In photos: Ariane 5 rocket lofts 2 satellites into orbit for Eutelsat, India

In its first launch of the year, Arianespace (opens in new tab) successfully used an Ariane 5 rocket (opens in new tab) to launch two new communications satellites into orbit for Eutelsat and India. The rocket lifted off from the Guiana Space Center (opens in new tab) in French Guiana on Jan. 16, at 4:05 p.m. EST (6:05 p.m. local time, 2105 GMT). It then deployed the Eutelsat Konnect and GSAT-30 satellites into orbit. See photos of the mission here!

Full Story: Ariane 5 launches satellites for India, Eutelsat into orbit (opens in new tab)

An Ariane 5 rocket rises between the silhouettes of two palm trees as it lifts off into the cloud-covered evening sky in Kourou, French Guiana, in this photo from Arianespace's first launch of the year.

The Ariane 5 rocket lifted off into a cloud-covered sky, right on time, at 6:05 p.m. local time in French Guiana (4:05 p.m. EST or 2105 GMT).

Smoke billows out from below the Ariane 5 rocket as it lifts off from ELA-3 at the Guiana Space Center. 

An Ariane 5 rocket lifts off from the Guiana Space Center near Kourou, French Guiana, carrying the Eutelsat Konnect and GSAT-30 communications satellites into orbit.

The Ariane 5 rocket soars into space, emerging from a blanket of clouds that obstructed the view for the first minute after liftoff.

The Ariane 5 rocket is seen shortly before its two solid rocket boosters separated. 

One of the two solid rocket boosters is seen separating from the rocket in this view from an on-board camera. 

Both of the rocket's solid boosters separated successfully after 2 minutes and 21 seconds of flight. Here, they are seen moving away from the rocket's main stage.

The Ariane 5 rocket stands ready for launch at the Guiana Space Center on the evening before its mission.

The Ariane 5 rocket is transported from the Final Assembly Building to the ELA-3 launch zone.

The Ariane 5 rocket is transported from the Final Assembly Building to the ELA-3 launch zone.

The Ariane 5 rocket nears the launch site at the Guiana Space Center's ELA-3 after leaving the Final Assembly Building.

The Ariane 5 rocket arrives at the ELA-3 launch site at the Guiana Space Center.

The Indian Space Research Organisation's GSAT-30 communications satellite is readied for launch. 

The upper composite of the Ariane 5 rocket — composed of Eutelsat Konnect, the SYLDA payload dispenser system and a protective payload fairing — is lowered over GSAT-30 in preparation for launch.

GSAT-30 is lowered for installation on the Ariane 5 rocket's core stage.

The Ariane 5 rocket stands ready for launch at the Guiana Space Center's ELA-3 launch site.

The Ariane 5 rocket stands ready for launch at the Guiana Space Center's ELA-3 launch site.

The Ariane 5 rocket stands ready for launch at the Guiana Space Center's ELA-3 launch site.