Arianespace officials gave their final approval for the Dec. 18 mission that will launch the French Helios 2A military reconnaissance satellite on an Ariane 5 rocket. The rocket also is carrying six small-sat auxiliary payloads.

Arianespace said the liftoff is scheduled for 1:26 p.m. local time from the company’s spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana. It said because its payloads are being deployed into Sun-synchronous orbit, liftoff is set for a precise time rather than inside a traditional launch window.