N° 47–1996: Continuation of Ariane-5 qualification
17 December 1996
Following the plan of action set in motion last September (see ESA-CNES press release of 26 September), ESA, CNES and the firms concerned have now established a detailed timetable for operations leading up to Ariane flight 502.
As each individual operation will require very close analysis, the 502 campaign is scheduled to begin on Wednesday 9 April 1997, the launch itself being planned for early July.
Given these dates, the last qualification launch of Ariane 503, managed by Arianespace, is now scheduled in November 1997.