A Vega launch vehicle carrying two satellites was launched from the Kourou Cosmodrome in French Guiana. The broadcast is hosted by the Arianespace launch operator on its YouTube channel.

The rocket launched Thailand’s Theos-2 surface observation satellite and the Taiwan Space Agency’s Formosat-7R/Triton weather satellite into orbit.

Originally the start was scheduled for Friday evening (Saturday night Moscow time). However, the countdown was interrupted while the rocket was on the launch pad. This was cited as a “slight redundancy” of parameters; The company did not specify what specific equipment was checked. As a result, the launch was postponed until Sunday evening (Monday night Moscow time).

The ground research satellite Theos-2 was developed by Airbus Defense and Space at the behest of Thailand. The 425kg device can take ultra-high-resolution images of the planet’s surface and is designed to aid in safety as well as disaster prevention and response.

Formosat-7R/Triton was developed by the Taiwan Space Agency and is equipped with global navigation system equipment. Arianespace explains that this device will allow scientists to calculate wind flows over the oceans and transmit the data to meteorologists, helping to predict the intensity and trajectory of typhoons.