PHOTOS: Ariane blasts off from jungle launch pad

An Ariane 5 rocket launched from its jungle spaceport in South America on Thursday, soaring to orbit with Azerbaijan's first satellite and a Spanish-owned spacecraft to beam Internet and television services across Latin America.

Liftoff occurred at 2136 GMT (4:36 p.m. EST; 6:36 p.m. local time), or around sunset in French Guiana.

See our Mission Status Center for the latest news on the launch.

Credit: ESA/CNES/Arianespace/Optique du video CSG/JM Guillon

Credit: ESA/CNES/Arianespace/Optique du video CSG/S Martin

Credit: ESA/CNES/Arianespace/Optique du video CSG/JM Guillon

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