Europe’s Ariane 5 launch vehicle rolls to its ELA-3 launch pad at the Guiana Space Center to get ready to haul a pair of heavy communications satellites into orbit to deliver TV and banking services.

The two satellites part of the Ariane 5 VA230 flight are prepared for liftoff from the Guiana Space Center. EchoStar 18 and BRIsat, together with their various adapters, are the heaviest payload lofted into Geostationary Transfer Orbit by the Ariane 5 workhorse.

Europe’s Ariane 5 workhorse launch vehicle is assembled at the Guiana Space Center for the VA230 mission tasked with lifting the EchoStar 18 commercial communications satellite and BRISat, the first dedicated banking satellite.