Ariane, series of civilian expendable launch vehicles, Arianespace, Courcouronnes, France


Ariane 5 rocket launch explosion

Feb 1, 2015

The first launch of the Ariane 5 rocket launch ended spectacularly with a malfunction seconds after lift off that resulted in the destruction of the vehicle.
 
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60th successful Ariane 5 mission in a row

Published on Jul 29, 2014

The European Space Agency's fifth and last Automated Transfer Vehicle, the ATV Georges Lemaitre, was successfully launched from the Guiana Space Center.

Arianespace has successfully launched the ATV-5 Georges Lemaitre cargo vessel, which will play a vital role in ferrying supplies to the International Space Station (ISS). The launch took place on July 29 at 08: 47: 38 pm (local time) from the Guiana Space Center in French Guiana. This marked the 60th successful mission in a row for Ariane 5 since 2003, which is a record for launchers on the commercial market, clearly reflecting the excellence of the European space transport industry in support of international space programs.
 

Launch of MEASAT-3b: 61st success in a row for Ariane 5

Published on Sep 12, 2014

Flight 218 is the 75th Ariane 5 launch and the fourth in 2014.
For the 61st consecutive time, Ariane 5 has successfully launched from Kourou, French Guiana, once again confirming the reliability of the European launcher developed and built by prime contractor Airbus Defence and Space, the world’s second largest space company. For this launch, the company was also the prime contractor for MEASAT-3b, the largest satellite ever built for Malaysian-based Asian operator MEASAT.

The Ariane 5 ECA (Cryogenic Evolution type A), the most powerful version in the ARIANE 5 range, used for this flight.transported 10,088 kg into geostationary transfer orbit, 9,167 kg of which is made up by the two satellites MEASAT-3b and OPTUS-10 and the rest by Sylda, Airbus Defence and Space’s dual launch system, and by adapter structures for the satellites.
 

Liftoff of Ariane 5 flight VA220

Published on Oct 16, 2014

On 16 October 2014, Ariane 5 flight VA220 lifted off from Europe’s Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana to place two telecommunications satellites, Intelsat-30/DLA-1 and Arsat-1, into their planned transfer orbits.
 

Ariane 5: 64th successful launch in a row

Published on Apr 27, 2015

On 26 April 2015, Ariane 5 flight VA222 lifted off from Europe’s Spaceport Kourou in French Guiana and delivered two telecom satellites into their planned orbits.
 

MSG-4 liftoff

Published on Jul 16, 2015

Replay of the MSG-4 liftoff, on an Ariane launcher from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana at 21:42 GMT (23:42 CEST) on 15 July 2015.

The Meteosat Second Generation (MSG) satellites provide full-disc images over Europe and Africa every 15 minutes and ‘rapid scan’ imagery over Europe every five minutes. They are operated by Eumetsat – the European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites – and ESA is responsible for their design, development and in-orbit delivery.
 

Ariane 5 flight VA225 liftoff

Published on Aug 20, 2015

On 20 August 2015, Ariane 5 flight VA225 lifted off from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana and delivered two telecom satellites, Eutelsat-8 West B and Intelsat-34, into their planned orbits.
 

Ariane 5 liftoff on flight VA226

Published on Oct 1, 2015

On 30 September 2015, Ariane 5 flight VA226 lifted off from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana and delivered two telecom satellites, Sky Muster and Arsat-2, into their planned orbits.
 

Ariane 5 flight VA227 liftoff replay

Published on Nov 10, 2015

On 10 November 2015, Ariane 5 flight VA227 lifted off from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana and delivered two telecom satellites, Arabsat-6B and GSAT-15, into their planned orbits.
 

Flight VA228: The successful launch of Intelsat 29e, and Ariane 5’s 70th success in a row

Published on Jan 27, 2016

Arianespace has successfully launched Intelsat 29e for the international operator Intel-sat. Arianespace’s first launch of the year, and its 56th performed for Intelsat, took place on January 27 at 8:20 pm (local time) from the Guiana Space Center in Kourou, French Guiana. This 70th success in a row for Ariane 5 initiates another ambitious year for Arianespace, which is planning to launch up to eight Ariane 5 missions during 2016.
 

Arianespace Flight VA229 - EUTELSAT 65 West A

Published on Mar 8, 2016

Arianespace has successfully launched the EUTELSAT 65 West A satellite for Eutelsat Communications. The company’s second launch of the year took place on March 9 at 2:20 am (local time) from the Guiana Space Center (CSG) in Kourou, French Guiana. Thierry Mandon, French Minister for Higher Education and Research, was in Kourou for the launch.

This was the 71st successful launch in a row for the Ariane 5 heavy launcher. The com-pany’s second mission of the year keeps Arianespace on schedule to meet its objective of up to 12 launches in 2016, including eight Ariane 5 missions.
 

