Ariane 5 rocket on the eve of launch

Loaded with two communications satellites, an Ariane 5 rocket rolled to its launch pad in French Guiana on Wednesday for final preparations ahead of Thursday's liftoff.

The two-stage rocket, boosted by two strap-on solid-fueled motors, will blast off from the Guiana Space Center during a 62-minute launch window opening at 2121 GMT (5:21 p.m. EDT) Thursday.

It's carrying Malaysia Measat 3b and Australia's Optus 10 communications satellites to provide direct-to-home television broadcasts.

The photos show the 1.7-mile rollout of the rocket from its final assembly building, then views of the Ariane 5 after it arrived on the launch pad.

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

Photo credit: ESA/CNES/Arianespace - Optique Video du CSG - P. Baudon

Photo credit: ESA/CNES/Arianespace - Optique Video du CSG - P. Baudon

Photo credit: ESA/CNES/Arianespace - Optique Video du CSG - P. Baudon

Photo credit: ESA/CNES/Arianespace - Optique Video du CSG - P. Baudon

Photo credit: ESA/CNES/Arianespace - Optique Video du CSG - P. Baudon

Photo credit: ESA/CNES/Arianespace - Optique Video du CSG - P. Baudon

Photo credit: ESA/CNES/Arianespace - Optique Video du CSG - P. Baudon

Photo credit: ESA/CNES/Arianespace - Optique Video du CSG - P. Baudon

Photo credit: ESA/CNES/Arianespace - Optique Video du CSG - P. Piron

Photo credit: ESA/CNES/Arianespace - Optique Video du CSG - P. Piron

Photo credit: ESA/CNES/Arianespace - Optique Video du CSG - P. Piron

Photo credit: ESA/CNES/Arianespace - Optique Video du CSG - P. Piron

Photo credit: ESA/CNES/Arianespace - Optique Video du CSG - P. Piron

Photo credit: ESA/CNES/Arianespace - Optique Video du CSG - P. Piron

Photo credit: ESA/CNES/Arianespace - Optique Video du CSG - P. Piron