Ariane 5
Europe's heavy-lift workhorse for over two decades, retired in 2023.
Flight record
About Ariane 5
Ariane 5 was the European Space Agency's heavy-lift launch vehicle and, for two decades, the dominant rocket in the commercial geostationary-satellite market. A cryogenic hydrogen-oxygen core stage flanked by two large solid rocket boosters gave it the muscle to launch two large communications satellites at once.
Its most celebrated mission was the December 2021 launch of the James Webb Space Telescope, delivered so precisely that the observatory saved years of propellant. Ariane 5 was retired in 2023 after 117 launches, handing over to Ariane 6.
Variants
Ariane 5 G / G+ / GS
1996–2009The original 'Generic' variants, which established the rocket after a high-profile maiden-flight failure.
Ariane 5 ECA
2002–2023The upgraded cryogenic version with greater payload to geostationary transfer orbit — the most-flown variant and the one that launched JWST.
Ariane 5 ES
2008–2018A variant with a restartable storable upper stage, used for ATV cargo flights to the ISS and Galileo navigation satellites.
Flight history
Frequently asked questions
Specifications
- Height
- 57.7 m
- Diameter
- 5.4 m
- Launch mass
- 780 kg
- Payload to
- 10,500 kg
- Thrust at liftoff
- 11,400 kN
- Reusable
- No
Key dates
- First flight
- Jun 4, 1996
- Launched James Webb Space Telescope
- Dec 25, 2021
- Final flight
- Jul 5, 2023
Official links
Ariane 5 launches
Every upcoming and past Ariane 5 launch — live countdowns, mission details and launch history.
Upcoming Launches
No upcoming Ariane 5 launches are currently scheduled.
Previous Launches
Syracuse 4B & Heinrich Hertz (H2Sat)
Jul 5, 2023, 10:00 PM
Arianespace
Ariane 5 ECA+
Guiana Space Centre, French Guiana
JUICE (JUpiter ICy moons Explorer)
Apr 14, 2023, 12:14 PM
Arianespace
Ariane 5 ECA+
Guiana Space Centre, French Guiana
Galaxy 35 & 36, MTG-I1
Dec 13, 2022, 8:30 PM
Arianespace
Ariane 5 ECA+
Guiana Space Centre, French Guiana
Eutelsat Konnect VHTS
Sep 7, 2022, 9:45 PM
Arianespace
Ariane 5 ECA+
Guiana Space Centre, French Guiana
Measat-3d & GSAT 24
Jun 22, 2022, 9:50 PM
Arianespace
Ariane 5 ECA+
Guiana Space Centre, French Guiana
James Webb Space Telescope (JWST)
Dec 25, 2021, 12:20 PM
Arianespace
Ariane 5 ECA+
Guiana Space Centre, French Guiana
SES-17 & Syracuse 4A
Oct 24, 2021, 2:10 AM
Arianespace
Ariane 5 ECA+
Guiana Space Centre, French Guiana
Star One D2 & Eutelsat Quantum
Jul 30, 2021, 9:00 PM
Arianespace
Ariane 5 ECA+
Guiana Space Centre, French Guiana
Galaxy 30, MEV-2 & BSAT-4B
Aug 15, 2020, 10:04 PM
Arianespace
Ariane 5 ECA+
Guiana Space Centre, French Guiana
JCSAT-17 & GEO-KOMPSAT-2B
Feb 18, 2020, 10:18 PM
Arianespace
Ariane 5 ECA+
Guiana Space Centre, French Guiana
Eutelsat Konnect & GSAT-30
Jan 16, 2020, 9:05 PM
Arianespace
Ariane 5 ECA
Guiana Space Centre, French Guiana
TIBA-1 & Inmarsat-5 F5 (Global Xpress-5)
Nov 26, 2019, 9:23 PM
Arianespace
Ariane 5 ECA
Guiana Space Centre, French Guiana
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