Liftoff of Arianespace’s Ariane 5 VA230 with EchoStar XVIII and BRIsat

Published on Jun 18, 2016

The Arianespace mission with EchoStar XVIII and BRIsat is now underway following Ariane 5’s liftoff from the Spaceport in French Guiana.

Total lift performance for today’s launch is approximately 10,730 kg., with the two satellites to be deployed during a flight lasting 42 minutes.
 

Arianespace flight VA230: 72nd successful Ariane 5 launch in a row

Published on Jun 19, 2016

On its fifth launch of the year, which will be the third mission in 2016 utilizing an Ariane 5 launcher from the Guiana Space Center (CSG) in French Guiana, Arianespace will orbit two satellites: EchoStar XVIII for the operator DISH Network L.L.C.; and BRIsat for PT.Bank Rakyat Indonesia (Persero) Tbk.

This mission – the 230th overall by an Ariane launcher – will mark a new all-time Arianespace record for a total payload weight orbited: 10,730 kg., including a net weight of 9,840 kg. for the two satellites. The launch, designated Flight VA230, is to be the very first time that Arianespace orbits two satellites built by SSL (Space Systems Loral) on the same launcher, as well as Arianespace’s initial launch of a spacecraft entirely dedicated to use by a financial institution.

EchoStar XVIII and BRIsat will be the 533rd and 534th satellites launched by Arianespace.
 

Liftoff of Arianespace’s Ariane 5 with Intelsat 33e and Intelsat 36

Published on Aug 24, 2016

Arianespace has successfully launched the Intelsat 33e and Intelsat 36 satellites for Intelsat, the world’s leading provider of satellite services. VA232 was the first Ariane 5 dual launch entirely dedicated to Intelsat satellites.

Arianespace’s sixth launch of 2016, the fourth using an Ariane 5, took place on Wednesday, August 24, 2016 at 07:16 p.m. (local time) from the Guiana Space Center in Kourou, French Guiana. This mission was the 73rd successful Ariane 5 launch in a row. It also reflected Ariane 5’s steadily increasing performance, as the heavy launcher set a new record by lofting 10,735 kg. into geostationary transfer orbit (GTO), outpacing the previous record of 10,730 kg., set in June 2016.

Today’s launch was Arianespace’s second of the year for Intelsat. Arianespace has now launched 58 satellites for this operator, further strengthening a partnership that spans more than three decades.
 

VA231 - Mission Success

Published on Oct 5, 2016

74TH SUCCESSFUL LAUNCH IN A ROW FOR ARIANE 5, EQUALING THE RECORD SET BY ARIANE 4, AND SUPPORTING THE SPACE AMBITIONS OF AUSTRALIA AND INDIA

Arianespace has successfully launched the Sky MusterTM II satellite for Australian operator nbn (National Broadband Network) and the GSAT-18 satellite for the Indian space agency ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation).
The launch took place on October 5 at 5:30 pm (local time) from the Guiana Space Cen-ter (CSG) in Kourou, French Guiana.
Today’s flight was the eighth of the year for Arianespace and the fifth by an Ariane 5 launcher, which logged its 74th successful mission in a row, equaling the record set by the predecessor Ariane 4 from 1995 to 2003.

With today’s successful mission for Australia and India, Arianespace proudly supports two major national space programs.

ARIANE 5 EQUALS ARIANE 4’S RECORD FOR SUCCESSFUL LAUNCHES IN A ROW

This launch was the 74th success in a row for Ariane 5, equaling the record set by the Ariane 4 launcher from 1995 to 2003. Ariane 5 has carried out 74 consecutive successful missions, launching 145 payloads that weigh a cumulated total of more than 623 metric tons, including:
• 133 main payloads, weighing 618 metric tons,
• 12 secondary payloads, weighing 5 metric tons.

During this uninterrupted string of 74 launches, Ariane 5s have orbited 24 more satellites than Ariane 4 during this equivalent series of successes, launching a combined total of 348 metric tons into orbit. This unprecedented series of successful launches in the marketplace once again proves the exceptional availability and reliability of Arianespace’s heavy-lift launcher.

REDUCING THE DIGITAL DIVIDE IN AUSTRALIA

Sky MusterTM II is the second satellite launched by Arianespace for the Australian operator nbn (National Broadband Network), owned by the Commonwealth of Australia. It is also the eighth satellite that Arianespace has launched for Australia, following Aussat 3, Optus C1/D1/D2/D3 and 10, and Sky Muster™ I, launched in September 2015.
Sky Muster™ II will help extend high-speed internet service to the entire country, including the Norfolk, Christmas, Macquarie and Cocos islands, in conjunction with the services currently delivered by Sky Muster™ I.
With Sky MusterTM II, the operator meets its objectives of developing the digital economy in Australia, bridging the digital divide between urban and rural areas, and enhancing connections between this vast territory and the rest of the world.

ARIANESPACE, PARTNER OF ISRO (INDIAN SPACE RESEARCH ORGANISATION)

GSAT-18 is the 20th satellite from ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation) to be launched by Arianespace. It will provide telecommunications services for India and bolsters ISRO’s current fleet of 14 operational telecom satellites.

