Skip to main content
Space Space
Subscribe
RSS
All About Space Magazine
All About Space Magazine
Why subscribe?
  • September Sale: Get 6 issues for just £9.99!
  • Jam packed issues filled with the latest cutting-edge research, technology and theories delivered in an entertaining and visually stunning way, aiming to educate and inspire readers of all ages
  • Engaging articles, breathtaking images and expert knowledge
  • Issues delivered straight to your door
From$3.99
View
  • News
  • Astronomy
  • Spaceflight
  • The Moon
  • Our Solar System
  • Skywatching
  • More
    • Videos
    • Search for LIfe
    • Technology
    • Entertainment
    • Reference
    • SpaceX
    • Expert Voices
    • Forums
    • All Topics
    • Subscribe to "All About Space" Magazine!
    • Space.com Store
    • About Us
    • Web Notifications
Trending
  • OSIRIS-REx asteroid sample landing
  • Next Full Moon
  • Best Telescopes
  • Best Star Projectors
  • Space Calendar
  • Best Binoculars
  • Lego Star Wars deals
  • Best Drones
  • Solar System Planets
  • Night Sky Tonight
  • Russia-Ukraine war space impacts

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

  1. News
  2. Spaceflight

In Photos: Ariane 5 Rocket Launches DirecTV 16 and Eutelsat 7C Satellites

By Hanneke Weitering
published 20 June 2019

A Sunset Liftoff
(Image credit: Arianespace)

A Sunset Liftoff

An Ariane 5 rocket successfully launched two new communications satellites, DirecTV 16 and Eutelsat 7C, into orbit on June 20, 2019. See photos of the mission in this gallery!

HERE: The Ariane 5 rocket is pictured soaring into space during a beautiful sunset, 26 seconds after liftoff. 

Full Story: Ariane 5 Rocket Lofts 2 Satellites Into Orbit in Gorgeous Sunset Launch

Page 1 of 11
Page 1 of 11
3, 2, 1 ... Blast Off!
(Image credit: Arianespace)

3, 2, 1 ... Blast Off!

The Ariane 5 rocket lifted off from the Guiana Space Center in Kourou, French Guiana right on time, at 5:43 p.m. EDT (2143 GMT). 

Page 2 of 11
Page 2 of 11
Ariane 5 Takes to the Skies
(Image credit: Arianespace)

Ariane 5 Takes to the Skies

Despite the scattered thunderstorms in the area on launch day, the mission lifted off into surprisingly clear skies. 

Page 3 of 11
Page 3 of 11
Stage Separation
(Image credit: Arianespace)

Stage Separation

The rocket's two side boosters are clearly visible after stage separation. 

Page 4 of 11
Page 4 of 11
The Launch Site
(Image credit: Stéphane Israël/Arianespace/Twitter)

The Launch Site

The Ariane 5 rocket designated VA248 is transferred to the launch pad at Europe's spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana, ahead of its planned launch of the T-16 and Eutelsat 7C communications satellites. 

Page 5 of 11
Page 5 of 11
Ariane 5 Ready to Roll
(Image credit: Stéphane Israël/Arianespace/Twitter)

Ariane 5 Ready to Roll

The Ariane 5 rocket designated VA248 is readied for its trek from the assembly facility over to the launch pad at Europe's spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana. 

Page 6 of 11
Page 6 of 11
The Ariane 5
(Image credit: Stéphane Israël/Arianespace/Twitter)

The Ariane 5

The Ariane 5 rocket designated VA248 is transferred to the launch pad at Europe's spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana, ahead of its planned launch of the T-16 and Eutelsat 7C communications satellites. 

Page 7 of 11
Page 7 of 11
Satellite Fit Check
(Image credit: Arianespace)

Satellite Fit Check

The Eutelsat 7C communications satellite undergoes a fit check validation in the clean room at the S5 payload preparation facility in Kourou, French Guiana.

Page 8 of 11
Page 8 of 11
Fueling Up
(Image credit: Arianespace)

Fueling Up

The T-16 communications satellite is filled with propellant at Europe's spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana.

