Ariane 5

Ariane 5 is a European heavy-lift space launch vehicle developed and operated by Arianespace for the European Space Agency (ESA). It is launched from the Centre Spatial Guyanais (CSG) in French Guiana. It has been used to deliver payloads into geostationary transfer orbit (GTO) or low Earth orbit (LEO). The launch vehicle had a streak of 82 consecutive successful launches between 9 April 2003 and 12 December 2017. Since 2014,[4] Ariane 6, a direct successor system, is in development.[5]

Ariane 5
Ariane 5 flight VA-256 on the launch pad with the James Webb Space Telescope in December 2021.
FunctionHeavy launch vehicle
ManufacturerArianeGroup
for ESA
Country of origin
Cost per launch€139–185 million [1]
Size
Height46–52 m (151–171 ft)
Diameter5.4 m (18 ft)
Mass777,000 kg (1,713,000 lb)
Stages2
Capacity
Payload to Low Earth orbit
Altitude260 km (160 mi) (circular)
Orbital inclination51.6°
MassG: 16,000 kg (35,000 lb)
ES: over 20,000 kg (44,000 lb)[2]
Payload to GTO
Mass
  • G: 6,950 kg (15,320 lb)
  • G+: 6,950 kg (15,320 lb)
  • GS: 6,100 kg (13,400 lb)
  • ECA: 10,865 kg (23,953 lb)[3]
Associated rockets
FamilyAriane
Comparable
Launch history
Status
  • G: Retired
  • G+: Retired
  • GS: Retired
  • ECA: Active
  • ES: Retired
Launch sitesCentre Spatial Guyanais, ELA-3
Total launches114
  • G: 16
  • G+: 3
  • GS: 6
  • ECA: 81
  • ES: 8
Success(es)109
  • G: 13
  • G+: 3
  • GS: 6
  • ECA: 79
  • ES: 8
Failure(s)2 (G: 1, ECA: 1)
Partial failure(s)3 (G: 2, ECA: 1)
First flight
  • G: 4 June 1996
  • G+: 2 March 2004
  • GS: 11 August 2005
  • ECA: 11 December 2002
  • ES: 9 March 2008
Last flight
  • G: 27 September 2003
  • G+: 18 December 2004
  • GS: 18 December 2009
  • ECA: 7 September 2022
  • ES: 25 July 2018
People or cargo transported
Boosters (G, G+) – EAP P238
No. boosters2
Height31.6 m (104 ft)
Diameter3.06 m (10.0 ft)
Gross mass270 t (270 long tons; 300 short tons)
Powered byP238
Maximum thrust6,650 kN (1,490,000 lbf)
Total thrust13,300 kN (3,000,000 lbf)
Burn time130 seconds
PropellantAP, Aluminium, HTPB
Boosters (GS, ECA, ES) – EAP P241
No. boosters2
Height31.6 m (104 ft)
Diameter3.06 m (10.0 ft)
Empty mass33 t (32 long tons; 36 short tons)
Gross mass273 t (269 long tons; 301 short tons)
Powered byP241
Maximum thrust7,080 kN (1,590,000 lbf)
Total thrust14,160 kN (3,180,000 lbf)
Burn time140 seconds
PropellantAP, Aluminium, HTPB
Core stage (G, G+, GS) – EPC H158
Height23.8 m (78 ft)
Diameter5.4 m (18 ft)
Empty mass12,200 kg (26,900 lb)
Gross mass170,500 kg (375,900 lb)
Powered byG, G+: Vulcain 1
GS: Vulcain 1B
Maximum thrust1,015 kN (228,000 lbf) (vacuum)
Specific impulse440 seconds (vacuum)
Burn time605 seconds
PropellantLH2 / LOX
Core stage (ECA, ES) – EPC H173
Height23.8 m (78 ft)
Diameter5.4 m (18 ft)
Empty mass14,700 kg (32,400 lb)
Gross mass184,700 kg (407,200 lb)
Powered byVulcain 2
Maximum thrust960 kN (220,000 lbf)
(sea level)
1,390 kN (310,000 lbf) (vacuum)
Specific impulse310 seconds (sea level)
432 seconds (vacuum)
Burn time540 seconds
PropellantLH2 / LOX
Second stage (G) – EPS L9.7
Height3.4 m (11 ft)
Diameter5.4 m (18 ft)
Empty mass1,200 kg (2,600 lb)
Gross mass10,900 kg (24,000 lb)
Powered byAestus
Maximum thrust27 kN (6,100 lbf)
Burn time1100 seconds
PropellantMMH / N2O4
Second stage (G+, GS, ES) – EPS L10
Height3.4 m (11 ft)
Diameter5.4 m (18 ft)
Empty mass1,200 kg (2,600 lb)
Gross mass11,200 kg (24,700 lb)
Powered byAestus
Maximum thrust27 kN (6,100 lbf)
Burn time1170 seconds
PropellantMMH / N2O4
Second stage (ECA) – ESC-A
Height4.711 m (15.46 ft)
Diameter5.4 m (18 ft)
Empty mass4,540 kg (10,010 lb)
Gross mass19,440 kg (42,860 lb)
Powered byHM7B
Maximum thrust67 kN (15,000 lbf)
Specific impulse446 seconds
Burn time945 seconds
PropellantLH2 / LOX

The system was designed as an expendable launch system by the Centre national d'études spatiales (CNES), the French government's space agency, in cooperation with various European partners. Despite not being a direct derivative of its predecessor launch vehicle program, it is classified as part of the Ariane rocket family. ArianeGroup is the prime contractor for the manufacturing of the vehicles, leading a multi-country consortium of other European contractors. Ariane 5 was originally intended to launch the Hermes spacecraft, and thus it is rated for human space launches.

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, meaning "Ariane Double-Launch System") carrier system. Up to three, somewhat smaller, main satellites are possible depending on size using a SPELTRA (Structure Porteuse Externe Lancement Triple Ariane, which translates to "Ariane Triple-Launch External Carrier Structure"). Up to eight secondary payloads, usually small experiment packages or minisatellites, can be carried with an ASAP (Ariane Structure for Auxiliary Payloads) platform.

