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Ariane 5
Description
Ariane 5 was a European heavy-lift space launch vehicle developed and operated by Arianespace for the European Space Agency (ESA). It was launched from the Centre Spatial Guyanais in French Guiana. It has been used to deliver payloads into geostationary transfer orbit (GTO) or low Earth orbit (LEO). Since its first launch, Ariane 5 has been refined in successive versions: "G", "G+", "GS", "ECA", and most recently, "ES". The system has a commonly used dual-launch capability, where up to two large geostationary belt communication satellites can be mounted using a SYLDA (Système de Lancement Double Ariane, "Ariane Double-Launch System") carrier system.
Missions
117
Success Rate
97.0%
Successes
112
Failures
2
Success Streak
20
Partial Failures
3
Previous
Syracuse 4B & Heinrich Hertz
JUICE (Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer)
Configurations
Ariane 5 GS
Active 2005 to 2009
Rocket
Diameter: 5.4m
Height: 47m
Payload to Orbit
GTO: 6,600 kg
Stages
2
Strap-ons
2
Ariane 5 G+
Active in 2004
Price
$190.00 million
Rocket
Diameter: 5.4m
Payload to Orbit
GTO: 7,100 kg
Stages
2
Strap-ons
2
Ariane 5 G
Active 1996 to 2003
Rocket
Diameter: 5.4m
Height: 52m
Payload to Orbit
GTO: 6,900 kg
Liftoff Thrust
11,400 Kilonewtons
Stages
2
Strap-ons
2
Ariane 5 ES
Active 2008 to 2018
Rocket
Diameter: 5.4m
Height: 50.5m
Payload to Orbit
LEO: 21,000 kg
Liftoff Thrust
15,120 Kilonewtons
Fairing
Diameter: 5.4m
Height: 17m
Stages
2
Strap-ons
2
Ariane 5 ECA
Active 2002 to 2023
Price
$200.00 million
Rocket
Diameter: 5.4m
Height: 53m
Payload to Orbit
LEO: 21,000 kg
GTO: 10,500 kg
Liftoff Thrust
15,120 Kilonewtons
Fairing
Diameter: 5.4m
Height: 17m
Stages
2
Strap-ons
2