Kourou

ESA Space Center

 

Promptly at 18h34 Nov 11, the launch commenced. A sudden bright flash, catching most of us by surprise, since it was nearly impossible to hear a countdown being called.

 

This lauch carried two satellites into orbit, one for Saudi Arabia and one for India. After the launch they handed these stickers out.

 

The visitors center as seen from the mountain

 

All of a sudden, lights came on at the launch pad, and the huge Ariane V launch vehicle was clearly visible - with proper magnification (e.g. my 300mm tele-lens)

 

Then a bright flash and rumble and the craft lifted off

 

And the peculiar sound of a large rocket engine burning fuel

 

 

 

 

 

 

A 16 second video

 

The rocket went high over our heads toward the ocean

 

 

 

 

 

Booster separation was perfectly visible

 

 

A successful launch and the end of a near perfect day

 

 

 

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