Inmarsat-5 F5

VA250 was the 250th flight of the Ariane 1-5 rocket series, which began in 1979. A first attempt on 22 November was scrubbed 20 minutes before liftoff by a ground power supply anomaly, and weather pushed the launch back a further day.

The upper passenger, TIBA-1, is an Egyptian government communications satellite built by Thales Alenia Space and Airbus Defence and Space, bound for a slot at 35.5° East. Inmarsat-5 F5, also designated GX5, was the fifth Global Xpress Ka-band satellite, completing the constellation.