Page 9 of 11
Page 9 of 11
DirecTV 16
(Image credit: AT&T)

DirecTV 16

An artist's rendering of the T-16 communications satellite, also known as DirecTV 16.

Page 10 of 11
Page 10 of 11
Eutelsat 7C
(Image credit: Eutelsat Communications)

Eutelsat 7C

A digital mockup of the Eutelsat 7C telecommunications satellite in orbit. 

Page 11 of 11
Page 11 of 11
Hanneke Weitering
Hanneke Weitering
Social Links Navigation
Contributing expert

Hanneke Weitering is a multimedia journalist in the Pacific Northwest reporting on the future of aviation at FutureFlight.aero and Aviation International News and was previously the Editor for Spaceflight and Astronomy news here at Space.com. As an editor with over 10 years of experience in science journalism she has previously written for Scholastic Classroom Magazines, MedPage Today and The Joint Institute for Computational Sciences at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. After studying physics at the University of Tennessee in her hometown of Knoxville, she earned her graduate degree in Science, Health and Environmental Reporting (SHERP) from New York University. Hanneke joined the Space.com team in 2016 as a staff writer and producer, covering topics including spaceflight and astronomy. She currently lives in Seattle, home of the Space Needle, with her cat and two snakes. In her spare time, Hanneke enjoys exploring the Rocky Mountains, basking in nature and looking for dark skies to gaze at the cosmos. 

More about spaceflight
a black-and-white spacex falcon 9 rocket launches into a blue sky.

SpaceX to launch 21 Starlink satellites from California early on Sept. 25

a cone-shaped capsule flies through space just above Earth's atmosphere

NASA's OSIRIS-REx spacecraft releases asteroid sample capsule toward Earth in flyby, heads to Apophis

Latest
Scientists take a closer look at the OSIRIS-REx capsule.

NASA's OSIRIS-REx capsule just landed with samples of asteroid Bennu. Next stop: Texas

See more latest ►
Most Popular
How NASA's OSIRIS-REx mission will help protect Earth against asteroid Bennu and its flyby in 2182

By Tereza PultarovaSeptember 23, 2023

OSIRIS-REx probe will bring pristine asteroid samples to Earth today. Watch it live

By Mike WallSeptember 23, 2023

Alien life may not be carbon-based, new study suggests

By Charles Q. ChoiSeptember 23, 2023

No, the OSIRIS-REx probe will not bring back asteroid space 'germs'

By Sharmila KuthunurSeptember 23, 2023

Astronauts on ISS gaze into the eye of Hurricane Nigel (photos)

By Samantha MathewsonSeptember 22, 2023

Will NASA's OSIRIS-REx stick its asteroid sample landing? Scientists are 'very much confident' as zero hour nears

By Brett TingleySeptember 22, 2023

India tries waking up Chandrayaan-3 moon lander, without success (so far)

By Tereza PultarovaSeptember 22, 2023

US Space Force launch may have accidentally punched a hole in the upper atmosphere

By Harry BakerSeptember 22, 2023

New poppy seed-sized fuel pellets could power nuclear reactors on the moon

By Harry BakerSeptember 22, 2023

Green comet Nishimura survives its superheated slingshot around the sun. Will we get another chance to see it?

By Harry BakerSeptember 22, 2023

Tom Hanks would clean toilets for a chance to go to space: report

By Elizabeth HowellSeptember 22, 2023

  1. Scientists take a closer look at the OSIRIS-REx capsule.
    1
    NASA's OSIRIS-REx capsule just landed with samples of asteroid Bennu. Next stop: Texas
  2. 2
    NASA's OSIRIS-REx lands samples of asteroid Bennu to Earth after historic 4-billion-mile journey
  3. 3
    SpaceX to launch 21 Starlink satellites from California early on Sept. 25
  4. 4
    NASA's OSIRIS-REx spacecraft releases asteroid sample capsule toward Earth in flyby, heads to Apophis
  5. 5
    Spending time in space can harm the human body — but scientists are working to mitigate these risks before sending people to Mars

Space is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

  • About Us
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Terms and conditions
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Topics
  • Advertise with us
  • Web notifications
  • Careers

© Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.