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    ESA > Our Activities > Launchers

    News Archive

    19 Dec 2012 Ariane 5 completes seven launches in 2012
    02 Dec 2012 Launch update
    21 Nov 2012 Third Soyuz flight from Europe’s Spaceport
    10 Nov 2012 Ariane 5’s sixth launch of 2012
    09 Nov 2012 ESA’s IXV reentry vehicle prepares for soft landing
    19 Oct 2012 Three launchers at Europe’s Spaceport
    13 Oct 2012 Deployment of Europe’s Galileo constellation continues
    28 Sep 2012 Ariane 5’s fifth launch of 2012
    02 Aug 2012 Ariane 5 performs 50th successful launch in a row
    25 Jul 2012 ESA studies future of Europe’s launch services
    06 Jul 2012 MSG-3 set to ensure quality of Europe’s weather service from geostationary orbit
    29 Jun 2012 Ariane 5 fairing undergoes testing for shockless separation
    12 Jun 2012 Young people’s vision for European space activities and new launcher systems
    25 May 2012 Ariane 5 booster roars into life
    16 May 2012 Spare Ariane nose heads to new home
    16 May 2012 Ariane 5’s second launch of 2012
    13 Feb 2012 ESA’s new Vega launcher scores success on maiden flight
    12 Feb 2012 Final ‘go’ for Vega launch
    03 Feb 2012 Vega set for its inaugural flight
    31 Jan 2012 Three launch pads at Europe’s Spaceport
    27 Jan 2012 First Vega rocket assembled on launch pad
    19 Jan 2012 Vega rocket ready for first flight
    16 Dec 2011 Vega to fly ESA experimental reentry vehicle
    15 Dec 2011 Vega moves closer to its first liftoff
    29 Nov 2011 Europe prepares new technologies for future launchers
    11 Nov 2011 First Vega launch campaign aims for January liftoff
    28 Oct 2011 Vega getting ready for exploitation
    21 Oct 2011 One Soyuz launcher, two Galileo satellites, three successes for Europe
    21 Oct 2011 Liftoff of Soyuz flight VS01
    21 Oct 2011 Liftoff of Soyuz flight VS01
    20 Oct 2011 Watch online: Soyuz - Galileo IOV launch
    18 Oct 2011 When Galileo met Soyuz
    15 Oct 2011 First Soyuz ready for liftoff from French Guiana
    13 Oct 2011 Galileo satellites enclosed within launch fairing
    04 Oct 2011 First Vega starts journey to Europe’s Spaceport
    21 Sep 2011 Ariane 5’s fifth launch of 2011
    20 Sep 2011 Countdown to Europe’s first Soyuz launch under way
    07 Aug 2011 Ariane 5’s fourth launch of 2011
    22 Jun 2011 ESA’s high-thrust engine takes next step
    21 Jun 2011 ESA reentry vehicle on track for flight in 2013
    21 Jun 2011 Galileo’s Soyuz launchers arrive at French Guiana
    20 May 2011 Ariane 5’s third launch of 2011
    12 May 2011 Europe’s Spaceport ready for three rockets
    07 May 2011 ESA hands over keys to Soyuz launch site
    04 May 2011 First Soyuz almost ready for launch from French Guiana
    23 Apr 2011 Ariane 5’s second launch of 2011
    21 Apr 2011 Vega completes mechanical system tests
    01 Apr 2011 Soyuz launch site ready for first flight
    18 Feb 2011 Europe’s new, small launcher takes shape
    16 Feb 2011 Europe’s ATV Johannes Kepler supply ship on its way to Space Station
    27 Jan 2011 Year of the launchers for ESA
    29 Dec 2010 Ariane 5’s sixth launch of 2010
    26 Nov 2010 Hylas-1 in orbit brings Europe broadband from space
    16 Nov 2010 Vega test campaign starts at Europe’s Spaceport
    29 Oct 2010 Ariane 5’s fourth launch of 2010
    06 Oct 2010 Soyuz launch facility nears completion
    15 Sep 2010 New milestone in IXV development
    08 Sep 2010 Vega launcher production contracts signed by ESA, Arianespace and ELV
    05 Aug 2010 Ariane 5’s third launch of 2010
    30 Jun 2010 Launchers board meets in Arcachon
    27 Jun 2010 Ariane 5’s second launch of 2010
    22 May 2010 First Ariane 5 launch of 2010
    11 May 2010 Soyuz Consultation Committee sets inaugural launch for fourth quarter of 2010
    14 Apr 2010 Space Propulsion conference will chart industry’s future trajectory
    18 Feb 2010 IXV prepares the European Low Earth Orbit return ambition