Following the launch of 15 August 2020, Arianespace signed the contracts for the last eight Ariane 5 launches, before it is succeeded by the new Ariane 6 launcher, according to Daniel Neuenschwander, director of space transportation at the ESA.[6][5]

Vehicle description

Cryogenic main stage

Vulcain engine

Ariane 5's cryogenic H173 main stage (H158 for Ariane 5G, G+, and GS) is called the EPC (Étage Principal Cryotechnique — Cryotechnic Main Stage). It consists of a 5.4 m (18 ft) diameter by 30.5 m (100 ft) high tank with two compartments, one for liquid oxygen and one for liquid hydrogen, and a Vulcain 2 engine at the base with a vacuum thrust of 1,390 kN (310,000 lbf). The H173 EPC weighs about 189 t (417,000 lb), including 175 t (386,000 lb) of propellant.[7] After the main cryogenic stage runs out of fuel, it re-enters the atmosphere for an ocean splashdown.

Solid boosters

Attached to the sides are two P241 (P238 for Ariane 5G and G+) solid rocket boosters (SRBs or EAPs from the French Étages d'Accélération à Poudre), each weighing about 277 t (611,000 lb) full and delivering a thrust of about 7,080 kN (1,590,000 lbf). They are fueled by a mix of ammonium perchlorate (68%) and aluminium fuel (18%) and HTPB (14%). They each burn for 130 seconds before being dropped into the ocean. The SRBs are usually allowed to sink to the bottom of the ocean, but, like the Space Shuttle Solid Rocket Boosters, they can be recovered with parachutes, and this has occasionally been done for post-flight analysis. Unlike Space Shuttle SRBs, Ariane 5 boosters are not reused. The most recent attempt was for the first Ariane 5 ECA mission in 2009. One of the two boosters was successfully recovered and returned to the Guiana Space Center for analysis.[8] Prior to that mission, the last such recovery and testing was done in 2003.

The French M51 submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) shares a substantial amount of technology with these boosters.

In February 2000, the suspected nose cone of an Ariane 5 booster washed ashore on the South Texas coast, and was recovered by beachcombers before the government could get to it.[9]

Second stage

EPS Upper Stage used on Ariane 5ES

The second stage is on top of the main stage and below the payload. The original Ariane — Ariane 5G — used the EPS (Étage à Propergols Stockables — Storable Propellant Stage), which was fueled by monomethylhydrazine (MMH) and nitrogen tetroxide, containing 10,000 kg (22,000 lb) of storable propellant. The EPS was subsequently improved for use on the Ariane 5G+, GS, and ES.

The EPS upper stage is capable of repeated ignition, first demonstrated during flight V26 which was launched on 5 October 2007. This was purely to test the engine, and occurred after the payloads had been deployed. The first operational use of restart capability as part of a mission came on 9 March 2008, when two burns were made to deploy the first Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV) into a circular parking orbit, followed by a third burn after ATV deployment to de-orbit the stage. This procedure was repeated for all subsequent ATV flights.

Ariane 5ECA uses the ESC (Étage Supérieur Cryotechnique — Cryogenic Upper Stage), which is fueled by liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen. The ESC uses the HM7B engine previously used in the Ariane 4 third stage. The propellent load of 14.7 tonne allows the engine to burn for 945 seconds while providing 6.5 tonne of thrust. The ESC provides roll control during powered flight and full attitude control during payload separation using hydrogen gas thrusters. Oxygen gas thrusters allow longitudinal acceleration after engine cutoff. The flight assembly includes the Vehicle Equipment Bay, with flight electronics for the entire rocket, and the payload interface and structural support.[10][11]

Fairing

The payload and all upper stages are covered at launch by a fairing for aerodynamic stability and protection from heating during supersonic flight and acoustic loads. It is jettisoned once sufficient altitude has been reached, typically above 100 km (62 mi). It is made by Ruag Space and since flight VA-238 it is composed of 4 panels.[12]

Variants

Variant Description
G The original version is dubbed Ariane 5G (Generic) and had a launch mass of 737 t (1,625,000 lb). Its payload capability to geostationary transfer orbit (GTO) was 6,900 kg (15,200 lb) for a single satellite or 6,100 kg (13,400 lb) for dual launches. It flew 17 times with one failure and two partial failures.[13]
G+ The Ariane 5G+ had an improved EPS second stage, with a GTO capacity of 7,100 kg (15,700 lb) for a single payload or 6,300 kg (13,900 lb) for two. It flew three times in 2004, with no failures.[14]
GS At the time of the failure of the first Ariane 5ECA flight in 2002, all Ariane 5 launchers in production were ECA versions. Some of the ECA cores were modified to use the original Vulcain engine and tank volumes while the failure was investigated; these vehicles were designated Ariane 5GS. The GS used the improved EAP boosters of the ECA variant and the improved EPS of the G+ variant, but the increased mass of the modified ECA core compared to the G and G+ core resulted in slightly reduced payload capacity.[15] Ariane 5GS could carry a single payload of 6,600 kg (14,600 lb) or a dual payload of 5,800 kg (12,800 lb) to GTO. The Ariane 5GS flew 6 times from 2005 to 2009 with no failures.[16]
ECA The Ariane 5ECA (Evolution Cryotechnique type A), first successfully flown in 2005, uses an improved Vulcain 2 first-stage engine with a longer, more efficient nozzle with a more efficient flow cycle and denser propellant ratio. The new ratio required length modifications to the first-stage tanks. The EPS second stage was replaced by the ESC-A (Etage Supérieur Cryogénique-A), which has a dry weight of 4,540 kg (10,010 lb) and is powered by an HM-7B engine burning 14,900 kg (32,800 lb) of cryogenic propellant. The ESC-A uses the liquid oxygen tank and lower structure from the Ariane 4's H10 third stage, mated to a new liquid hydrogen tank. Additionally, the EAP booster casings were lightened with new welds and carry more propellant. The Ariane 5ECA started with a GTO launch capacity of 9,100 kg (20,100 lb) for dual payloads or 9,600 kg (21,200 lb) for a single payload.[17] Later batches: PB+ and PC, increased the max payload to GTO to 11,115 kg (24,504 lb).[3]
ES The Ariane 5ES (Evolution Storable) has an estimated LEO launch capacity of 21,000 kg (46,000 lb). It includes all the performance improvements of Ariane 5ECA core and boosters but replaces the ESC-A second stage with the restartable EPS used on Ariane 5GS variants. It was used to launch the Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV) into a 260 km (160 mi) circular low Earth orbit inclined at 51.6° and has been used 3 times to launch 4 Galileo navigation satellites at a time directly into their operational orbit.[2] The Ariane 5ES flew 8 times from 2008 to 2018 with no failures.
ME The Ariane 5ME (Mid-life Evolution) was under development until the end of 2014. The last ESA ministerial council of December 2014 has cut further funding for Ariane 5ME in favour of developing Ariane 6. Last activities for Ariane 5ME were completed at the end of 2015. Activities on development of the VINCI upper stage were transferred to Ariane 6.

