At 15:12:02 CEST, at the beginning of a 55-minute launch window, the Herschel and Planck satellite pair lifted off on board an Ariane 5 from Europe's Spaceport in French Guiana.
The satellites are expected to separate from the rocket about half an hour after launch, and establish their first contact with Earth about 10 minutes after separation.
Lift-off for Herschel and Planck at 15:12:02 CEST on 14 May 2009. Credit: ESA - S. Corvaja, 2009
Ariane 5 enclosing Herschel and Planck lift off, at Europe's Spaceport on 14 May 2009. Credit: ESA - S. Corvaja, 2009