    15 Feb 2010 High-thrust engine demonstrator industrial day
    19 Dec 2009 Final launch of Ariane 5 GS completes busy year
    18 Nov 2009 First test of Vega launch pad components
    30 Oct 2009 Another dual launch for Ariane 5
    02 Oct 2009 Fifth Ariane 5 launch of 2009
    14 Sep 2009 ESA and NASA sign Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in space transportation
    22 Aug 2009 Ariane 5 – Dual launch of telecommunications satellites
    01 Jul 2009 Ariane 5 – Largest-ever telecommunications satellite launched
    17 Jun 2009 ESA signs High Thrust Engine Demonstrator contract for Next Generation Launcher
    16 Jun 2009 ESA and Thales Alenia Space establish agreement for development of Intermediate eXperimental Vehicle (IXV)
    15 Jun 2009 ESA and Arianespace sign a Frame Contract for the procurement of launch services
    14 May 2009 ESA en route to the origins of the Universe
    30 Apr 2009 Second firing test for Vega’s Zefiro 9A solid rocket motor
    27 Mar 2009 ESA and CNES sign contract on Guiana Space Centre (CSG)
    09 Mar 2009 Vega mobile gantry ready at launching position
    13 Feb 2009 Ariane 5 – First launch of 2009
    21 Dec 2008 Ariane 5 – Sixth and final launch of 2008
    25 Nov 2008 Vega mobile gantry – first movement test
    24 Oct 2008 Successful first test for Vega’s Zefiro 9-A solid-fuel rocket motor
    09 Oct 2008 Intermediate eXperimental Vehicle – new video
    15 Aug 2008 Ariane 5 - Fifth launch of 2008
    25 Jul 2008 Announcement of opportunity for second flight of Vega small launcher in mid-2010
    08 Jul 2008 Ariane 5 - Two more telecommunications satellites launched
    13 Jun 2008 Ariane 5 - Another successful dual-payload launch
    06 Jun 2008 Successful Ariane 5 solid rocket booster test firing
    19 Apr 2008 Ariane 5 - second launch of 2008
    31 Mar 2008 Successful qualification firing test for Zefiro 23
    09 Mar 2008 Europe launches its first resupply ship to the ISS
    09 Mar 2008 Replay of launch and solar array opening of Jules Verne ATV
    27 Feb 2008 First firing of European staged-combustion demonstration engine
    26 Feb 2008 First hot firing of European staged-combustion demonstration engine
    22 Dec 2007 Ariane 5 - sixth and final launch of 2007
    20 Dec 2007 Vega launch vehicle modal characterisation test successfully completed
    05 Dec 2007 Vega main engine test in Kourou
    15 Nov 2007 Ariane 5 - fifth launch of six in 2007
    22 Oct 2007 Successful Ariane 5 upper stage engine re-ignition experiment
    16 Oct 2007 Qualification of Vega on-board computer completed
    08 Oct 2007 Ariane 5 – fourth launch this year
    15 Aug 2007 Ariane 5 - third dual-payload launch of 2007
    14 Aug 2007 Ariane 5 launch tonight
    01 Aug 2007 Contract for Vega roll and attitude control subsystem signed
    27 Jun 2007 Development contracts signed for future European launchers
    22 Jun 2007 ESA and CNES sign assistance contracts for Ariane
    05 May 2007 Ariane 5 – second launch of six in 2007
    29 Mar 2007 Anomalous behaviour affects firing test of Vega’s Zefiro 9 motor
    29 Mar 2007 ESA signs arrangement with New Zealand on tracking station
    12 Mar 2007 First Ariane 5 launch of 2007
    26 Feb 2007 Official opening of the Soyuz launch base construction site in French Guiana
    22 Dec 2006 Vega Critical Design Review begins
    09 Dec 2006 Fifth Ariane 5 launch completes a busy year
    30 Nov 2006 Successful firing of Vega’s first-stage motor in Kourou
    27 Nov 2006 Kourou prepares for P80 motor test
    16 Oct 2006 Fourth Ariane 5 launch of 2006
    05 Oct 2006 Vega upper composite passes tests at ESTEC
    15 Sep 2006 First Vega P80 nozzle delivered
    15 Sep 2006 ISS crew answers questions from space
    12 Aug 2006 Ariane 5 launches two telecommunications satellites
    29 Jun 2006 ESA and the Community of Ariane Cities sign hosting agreement
    27 Jun 2006 Spanish elements of Ariane 5 with a value of €10 million
    26 Jun 2006 Vega's second stage motor roars to life