Launch system status:   Retired ·   Cancelled ·   Operational ·   Under development

Launch pricing and market competition

As of November 2014, the Ariane 5 commercial launch price for launching a "midsize satellite in the lower position" was approximately €50 million,[18] competing for commercial launches in an increasingly competitive market.

The heavier satellite is launched in the upper position on a typical dual-satellite Ariane 5 launch and is priced higher than the lower satellite,[19] on the order of €90 million as of 2013.[20][21]

Total launch price of an Ariane 5 – which can transport up to two satellites to space, one in the "upper" and one in the "lower" positions – was around €150 million as of January 2015.[21]

Cancelled plans for future developments

Belgian components produced for the Ariane 5 European heavy-lift launch vehicle explained

Ariane 5 ME

The Ariane 5 ME (Mid-life Evolution) was in development into early 2015, and was seen as a stopgap between Ariane 5ECA/Ariane 5ES and the new Ariane 6. With first flight planned for 2018, it would have become ESA's principal launcher until the arrival of the new Ariane 6 version. ESA halted funding for the development of Ariane 5ME in late 2014 to prioritize development of Ariane 6.[22]

The Ariane 5ME was to use a new upper stage, with increased propellant volume, powered by the new Vinci engine. Unlike the HM-7B engine, it was to be able to restart several times, allowing for complex orbital maneuvers such as insertion of two satellites into different orbits, direct insertion into geosynchronous orbit, planetary exploration missions, and guaranteed upper stage deorbiting or insertion into graveyard orbit.[23][24] The launcher was also to include a lengthened fairing up to 20 m (66 ft) and a new dual launch system to accommodate larger satellites. Compared to an Ariane 5ECA model, the payload to GTO was to increase by 15% to 11,500 kg (25,400 lb) and the cost-per-kilogram of each launch is projected to decline by 20%.[23]

Development

Originally known as the Ariane 5ECB, Ariane 5ME was to have its first flight in 2006. However, the failure of the first ECA flight in 2002, combined with a deteriorating satellite industry, caused ESA to cancel development in 2003.[25] Development of the Vinci engine continued, though at a lower pace. The ESA Council of Ministers agreed to fund development of the new upper stage in November 2008.[26]

In 2009, EADS Astrium was awarded a €200 million contract,[27] and on 10 April 2012 received another €112 million contract to continue development of the Ariane 5ME [28] with total development effort expected to cost €1 billion.[29]

On 21 November 2012, ESA agreed to continue with the Ariane 5ME to meet the challenge of lower priced competitors. It was agreed the Vinci upper stage would also be used as the second stage of a new Ariane 6, and further commonality would be sought.[24] Ariane 5ME qualification flight was scheduled for mid-2018, followed by gradual introduction into service.[23]

On 2 December 2014, ESA decided to stop funding the development of Ariane 5ME and instead focus on Ariane 6, which was expected to have a lower cost per launch and allow more flexibility in the payloads (using two or four P120C solid boosters depending on total payload mass).[22]

Solid propellant stage

Work on the Ariane 5 EAP motors has been continued in the Vega programme. The Vega 1st stage engine – the P80 engine – is a shorter derivation of the EAP.[30] The P80 booster casing is made of filament wound graphite epoxy, much lighter than the current stainless steel casing. A new composite steerable nozzle has been developed while new thermal insulation material and a narrower throat improve the expansion ratio and subsequently the overall performance. Additionally, the nozzle now has electromechanical actuators which have replaced the heavier hydraulic ones used for thrust vector control.

These developments will probably later make their way back into the Ariane programme.[24][31] The incorporation of the ESC-B with the improvements to the solid motor casing and an uprated Vulcain engine would deliver 27,000 kg (60,000 lb) to LEO. This would be developed for any lunar missions but the performance of such a design may not be possible if the higher Max-Q for the launch of this launch vehicle poses a constraint on the mass delivered to orbit.[32]

Ariane 6

The design brief of the next generation launch vehicle Ariane 6 called for a lower-cost and smaller launch vehicle capable of launching a single satellite of up to 6,500 kg (14,300 lb) to GTO.[33] However, after several permutations the finalized design was nearly identical in performance to the Ariane 5,[34] focusing instead on lowering fabrication costs and launch prices. As of March 2014, Ariane 6 was projected to be launched for about €70 million per flight, about half of the Ariane 5 price.[33]

Initially development of Ariane 6 was projected to cost €3.6 billion.[35] In 2017, the ESA set 16 July 2020 as the deadline for the first flight.[36] As of June 2022, Arianespace expects the maiden flight to occur in 2023.[37]

Notable launches

Ariane 5's first test flight (Ariane 5 Flight 501) on 4 June 1996 failed, with the rocket self-destructing 37 seconds after launch because of a malfunction in the control software.[38] A data conversion from 64-bit floating-point value to 16-bit signed integer value to be stored in a variable representing horizontal bias caused a processor trap (operand error)[39] because the floating-point value was too large to be represented by a 16-bit signed integer. The software had been written for the Ariane 4 where efficiency considerations (the computer running the software had an 80% maximum workload requirement[39]) led to four variables being protected with a handler while three others, including the horizontal bias variable, were left unprotected because it was thought that they were "physically limited or that there was a large margin of safety".[39] The software, written in Ada, was included in the Ariane 5 through the reuse of an entire Ariane 4 subsystem despite the fact that the particular software containing the bug, which was just a part of the subsystem, was not required by the Ariane 5 because it has a different preparation sequence than the Ariane 4.[39]

The second test flight (L502, on 30 October 1997) was a partial failure. The Vulcain nozzle caused a roll problem, leading to premature shutdown of the core stage. The upper stage operated successfully, but it could not reach the intended orbit. A subsequent test flight (L503, on 21 October 1998) proved successful and the first commercial launch (L504) occurred on 10 December 1999 with the launch of the XMM-Newton X-ray observatory satellite.

