Jean-Jacques Dordain (left), ESA Director General, and Jean-Yves Le Gall (right), CEO Arianespace, after the successful launch of Ariane 5 ES-ATV from Europe's Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana. On board was Jules Verne ATV, ESA's first Automated Transfer Vehicle. Lifoff was at 05:03 CET (04:03 UT) on Sunday 9 March 2008.