 | | | | |
| | | | | |
|
Launch vehicles Ariane 5 GenericAriane 5 EvolutionAriane 5 ECAAriane 5 GSAriane 5 ES ATVVegaSoyuzLauncher history A look at the pastAriane 1, 2, 3Ariane 4Launches Next launchLaunch updateMultimedia Image galleryVideo galleryRSS feeds Launchers on your desktop Screensavers and wallpaperServices
| | | | | | | Ariane 5 Generic
| Main Data | Ariane 5G | | Height* | 46 to 52 m | | Diameter | up to 5.4 m | | Liftoff mass** | 746 tonnes | | Payload mass*** | 6 tonnes GTO
9.5 tonnes SSO |
|
Ariane 5 made its first successful launch on 30 October 1997. Its first operational flight took place in December 1999 when it launched ESA’s X-ray Multi-Mirror (XMM) satellite. Since it became operational Ariane 5 has been used to launch satellites for communications, Earth observation and scientific research.
In order for Ariane 5 to use Europe’s Spaceport in Kourou ESA built a new launch site as well as facilities to integrate the solid boosters and produce the solid propellant they use.
Ariane 5 is used for launches into geostationary orbit, medium and low-Earth orbits and sun-synchronous orbits.
* Double launch
Last update: 12 May 2004 | |
| | Ariane 5 Generic Ariane 5 net Build a launcher Elements in detail Ariane 5 elementsMore on elements Boosters (EAP)Cryogenic main stage (EPC)Vulcain engineStorable Propellant Stage (EPS)Vehicle equipment baySpeltra, Sylda 5FairingMore about... Space, cities and education
|