Another partial failure occurred on 12 July 2001, with the delivery of two satellites into an incorrect orbit, at only half the height of the intended GTO. The ESA Artemis telecommunications satellite was able to reach its intended orbit on 31 January 2003, through the use of its experimental ion propulsion system.

The next launch did not occur until 1 March 2002, when the Envisat environmental satellite successfully reached an orbit of 800 km (500 mi) above the Earth in the 11th launch. At 8,111 kg (17,882 lb), it was the heaviest single payload until the launch of the first ATV on 9 March 2008, at 19,360 kg (42,680 lb).

The first launch of the ECA variant on 11 December 2002 ended in failure when a main booster problem caused the rocket to veer off-course, forcing its self-destruction three minutes into the flight. Its payload of two communications satellites (STENTOR and Hot Bird 7), valued at about €630 million, was lost in the Atlantic Ocean. The fault was determined to have been caused by a leak in coolant pipes allowing the nozzle to overheat. After this failure, Arianespace SA delayed the expected January 2003 launch for the Rosetta mission to 26 February 2004, but this was again delayed to early March 2004 due to a minor fault in the foam that protects the cryogenic tanks on the Ariane 5. As of June 2017, the failure of the first ECA launch was the last failure of an Ariane 5; since then, 82 consecutive launches have been successful, from April 2003 with the launch of INSAT-3A and Galaxy 12 satellites,[40] to flight 240 in December 2017.

On 27 September 2003, the last Ariane 5G boosted three satellites (including the first European lunar probe, SMART-1), in Flight 162. On 18 July 2004, an Ariane 5G+ boosted what was at the time the heaviest telecommunication satellite ever, Anik F2, weighing almost 6,000 kg (13,000 lb).

The first successful launch of the Ariane 5ECA took place on 12 February 2005. The payload consisted of the XTAR-EUR military communications satellite, a 'SLOSHSAT' small scientific satellite and a MaqSat B2 payload simulator. The launch had been scheduled for October 2004, but additional testing and a military launch (of a Helios 2A observation satellite) delayed the attempt.

On 11 August 2005, the first Ariane 5GS (featuring the Ariane 5ECA's improved solid motors) boosted Thaicom 4, the heaviest telecommunications satellite to date at 6,505 kg (14,341 lb),[41] into orbit.

On 16 November 2005, the third Ariane 5ECA launch (the second successful ECA launch) took place. It carried a dual payload consisting of Spaceway F2 for DirecTV and Telkom-2 for PT Telekomunikasi of Indonesia. This was the launch vehicle's heaviest dual payload to date, at more than 8,000 kg (18,000 lb).

On 27 May 2006, an Ariane 5ECA launch vehicle set a new commercial payload lifting record of 8,200 kg (18,100 lb). The dual-payload consisted of the Thaicom 5 and Satmex 6 satellites.[42]

On 4 May 2007, the Ariane 5ECA set another new commercial record, lifting into transfer orbit the Astra 1L and Galaxy 17 communication satellites with a combined weight of 8,600 kg (19,000 lb), and a total payload weight of 9,400 kg (20,700 lb).[43] This record was again broken by another Ariane 5ECA, launching the Skynet 5B and Star One C1 satellites, on 11 November 2007. The total payload weight for this launch was of 9,535 kg (21,021 lb).[44]

On 9 March 2008, the first Ariane 5ES-ATV was launched to deliver the first ATV called Jules Verne to the International Space Station (ISS). The ATV was the heaviest payload ever launched by a European launch vehicle, providing supplies to the space station with necessary propellant, water, air and dry cargo. This was the first operational Ariane mission which involved an engine restart in the upper stage. The ES-ATV Aestus EPS upper stage was restartable while the ECA HM7-B engine was not.

On 1 July 2009, an Ariane 5ECA launched TerreStar-1 (now EchoStar T1), which was then, at 6,910 kg (15,230 lb), the largest and most massive commercial telecommunication satellite ever built at that time[45] until being overtaken by Telstar 19 Vantage, at 7,080 kg (15,610 lb), launched aboard Falcon 9. The satellite was launched into a lower-energy orbit than a usual GTO, with its initial apogee at roughly 17,900 km (11,100 mi).[46]

On 28 October 2010, an Ariane 5ECA launched Eutelsat's W3B (part of its W Series of satellites) and Broadcasting Satellite System Corporation (B-SAT)'s BSAT-3b satellites into orbit. But the W3B satellite failed to operate shortly after the successful launch and was written off as a total loss due to an oxidizer leak in the satellite's main propulsion system.[47] The BSAT-3b satellite, however, is operating normally.[48]

The VA253 launch on 15 August 2020 introduced two small changes that increased lift capacity by about 85 kg (187 lb); these were a lighter avionics and guidance-equipment bay, and modified pressure vents on the payload fairing, which were required for the subsequent launch of the James Webb Space Telescope. It also debuted a location system using Galileo navigation satellites.[49]

On 25 December 2021, VA256 launched the James Webb Space Telescope towards a Sun–Earth L2 halo orbit.[50] The precision of trajectory following launch led to fuel savings credited with potentially doubling the lifetime of the telescope by leaving more hydrazine propellant on-board for station-keeping than was expected.[50][51] According to Rudiger Albat, the program manager for Ariane 5, efforts had been made to select components for this flight that had performed especially well during pre-flight testing, including "one of the best Vulcain engines that we've ever built."[51]

