6:57 p.m. EST)

Plus+11 minutes. Altitude is 160 km, velocity is 7.2 km/sec.

2356 GMT (6:56 p.m. EST)

Plus+10 minutes, 35 seconds. The rocket's trajectory and upper stage systems are normal, Arianespace says.

2356 GMT (6:56 p.m. EST)

Plus+10 minutes. Altitude is 161 km, velocity is 7.06 km/sec.

2355 GMT (6:55 p.m. EST)

Plus+9 minutes, 19 seconds. The new cryogenic upper stage of the Ariane 5 ECA rocket has ignited!

2355 GMT (6:55 p.m. EST)

Plus+9 minutes, 01 seconds. The main cryogenic stage's Vulcain engine has cut off and the spent stage has separated. It will fall back into the atmosphere prior to completing an orbit of Earth.

2354 GMT (6:54 p.m. EST)

Plus+8 minutes, 15 seconds. First stage systems are reported by Arianespace to be working normally.

2354 GMT (6:54 p.m. EST)

Plus+8 minutes. Coming up on main stage shutdown in about a minute. Altitude is 162 km, velocity is 5.6 km/sec.

2353 GMT (6:53 p.m. EST)

Plus+7 minutes. Altitude is 164 km, velocity is 4.56 km/sec.

2352 GMT (6:52 p.m. EST)

Plus+6 minutes. The rocket's climb is leveling out. This temporary trajectory is needed in order to gain speed. Altitude is 162 km, velocity is 3.7 km/sec.

2351 GMT (6:51 p.m. EST)

Plus+5 minutes. The main stage continues to fire. Altitude is 151 km, velocity is 3.0 km/sec.

2350 GMT (6:50 p.m. EST)

Plus+4 minutes. Altitude is 130 km, velocity is 2.54 km/sec.

2349 GMT (6:49 p.m. EST)

Plus+3 minutes, 35 seconds. Arianespace says the protective payload fairing enclosing the payload has been separated from the Ariane 5.

2349 GMT (6:49 p.m. EST)

Plus+3 minutes. Altitude is 96 km, velocity is 2.16 km/sec.

2348 GMT (6:48 p.m. EST)

Plus+2 minutes, 30 seconds. The solid rocket boosters have been jettisoned from the Ariane 5 rocket's core stage. The liquid-fueled Vulcain 2 main engine continues to fire to propel the vehicle and its satellite payload to space.

2347 GMT (6:47 p.m. EST)

Plus+1 minute, 30 seconds. About one minute left in the burn by the solid rocket boosters. The boosters are providing 90 percent of the liftoff thrust.

2347 GMT (6:47 p.m. EST)

Plus+60 seconds. The vehicle is on the proper trajectory as it rides the power of the twin solid rocket boosters and main stage liquid-fueled engine.

2346 GMT (6:46 p.m. EST)

Plus+30 seconds. Pitch and roll maneuvers has been performed by the Ariane 5 vehicle to position itself on the correct eastward heading.

2346 GMT (6:46 p.m. EST)

LIFTOFF! Liftoff of the Arianespace Ariane 5 ECA heavy-lift rocket carrying a pair of commercial communications spacecraft. And the vehicle has cleared the tower!

2345 GMT (6:45 p.m. EST)

Minus-50 seconds. The vehicle is switching to internal power.

2345 GMT (6:45 p.m. EST)

Minus-1 minute. A fast-paced series of events leading to launch will begin at Minus-37 seconds when the automated ignition sequence is started. The water suppression system at the launch pad will start at Minus-30 seconds. At Minus-22 seconds, overall control will be given to the onboard computer. The residual hydrogen burn flares will fire beneath the Vulcain engine at Minus-6 seconds to burn away any free hydrogen gas. At Minus-3 seconds, onboard systems take over and the two inertial guidance systems go to flight mode. Vulcain main engine ignition occurs at Minus-0 seconds with checkout between Plus+4 and 7 seconds. If there are no problems found, the solid rocket boosters are ignited at Plus+7.0 seconds for liftoff at Plus+7.3 seconds.

2344 GMT (6:44 p.m. EST)

Minus-2 minutes. The Vulcain 2 main engine supply valves are being opened. Also, the ground valves for engine chilldown are being closed.

2343 GMT (6:43 p.m. EST)

Minus-3 minutes. The scheduled launch time has been loaded into the rocket's main computer system. The main stage tank pressures should now be at flight level.

2342 GMT (6:42 p.m. EST)

Minus-4 minutes. Pressurization is now underway for the main cryogenic stage's liquid oxygen and hydrogen tanks. Also, final pyrotechnic arming is starting.