    22 Jun 2006 Reappointment of ESA Director General and other Directors
    15 Jun 2006 Control system tests begin for Vega’s main engine
    28 May 2006 Ariane 5 ECA carries record payload mass to GTO
    27 Mar 2006 Ariane Programme Board meets at Europe’s Spaceport
    12 Mar 2006 First Ariane launch of 2006
    21 Dec 2005 Europe’s newest Meteosat launches on Solstice Night
    21 Dec 2005 Successful first test for Vega's Zefiro 9 engine
    14 Dec 2005 Meteosat Second Generation-2: watch the launch live
    14 Dec 2005 ESA’s Herschel and Planck launcher contract signed
    02 Dec 2005 ESA and Portugal sign agreement on tracking station in the Azores
    17 Nov 2005 Liftoff for Ariane 5 ECA
    13 Nov 2005 Arianespace and ESA meet potential Vega customers
    07 Nov 2005 Second Vinci engine ready for testing
    31 Oct 2005 Azores joins ESA's tracking network in readiness for ATV launch
    27 Oct 2005 Russian Commission paves way for Rocket's Return to Flight
    14 Oct 2005 Early morning liftoff for Flight 168
    06 Oct 2005 A new milestone in the reorganisation of the European launcher sector
    20 Sep 2005 Key tests for Vega igniters
    19 Aug 2005 ESA at MAKS 2005
    11 Aug 2005 Ariane 5 lifts record payload into space
    29 Jul 2005 Thumbs up for 60-second firing
    22 Jul 2005 Vega ground segment goes ahead
    21 Jul 2005 Soyuz contract signed
    21 Jun 2005 Launcher technology at Le Mans 2005
    21 Jun 2005 Pescarolo team makes fastest lap at Le Mans
    14 Jun 2005 Testing the new Vinci engine
    20 May 2005 Vinci engine hot-firing test a success
    04 May 2005 Vega contract for SABCA
    25 Apr 2005 Europe looks to the future
    05 Apr 2005 Vulcain 2 engine now in full production
    24 Mar 2005 European Space Technology Transfer Forum
    17 Mar 2005 Test-drive ESA technology
    16 Mar 2005 Vega on track to meet 2007 deadline
    10 Mar 2005 Agent Bacon and Ariane 5
    23 Feb 2005 Agent Bacon and Ariane 5
    23 Feb 2005 Flight 167 Launch update
    21 Feb 2005 Ariane 5 technology turns the lights on
    12 Feb 2005 Enhanced Ariane 5 demonstrates heavy-lift capability
    11 Feb 2005 Ariane 5 ECA prepares for launch
    19 Jan 2005 Closer ties between ESA and Russia
    18 Dec 2004 Flight 165 heads north
    12 Nov 2004 Successful test for Ariane 5 booster
    09 Nov 2004 New Soyuz model successfully launched
    04 Nov 2004 The first stone for Vega at Europe's Spaceport
    15 Oct 2004 The Community of Ariane Cities meets in French Guiana
    15 Oct 2004 Ariane's Vulcain-2 engine ready for a new test flight
    17 Sep 2004 Watery load for Ariane 5 ECA
    10 Sep 2004 Paris Mayor visits Europe's Spaceport
    17 Aug 2004 Steering Board meets to discuss Soyuz launch zone
    18 Jul 2004 Ariane 5 launches heavy load
    12 Jul 2004 Winning sound with Ariane technology
    07 Jul 2004 Listening to Vega
    06 Jul 2004 Industry workshop on Europe's Spaceport
    28 Jun 2004 Questions and answers
    08 Jun 2004 Next Ariane 5 launch campaign begins
    30 May 2004 Vega one step nearer
    20 May 2004 Launchers’ Director meets the press
    14 May 2004 Successful test for Vulcain 2 engine
    14 May 2004 EuroNews visits Europe's Spaceport in Kourou
    12 May 2004 Ariane 5 and Soyuz to launch two Australian satellites from the Guiana Space Centre
    10 May 2004 New look for Launchers' site
    10 May 2004 Polestar
    30 Mar 2004 Ariane 4 honoured by US Space Foundation
    02 Mar 2004 The making of an Ariane 5 launch
    02 Mar 2004 Rosetta begins its 10-year journey to the origins of the Solar System
    02 Mar 2004 Liftoff
    02 Mar 2004 Liftoff
    01 Mar 2004 ESA’s Rosetta launch re-scheduled: Follow the launch from an ESA establishment
    27 Feb 2004 Rosetta launch delayed for technical reasons
    17 Feb 2004 Rosetta now on top of the Ariane 5
    05 Feb 2004 Europe set to fly higher still
    26 Jan 2004 Rosetta – a new target to solve planetary mysteries
    15 Jan 2004 ESA's DG meets the press