GTO payload weight records

On 22 April 2011, the Ariane 5ECA flight VA-201 broke a commercial record, lifting Yahsat 1A and Intelsat New Dawn with a total payload weight of 10,064 kg (22,187 lb) to transfer orbit.[52] This record was later broken again during the launch of Ariane 5ECA flight VA-208 on 2 August 2012, lifting a total of 10,182 kg (22,447 lb) into the planned geosynchronous transfer orbit,[53] which was broken again 6 months later on flight VA-212 with 10,317 kg (22,745 lb) sent towards geosynchronous transfer orbit.[54] In June 2016, the GTO record was raised to 10,730 kg (23,660 lb),[55] on the first rocket in history that carried a satellite dedicated to financial institutions.[56] The payload record was pushed a further 5 kg (11 lb), up to 10,735 kg (23,667 lb) on 24 August 2016 with the launch of Intelsat 33e and Intelsat 36.[57] On 1 June 2017, the payload record was broken again to 10,865 kg (23,953 lb) carrying ViaSat-2 and Eutelsat-172B.[58] In 2021 VA-255 put 11,210 kg into GTO.

VA241 anomaly

On 25 January 2018, an Ariane 5ECA launched SES-14 and Al Yah 3 satellites. About 9 minutes and 28 seconds after launch, a telemetry loss occurred between the launch vehicle and the ground controllers. It was later confirmed, about 1 hour and 20 minutes after launch, that both satellites were successfully separated from the upper stage and were in contact with their respective ground controllers,[59] but that their orbital inclinations were incorrect as the guidance systems might have been compromised. Therefore, both satellites conducted orbital procedures, extending commissioning time.[60] SES-14 needed about 8 weeks longer than planned commissioning time, meaning that entry into service was reported early September instead of July.[61] Nevertheless, SES-14 is still expected to be able to meet the designed lifetime. This satellite was originally to be launched with more propellant reserve on a Falcon 9 launch vehicle since the Falcon 9, in this specific case, was intended to deploy this satellite into a high inclination orbit that would require more work from the satellite to reach its final geostationary orbit.[62] The Al Yah 3 was also confirmed healthy after more than 12 hours without further statement, and like SES-14, Al Yah 3's maneuvering plan was also revised to still fulfill the original mission.[63] As of 16 February 2018, Al Yah 3 was approaching the intended geostationary orbit, after series of recovery maneuvers had been performed.[64] The investigation showed that invalid inertial units' azimuth value had sent the vehicle 17° off course but to the intended altitude, they had been programmed for the standard geostationary transfer orbit of 90° when the payloads were intended to be 70° for this supersynchronous transfer orbit mission, 20° off norme.[65] This mission anomaly marked the end of 82nd consecutive success streak since 2003.[66]

Launch history

Launch statistics

Ariane 5 launch vehicles have accumulated 114 launches since 1996, 109 of which were successful, yielding a 95.6% success rate. Between April 2003 and December 2017, Ariane 5 flew 83 consecutive missions without failure, but the launch vehicle suffered a partial failure in January 2018.[67]

Rocket configurations

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
1996
2000
2004
2008
2012
2016
2020
  •   G
  •   G+
  •   GS
  •   ES
  •   ECA

Launch outcomes

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
1996
2000
2004
2008
2012
2016
2020
  •   Failure
  •   Partial failure
  •   Success

List of launches

All launches are from Centre Spatial Guyanais (CSG), Kourou, ELA-3.