GSAT-18 will contribute to ISRO’s mission of using space to help develop the Indian subcontinent through the deployment of all types of satellites (including Earth observation, telecommunications, broadcasts of educational programs, science and navigation).

Along with its own launch capacity, ISRO has entrusted Arianespace with its satellites for over 35 years, starting with the launch by Ariane 1 of the APPLE (Ariane Passenger Payload Experiment) experimental satellite in 1981. The current Arianespace order book includes two ISRO satellite launches in 2017: GSAT-11 and GSAT-17.

Shortly after the announcement of the orbital injection of the two satellites, Arianespace Chairman and Chief Executive Officer St?phane Isra?l said: “With this fifth Ariane 5 launch in 2016, Arianespace proudly places its excellence at the service of two strategic space programs for Australia and India. We are especially honored to have been chosen by the Australian operator nbn to launch both of its satellites, and by ISRO, with our 20th launch for the Indian space agency today. I would also like to thank our long-standing partner SSL, which produced the Sky MusterTM II satellite.
“This 74th successful launch in a row by Ariane 5 equals the record set by Ariane 4. I would like to congratulate all our partners for this team success: the European Space Agency and the ESA member states participating in the Ariane program; our industrial prime contractor and lead shareholder, Airbus Safran Launchers as well as the entire European industry for Ariane; CNES/CSG along with all companies and staff at the launch base, who support us as we go from success to success. And of course, thanks to everybody at Arianespace for this eighth successful launch of 2016.”
 

Arianespace Flight VA232 / Intelsat 33e and Intelsat 36

Published on Aug 26, 2016

Two telecommunications relay satellites were orbited today for Intelsat on an Ariane 5, extending Arianespace’s 30-plus-year partnership with this U.S. operator while continuing the workhorse launcher’s track record of success and setting a new payload-lift record.

During a 41-minute mission from the Spaceport in French Guiana, Ariane 5 deployed Intelsat 33e and Intelsat 36 into geostationary transfer orbit, making them the 57th and 58th Intelsat payloads lofted by Arianespace for the satellite service provider since 1983.

With this evening’s launch – designated Flight VA232 – Intelsat retains its position as Arianespace’s no. 1 customer on missions to geostationary transfer orbit (GTO), with the launch services provider having lofted 50 percent of all Intelsat satellites in operation today.
 

Ariane 5 lifts off from French Guiana with four Galileo spacecraft
Arianespace Flight VA233: Galileo FOC-M6 / SAT 15-16-17-18, November 17, 2016

Published on Nov 17, 2016

Arianespace’s Ariane 5 launcher has begun its latest mission from the Spaceport, carrying four satellites for Europe’s Galileo navigation system.

Lifting off at exactly 10:06:48 a.m. local time in French Guiana, the heavy-lift vehicle is to deploy its passengers on a flight lasting approximately 3 hrs., 55 min.

Payload lift performance for today’s mission – which is designated Flight VA233 in Arianespace’s launcher family numbering system – is estimated at 3,290 kg.

Galileo is an important infrastructure program for Europe, creating a civil global satellite navigation system that provides highly-accurate positioning with great precision and reliability.

It is funded by the European Union, with overall responsibility for management and implementation held by the European Commission – while design and development of the new generation of systems and infrastructure has been assigned to the European Space Agency.
 

Liftoff of Arianespace’s Ariane 5 with Star One D1 and JCSAT-15

Published on Dec 21, 2016

The Arianespace mission with Star One D1 and JCSAT-15 is now underway following Ariane 5’s liftoff from the Spaceport in French Guiana.

Total lift performance for today’s launch is approximately 10,722 kg., with the two satellites to be deployed during a flight lasting approximately 43 minutes.


VA234 - 12/21/2016

Published on Dec 21, 2016

Arianespace has successfully launched two satellites: Star One D1 for Embratel Star One, and JCSAT-15 for SKY Perfect JSAT Corporation.
The launch took place on December 21, 2016 at 5:30 p.m. (local time) from the Guiana Space Center, Europe’s Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana.
This was the 11th and final launch of the year for Arianespace, the seventh with Ariane 5 in 2016, as well as the heavy-lift launcher’s 76th consecutive success and its 90th launch overall.
 

Arianespace Flight VA235: SKY Brasil-1 and Telkom 3S

Published on Feb 14, 2017

Arianespace has successfully launched two satellites: SKY Brasil-1 for AT&T/DIRECTV; and Telkom 3S for Telkom Indonesia as part of a turnkey contract with Thales Alenia Space.

The flight took place on Tuesday, February 14, 2017 at 6:39 p.m. (local time) from the Guiana Space Center, Europe’s Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana. Christophe Sirugue, French Minister of State for Industry, was on hand for the launch.

Today’s launch was the second of the year for Arianespace and the first with the Ariane 5 heavy launcher, which also recorded its 77th successful mission in a row.
 
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