2340 GMT (6:40 p.m. EST)

Minus-6 minutes and counting. Liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen supplies of the main and upper cryogenic stages are being verified at flight level. Also, the pyrotechnic line safety barriers are being armed.

2339 GMT (6:39 p.m. EST)

Minus-7 minutes and counting. The Synchronized Sequence is starting. Computers are now in control of this final segment of the launch countdown to prepare the rocket and ground systems for liftoff. There are two computers running the countdown -- one aboard the Ariane 5 and a redundant one at the ELA-3 launch complex.

2334 GMT (6:34 p.m. EST)

Minus-12 minutes and counting. Status panels in the control center are green, indicating all systems are "go" for liftoff.

2332 GMT (6:32 p.m. EST)

Minus-14 minutes and counting. All appears to be proceeding for liftoff of the Ariane 5 rocket at 2346 GMT. The vehicle's main stage and upper stage have been fueled with their super-cold liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen propellants. The countdown is headed to the Synchronized Sequence that assumes control of the clock in the final seven minutes to launch.

2246 GMT (5:46 p.m. EST)

Liftoff time is now 60 minutes away for launch of Ariane 5 with American and Indonesian communications satellite payloads aboard.

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2005

The countdown is progressing in Kourou for tonight's launch, Arianespace says. Electrical system checks were conducted this morning, followed by the precursor steps for fueling the vehicle's main stage and new cryogenic upper stage with liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen. Loading of the rocket's supply tanks is reported to be underway.

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2005

Countdown clocks have been reset to target liftoff Wednesday evening during a window of 2346 to 0031 GMT (6:46-7:31 p.m. EST).

Riding atop its repaired mobile launch platform, the Arianespace Ariane 5 rocket was rolled from its final assembly hangar to the pad at the Guiana Space Center in South America this morning. The nearly-two-mile trip took about an hour.

The rocket will spend the night exposed on its open-air launch pad as crews move through pre-flight activities. The vehicle will be loaded with cryogenic propellant Wednesday afternoon.

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2005

The Ariane 5 rocket was being rolled back to its assembly building from the pad Sunday to fix problems that scrubbed Saturday's launch countdown.

Arianespace says "minor problems with the ground support infrastructure" were to blame for the postponement. Another launch attempt is expected "in the coming days," the European launch firm said Sunday.

"The Ariane 5 will be returned from the ELA-3 launch zone to the Spaceport's final assembly building today to resolve the minor problems, which involve the mobile launch table on which the heavy-lift vehicle is installed," the Arianespace press statement said.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2005
2323 GMT (6:23 p.m. EST)

Arianespace just confirmed tonight's scheduled mission to deploy two commercial communications satellites -- slated for launch a half-hour from now -- was thwarted by technical problems earlier today. No details about the postponement were given.

The European launch provider says plans for reattempting the liftoff will be announced later.

"The heavy-lift Ariane 5 ECA and its payload of Spaceway 2 for DIRECT TV and Telkom 2 for PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia remain in a safe stand-by mode at Europe's Spaceport in French Guiana," a press statement posted moments ago said.

2055 GMT (3:55 p.m. EST)

There may be technical problems that are forcing a scrub of today's countdown. We're awaiting official word from Arianespace.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2005

An Arianespace Ariane 5 ECA rocket will launch the Spaceway F2 broadcasting satellite for DIRECTV and the Indonesian Telkom 2 communications spacecraft from South America on Saturday evening.

The launch window extends from 2345 to 0030 GMT (6:45-7:30 p.m. EST).

The flight was postponed earlier this week by undisclosed reasons.

This will be the fourth Ariane 5 of 2005 and second using the more-powerful ECA version.

The final countdown began this morning at the Launch-Minus 11 hour, 30 minute mark. That was followed by a check of electrical systems. Fueling of the first stage and new cryogenic upper stage with super-cold load of liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen is set to commence in the final five hours before liftoff time.

The countdown will enter the synchronized launch sequence about seven minutes prior to launch. Next will be a fast-paced series of automated events transitioning the rocket and payload to internal power, pressurizing fuel tanks, and taking systems to flight mode. The Vulcain engine will come to life, followed by ignition of the solid rocket boosters and liftoff.

The twin boosters will burn for 2 minutes, 19 seconds, and the payload fairing will be released at Plus+3 minutes, 14 seconds. The cryogenic first stage will exhaust its propellant resources at Plus+8 minutes, 56 seconds, followed six seconds later by the jettisoning. After separation, the cryo upper stage will ignite to begin its 15.5-minute burn to finish the Ariane 5's ascent, shutting down at Plus+24 minutes, 41 seconds.

Spaceway F2 deployment is set for 27 minutes, 24 seconds into the mission. Telkom 2 will be released at Plus+33 minutes, 22 seconds.

Watch this page for live updates during the launch.