# Flight no. Date
Time (UTC)
Rocket type
Serial no.
Payload Total payload mass (including launch adapters and SYLDA) Orbit Customers Launch
outcome
01 V-88[68] 4 June 1996
12:34
G
501
Cluster Failure
02 V-101 30 October 1997
13:43
G
502
MaqSat-H, TEAMSAT, MaqSat-B, YES Partial failure[69]
03 V-112 21 October 1998
16:37
G
503
MaqSat 3, ARD ~6,800 kg GTO Success
04 V-119 10 December 1999
14:32
G
504
XMM-Newton 3,800 kg HEO Success
05 V-128 21 March 2000
23:28[70]
G
505
INSAT-3B
AsiaStar
~5,800 kg GTO Success
06 V-130 14 September 2000
22:54[70]
G
506
Astra 2B
GE-7
~4,700 kg GTO Success
07 V-135 16 November 2000
01:07[70]
G
507
PanAmSat-1R
Amsat-P3D
STRV 1C
STRV 1D
~6,600 kg GTO Success
08 V-138 20 December 2000
00:26[70]
G
508
Astra 2D
GE-8
LDREX
~4,700 kg GTO Success
09 V-140 8 March 2001
22:51[70]
G
509
Eurobird-1
BSAT-2a
~5,400 kg GTO Success
10 V-142 12 July 2001
21:58[70]
G
510
Artemis
BSAT-2b
~5,400 kg GTO (planned)
MEO (achieved)
Partial failure
Upper stage underperformed, payloads were placed in a useless orbit. Artemis was raised to its target orbit at the expense of operational fuel; BSAT-2b was not recoverable.
11 V-145 1 March 2002
01:07[70]
G
511
Envisat 8,111 kg SSO Success
12 V-153 5 July 2002
23:22[70]
G
512
Stellat 5
N-STAR c
~6,700 kg GTO Success
13 V-155 28 August 2002
22:45[70]
G
513
Atlantic Bird 1
MSG-1
MFD
~5,800 kg GTO Success
14 V-157 11 December 2002
22:22[70]
ECA
517
Hot Bird 7
Stentor
MFD-A
MFD-B
GTO (planned) Failure
Maiden flight of Ariane 5ECA, first stage engine failure, rocket destroyed by range safety.
15 V-160 9 April 2003
22:52[70]
G
514
INSAT-3A
Galaxy 12
~5,700 kg GTO Success
16 V-161 11 June 2003
22:38[70]
G
515
Optus C1
BSAT-2c
~7,100 kg GTO Success
17 V-162 27 September 2003
23:14[70]
G
516
INSAT-3E
eBird-1
SMART-1
~5,600 kg GTO Success
Final flight of Ariane 5G
18 V-158 2 March 2004
07:17[70]
G+
518
Rosetta 3,011 kg Heliocentric Success
Maiden flight of Ariane 5G+
19 V-163 18 July 2004
00:44[70]
G+
519
Anik F2 5,950 kg GTO Success
20 V-165 18 December 2004
16:26[70]
G+
520
Helios 2A
Essaim-1
Essaim-2
Essaim-3
Essaim-4
PARASOL
Nanosat 01
4,200 kg SSO Success
Final flight of Ariane 5G+
21 V-164 12 February 2005
21:03[70]
ECA
521
XTAR-EUR
Maqsat-B2
Sloshsat-FLEVO
~8,400 kg GTO Success
22 V-166 11 August 2005
08:20[70]
GS
523
Thaicom 4 6,485 kg GTO Success
Maiden flight of Ariane 5GS
23 V-168 13 October 2005
22:32[70]
GS
524
Syracuse 3A
Galaxy 15
~6,900 kg GTO Success
24 V-167 16 November 2005
23:46[70]
ECA
522
Spaceway-2
Telkom-2
~9,100 kg GTO Success
25 V-169 21 December 2005
23:33[70]
GS
525
INSAT-4A
MSG-2
6,478 kg GTO Success
26 V-170 11 March 2006
22:33[70]
ECA
527
Spainsat
Hot Bird 7A
~8,700 kg GTO Success
27 V-171 27 May 2006
21:09[70]
ECA
529
Satmex-6
Thaicom 5
9,172 kg GTO Success
28 V-172 11 August 2006
22:15[70]
ECA
531
JCSAT-10
Syracuse 3B
~8,900 kg GTO Success
29 V-173 13 October 2006
20:56[70]
ECA
533
DirecTV-9S
Optus D1
LDREX-2
~9,300 kg GTO Success
30 V-174 8 December 2006
22:08[70]
ECA
534
WildBlue-1
AMC-18
~7,800 kg GTO Success
31 V-175 11 March 2007
22:03[70]
ECA
535
Skynet 5A
INSAT-4B
~8,600 kg GTO Success
32 V-176 4 May 2007
22:29[70]
ECA
536
Astra 1L
Galaxy 17
9,402 kg GTO Success
33 V-177 14 August 2007
23:44[70]
ECA
537
Spaceway-3
BSAT-3a
8,848 kg GTO Success
34 V-178 5 October 2007
22:02[70]
GS
526
Intelsat 11
Optus D2
5,857 kg GTO Success
35 V-179 14 November 2007
22:03[70]
ECA
538
Skynet 5B
Star One C1
9,535 kg GTO Success
36 V-180 21 December 2007
21:41[70]
GS
530
Rascom-QAF1
Horizons-2
~6,500 kg GTO Success
37 V-181 9 March 2008
04:03[70]
ES
528
Jules Verne ATV LEO (ISS) Success
Maiden flight of Ariane 5ES
38 V-182 18 April 2008
22:17[70]
ECA
539
Star One C2
Vinasat-1
7,762 kg GTO Success
39 V-183 12 June 2008
22:05
ECA
540
Skynet 5C
Türksat 3A
8,541 kg GTO Success
40 V-184 7 July 2008
21:47
ECA
541
ProtoStar-1
Badr-6
8,639 kg GTO Success
41 V-185 14 August 2008
20:44
ECA
542
Superbird-7
AMC-21
8,068 kg GTO Success
42 V-186 20 December 2008
22:35
ECA
543
Hot Bird 9
Eutelsat W2M
9,220 kg GTO Success
43 V-187 12 February 2009
22:09
ECA
545
Hot Bird 10
NSS-9
Spirale-A
Spirale-B
8,511 kg GTO Success
44 V-188 14 May 2009
13:12
ECA
546
Herschel Space Observatory
Planck
3,402 kg Sun–Earth L2 Success
45 V-189 1 July 2009
19:52
ECA
547
TerreStar-1 7,055 kg GTO Success
46 V-190 21 August 2009
22:09
ECA
548
JCSAT-12
Optus D3
7,655 kg GTO Success
47 V-191 1 October 2009
21:59
ECA
549
Amazonas 2
COMSATBw-1
9,087 kg GTO Success
48 V-192 29 October 2009
20:00
ECA
550
NSS-12
Thor-6
9,462 kg GTO Success
49 V-193 18 December 2009
16:26
GS
532
Helios 2B 5,954 kg SSO Success
Final flight of Ariane 5GS
50 V-194 21 May 2010
22:01
ECA
551
Astra 3B
COMSATBw-2
9,116 kg GTO SES
MilSat Services
Success
51 V-195 26 June 2010
21:41
ECA
552
Arabsat-5A
Chollian
8,393 kg GTO Arabsat
KARI
Success
52 V-196 4 August 2010
20:59
ECA
554
Nilesat 201
RASCOM-QAF 1R
7,085 kg GTO Nilesat
RASCOM
Success