    09 Jan 2004 Can satellites help bridge the digital divide?
    03 Oct 2003 Space leaders to share visions of launchers to come
    28 Sep 2003 SMART-1 leaves Earth on a long journey to the Moon
    19 Sep 2003 SMART-1 ready for launch
    18 Aug 2003 New date awaited for SMART-1 launch
    08 Aug 2003 Europe’s first Moon probe prepares for launch
    12 Jun 2003 Flight 161 heads for space
    12 Jun 2003 Flight 161 heads for space
    27 May 2003 Securing Europe’s access to space, now and for the future
    28 Apr 2003 New Director of Launchers named at ESA
    10 Apr 2003 Successful liftoff for Ariane-5
    10 Apr 2003 Successful liftoff for Ariane-5
    21 Mar 2003 Opportunity for industry to visit Europe’s spaceport
    17 Mar 2003 History of the Ariane workhorse
    17 Mar 2003 History of the Ariane workhorse
    25 Feb 2003 Signature of contracts for full development of Vega small launcher and P80
    15 Feb 2003 Well done Ariane
    15 Feb 2003 Well done Ariane
    14 Feb 2003 Strong winds again delay last Ariane-4 launch
    14 Feb 2003 Strong winds again delay last Ariane-4 launch
    12 Feb 2003 Ariane-4 launcher
    14 Jan 2003 Rosetta launch postponed
    10 Jan 2003 Call for press: Status of the Rosetta mission
    08 Jan 2003 Arianespace Flight 157 - Inquiry Board submits findings
    08 Jan 2003 Arianespace Flight 157 - Inquiry Board submits findings
    18 Dec 2002 Successful Ariane launch
    18 Dec 2002 Successful Ariane launch
    12 Dec 2002 Arianespace releases initial information on Flight 157
    12 Dec 2002 Arianespace releases initial information on Flight 157
    12 Dec 2002 Arianespace Flight 157: Mission failure
    12 Dec 2002 Arianespace Flight 157: Mission failure
    09 Dec 2002 December 11 - new liftoff date for the 10-tonne Ariane 5
    29 Nov 2002 Flight 157 postponed a few days
    29 Nov 2002 Arianespace Flight 157
    29 Nov 2002 Arianespace Flight 157
    11 Nov 2002 New Ariane launcher all set for November liftoff
    06 Sep 2002 Flight 154 right on time
    05 Sep 2002 Timing is critical as launch windows approach
    29 Aug 2002 Flawless launch of a super Meteosat
    28 Aug 2002 Flight 155 postponed
    08 Jul 2002 Ariane 5 keeps up the pace
    05 Jun 2002 ARD on show at Cité de l’Espace
    24 May 2002 Space and aviation authorities meet
    13 May 2002 World Summit on Space Transportation Business
    04 May 2002 Flight 151 Spot on
    02 May 2002 ESA and CNES sign contract on CSG
    18 Apr 2002 Successful launch of 150th Ariane
    04 Apr 2002 Workshop on future launchers
    28 Mar 2002 Flight 149 - 4th successful launch of 2002
    11 Mar 2002 An invitation to meet Vega
    01 Mar 2002 Europe’s environmental eye soars into orbit
    25 Feb 2002 Ariane 4 gets it right once again
    24 Jan 2002 First Ariane launch of 2002 successful
    18 Jan 2002 2002 – an exciting year ahead
    27 Nov 2001 Flight 146 a success
    20 Nov 2001 Ariane-5 booster test firing at the Guiana Space Centre
    10 Nov 2001 Dutch contribution to launchers
    10 Nov 2001 Spanish contribution to launchers
    30 Oct 2001 Testing space on Earth
    30 Oct 2001 Testing space on Earth
    26 Sep 2001 Successful Ariane launch repays Eutelsat confidence
    30 Aug 2001 Another successful launch for Ariane 4
    19 Jul 2001 ESA starts recovery of Artemis
    13 Jul 2001 Artemis satellite safely under full control
    14 Jun 2001 New sites for the very young and the not so young
    04 Jun 2001 Keeping one step ahead in French Guiana
    01 Jun 2001 A look at the past
    24 May 2001 The Maxus-4 package: what goes on in microgravity
    16 Mar 2001 75 years since the first liquid-fueled rocket launch
    16 Mar 2001 75 years since the first liquid-fueled rocket launch
    Paged archive
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    • Intermediate eXperimental Vehicle (IXV)
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      Year of the launchers

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