Arianespace Launches Inmarsat GX5, TIBA-1 Satellites

Arianespace launching an Ariane 5 rocket carrying the TIBA-1 and Inmarsat GX5 satellites. Photo: Arianespace

Arianespace successfully orbited two geostationary satellites: TIBA-1, for Thales Alenia Space and Airbus Defence and Space on behalf of the Government of Egypt; and GX5 for the operator Inmarsat. The launch took place on Tuesday, Nov. 26, at 18:23 p.m. (local time) from the Guiana Space Center (CSG), Europe’s Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana. On Nov. 25, Arianespace had postponed the launch. 

TIBA-1 is a civil and government telecommunications satellite for Egypt developed by Thales Alenia Space and Airbus Defense and Space as co-prime contractors. TIBA-1 will be owned and operated by the government of Egypt. Inmarsat GX5 is a mobile communications satellite built by Thales Alenia Space for Inmarsat. It will provide mobile services across the Middle East, Europe and the Indian sub-continent.

Following the launch, Arianespace Chief Executive Officer Stéphane Israël said: “Arianespace is very proud to have launched the 250th Ariane on our eighth mission of the year, for Thales Alenia Space and Airbus Defence and Space on behalf of the Government of Egypt, and for a leading operator, Inmarsat, which has entrusted Ariane for 10 of its satellite launches.