53 V-197 28 October 2010
21:51
ECA
555
Eutelsat W3B
BSAT-3b
8,263 kg GTO Eutelsat
Broadcasting Satellite System Corporation
Success
Eutelsat W3B suffered a leak in the propulsion system shortly after launch and was declared a total loss.[71] BSAT-3b is operating normally.
54 V-198 26 November 2010
18:39
ECA
556
Intelsat 17
HYLAS-1
8,867 kg GTO Intelsat
Avanti Communications
Success
55 V-199 29 December 2010
21:27
ECA
557
Koreasat 6
Hispasat-1E
9,259 kg GTO KT Corporation
Hispasat
Success
56 V-200 16 February 2011
21:50
ES
544
Johannes Kepler ATV 20,050 kg LEO (ISS) ESA Success
57 VA-201 22 April 2011
21:37
ECA
558
Yahsat 1A
New Dawn
10,064 kg GTO Al Yah Satellite Communications
Intelsat
Success
Launch was scrubbed from 30 March 2011, aborted in the last seconds before liftoff due to a gimbal malfunction in the Vulcain main engine.[72]
58 VA-202 20 May 2011
20:38
ECA
559
ST-2
GSAT-8
9,013 kg GTO Singapore Telecom
ISRO
Success
59 VA-203 6 August 2011
22:52
ECA
560
Astra 1N
BSAT-3c / JCSAT-110R
9,095 kg GTO SES S.A.
Broadcasting Satellite System Corporation
Success
60 VA-204 21 September 2011
21:38
ECA
561
Arabsat-5C
SES-2
8,974 kg GTO Arab Satellite Communications Organization
SES S.A.
Success
61 VA-205 23 March 2012
04:34
ES
553
Edoardo Amaldi ATV 20,060 kg LEO (ISS) ESA Success
62 VA-206 15 May 2012
22:13
ECA
562
JCSAT-13
Vinasat-2
8,381 kg GTO SKY Perfect JSAT
VNPT
Success
63 VA-207 5 July 2012
21:36
ECA
563
EchoStar XVII
MSG-3
9,647 kg GTO EchoStar
EUMETSAT
Success
64 VA-208 2 August 2012
20:54
ECA
564
Intelsat 20
HYLAS 2
10,182 kg GTO Intelsat
Avanti Communications
Success
65 VA-209 28 September 2012
21:18
ECA
565
Astra 2F
GSAT-10
10,211 kg GTO SES
ISRO
Success
66 VA-210 10 November 2012
21:05
ECA
566
Eutelsat 21B
Star One C3
9,216 kg GTO Eutelsat
Star One
Success
67 VA-211 19 December 2012
21:49
ECA
567
Skynet 5D
Mexsat-3
8,637 kg GTO Astrium
Mexican Satellite System
Success
68 VA-212 7 February 2013
21:36
ECA
568
Amazonas 3
Azerspace-1/Africasat-1a
10,350 kg GTO Hispasat
Azercosmos[73]
Success
69 VA-213 5 June 2013
21:52
ES
592
Albert Einstein ATV 20,252 kg LEO (ISS) ESA Success
70 VA-214 25 July 2013
19:54
ECA
569
Alphasat I-XL
INSAT-3D
9,760 kg GTO Inmarsat
ISRO
Success
71 VA-215 29 August 2013
20:30
ECA
570
Eutelsat 25B/Es'hail 1
GSAT-7
9,790 kg GTO Eutelsat
ISRO
Success
72 VA-217 6 February 2014
21:30
ECA
572
ABS-2
Athena-Fidus
10,214 kg GTO ABS (satellite operator)
DIRISI
Success
73 VA-216 22 March 2014
22:04
ECA
571
Astra 5B
Amazonas 4A
9,579 kg GTO SES
Hispasat
Success
74 VA-219 29 July 2014
23:47
ES
593
Georges Lemaître ATV 20,293 kg LEO (ISS) ESA Success
75 VA-218 11 September 2014
22:05
ECA
573
MEASAT-3b
Optus 10
10,088 kg GTO MEASAT Satellite Systems
Optus
Success
76 VA-220 16 October 2014
21:43
ECA
574
Intelsat 30
ARSAT-1
10,060 kg GTO Intelsat
ARSAT
Success
77 VA-221 6 December 2014
20:40
ECA
575
DirecTV-14
GSAT-16
10,210 kg GTO DirecTV
ISRO
Success
78 VA-222 26 April 2015
20:00
ECA
576
Thor 7
SICRAL-2
9,852 kg GTO British Satellite Broadcasting
French Armed Forces
Success
79 VA-223 27 May 2015
21:16
ECA
577
DirecTV-15
SKY Mexico 1
9,960 kg GTO DirecTV
Sky México
Success
80 VA-224 15 July 2015
21:42
ECA
578
Star One C4
MSG-4
8,587 kg GTO Star One
EUMETSAT
Success
81 VA-225 20 August 2015
20:34
ECA
579
Eutelsat 8 West B
Intelsat 34
9,922 kg GTO Eutelsat
Intelsat
Success
82 VA-226 30 September 2015
20:30
ECA
580
NBN Co 1A
ARSAT-2
10,203 kg GTO National Broadband Network
ARSAT
Success
83 VA-227 10 November 2015
21:34
ECA
581
Arabsat 6B
GSAT-15
9,810 kg GTO Arabsat
ISRO
Success
84 VA-228 27 January 2016
23:20
ECA
583
Intelsat 29e 6,700 kg GTO Intelsat Success
85 VA-229 9 March 2016
05:20
ECA
582
Eutelsat 65 West A 6,707 kg GTO Eutelsat Success
86 VA-230 18 June 2016
21:38
ECA
584
EchoStar 18
BRISat
10,730 kg GTO EchoStar
Bank Rakyat Indonesia
Success
This mission carried the first satellite owned by a financial institution.[74]
87 VA-232 24 August 2016
22:16
ECA
586
Intelsat 33e
Intelsat 36
10,735 kg GTO Intelsat Success
Intelsat 33e's LEROS apogee engine, which supposed to perform orbit raising, failed soon after its successful launch, forcing to use the experimentation of low-thrust reaction control system which extended the commissioning time 3 months longer than expected.[75] Later, it suffered other thruster problems which cut its operational lifetime by about 3.5 years.[76]
88 VA-231 5 October 2016
20:30
ECA
585
NBN Co 1B
GSAT-18
10,663 kg GTO National Broadband Network
INSAT
Success
89 VA-233 17 November 2016
13:06
ES
594
Galileo FOC-M6
(satellites FM-7, 12, 13, 14)
3,290 kg MEO ESA Success
90 VA-234 21 December 2016
20:30
ECA
587
Star One D1
JCSAT-15
10,722 kg GTO Star One
SKY Perfect JSAT
Success
91 VA-235 14 February 2017
21:39
ECA
588
Intelsat 32e / SkyBrasil-1
Telkom-3S
10,485 kg GTO Intelsat, DirecTV Latin America
Telkom Indonesia
Success
