The SPOT 5 Earth observation satellite was successfully placed into orbit by an Ariane 4 launch vehicle from the Guiana Space Centre, Kourou, at 1H 31 mn GMT local time during the night of 3 to 4 May 2002.

Satellite positioning operations and checkout of the satellite's systems went according to plan. The solar panels delivering power to the satellite deployed correctly, and the attitude control system is maintaining the satellite in Earth-pointing configuration. The imaging instruments -- HRS, HRG and VEGETATION 2 -- are now set to be switched on and the first images confirming that the system is functioning correctly are expected very soon.