This mission carried the first Intelsat EpicNG high-throughput satellite based on the Eurostar E3000 platform, while other Intelsat EpicNG satellites were based on BSS-702MP platform.[77]
92 VA-236 4 May 2017
21:50
ECA
589
Koreasat 7
SGDC-1
10,289 kg GTO KT Corporation
SGDC
Success
The launch was delayed from March 2017 due to transportation to the launch site being restricted by a blockade erected by striking workers.[78]
93 VA-237 1 June 2017
23:45
ECA
590
ViaSat-2
Eutelsat 172B
10,865 kg GTO ViaSat
Eutelsat
Success
Heaviest and most expensive commercial payload ever put into orbit,[79] valued at approximately €675 million (~€844 million including the launch vehicle),[80] until 12 June 2019, when Falcon 9 delivered RADARSAT Constellation with three Canadian satellites, valued almost €844 million (not including the launch vehicle), into orbit.[81] ViaSat-2 suffered antenna glitch, which cut about 15% of its intended throughput.[82]
94 VA-238 28 June 2017
21:15
ECA
591
EuropaSat / Hellas Sat 3
GSAT-17
10,177 kg GTO Inmarsat / Hellas Sat
ISRO
Success
95 VA-239 29 September 2017
21:56
ECA
5100
Intelsat 37e
BSAT-4a
10,838 kg GTO Intelsat
B-SAT
Success
Launch was scrubbed from 5 September 2017 due to electrical fault in one of the solid rocket boosters that caused launch abort in the last seconds before liftoff.[83]
96 VA-240 12 December 2017
18:36
ES
595
Galileo FOC-M7
(satellites FM-19, 20, 21, 22)
3,282 kg MEO ESA Success
97 VA-241 25 January 2018
22:20
ECA
5101
SES-14 with GOLD
Al Yah 3
9,123 kg GTO SES, NASA
AlYahsat
Partial failure
Telemetry from the launch vehicle was lost after 9 minutes 30 seconds into the flight, after launch vehicle trajectory went off course due to invalid inertial units' azimuth value.[65] Satellites later found to have separated from the upper stage and entered an incorrect orbit with large inclination deviations.[84][85] However, they were able to reach the planned orbit with small loss of on board propellant for SES-14 and still expected to meet the designed lifetime,[86] but with significant loss on Al Yah 3 (up to 50% of its intended operational life).[87][88]
98 VA-242 5 April 2018
21:34
ECA
5102
Superbird-8 / Superbird-B3
HYLAS-4
10,260 kg GTO Japanese MoD, SKY Perfect JSAT
Avanti Communications
Success
Return-to-flight mission after VA-241 mishap on 25 January 2018.[89]
99 VA-244 25 July 2018
11:25
ES
596
Galileo FOC-M8
(satellites FM-23, 24, 25, 26)
3,379 kg MEO ESA Success
Final flight of Ariane 5ES.
100 VA-243 25 September 2018
22:38
ECA
5103
Horizons-3e
Azerspace-2 / Intelsat 38
10,827 kg GTO Intelsat, SKY Perfect JSAT
Azercosmos
Success
Hundredth Ariane 5 mission.[90] Flight VA-243 was delayed from 25 May 2018 due to issues with GSAT-11, which was eventually replaced by Horizons-3e.[91]
101 VA-245 20 October 2018
01:45
ECA
5105
BepiColombo 4,081 kg Heliocentric ESA
JAXA
Success
102 VA-246 4 December 2018
20:37
ECA
5104
10,298 kg GTO
Success
103 VA-247 5 February 2019
21:01
ECA
5106
  • GSAT-31
  • SaudiGeoSat-1/HellasSat-4[95]
10,018 kg GTO
Success
104 VA-248 20 June 2019
21:43
ECA
5107
  • DirecTV-16
  • Eutelsat 7C
10,594 kg GTO
Success
105 VA-249 6 August 2019
19:30
ECA
5108
10,594 kg GTO
  • ESA
  • Avanti Communications
  • Intelsat
Success
106 VA-250 26 November 2019
21:23[99]
ECA
5109
Inmarsat-5 F5 (GX 5)[100][101]
TIBA-1[102]
10,495 kg GTO Inmarsat
Government of Egypt
Success[103]
107 VA-251 16 January 2020
21:05
ECA
5110
Eutelsat Konnect (African Broadband Satellite)[104]
GSAT-30
7,888 kg GTO Eutelsat
ISRO
Success
108 VA-252 18 February 2020
22:18
ECA
5111
JCSAT-17
GEO-KOMPSAT 2B
9,236 kg GTO SKY Perfect JSAT
KARI
Success
109 VA-253 15 August 2020
22:04
ECA
5112
Galaxy 30
MEV-2
BSAT-4b
10,468 kg[105]
including 765 kg of support structures.
GTO Intelsat
Northrop Grumman
B-SAT
Success
110 VA-254 30 July 2021
21:00
ECA
5113
Eutelsat Quantum
Star One D2
10,515 kg GTO Eutelsat
Star One
Success
111 VA-255 24 October 2021
02:10
ECA
5115
SES-17
Syracuse 4A
11,210 kg[106] GTO SES S.A.
DGA
Success
112 VA-256 25 December 2021
12:20
ECA
5114
James Webb Space Telescope 6,161.4 kg (13,584 lb) Sun–Earth L2 NASA / ESA / CSA / STScI Success
113 VA-257 22 June 2022
21:50
ECA
5116
MEASAT-3d
GSAT-24
9,829 kg GTO MEASAT
NSIL / Tata Play
Success
114 VA-258 7 September 2022
21:45
ECA
5117
Eutelsat Konnect VHTS 6,400 kg GTO Eutelsat Success

Future payloads and scheduled flights

Date
Time (UTC)
Rocket type
Serial No.
Payload Orbit Customers Launch
status
14 December 2022[107] ECA
GTO EUMETSAT
Intelsat
Planned
16 February 2023[110] ECA Syracuse 4B (Comsat-NG 2)[111] Ovzon 3[8] GTO DGA
Ovzon
Planned
5 April 2023[112] ECA Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer (JUICE) Heliocentric ESA Scheduled

    See also

    • List of Ariane launches
    • Ariane 6, Two initial variants
    • Comparison of orbital launchers families
    • Comparison of orbital launch systems
    • Future Launchers Preparatory Programme (ESA, beyond Ariane 5)

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