.jpg) Ariane 5 flightVA-256 on the launch pad with theJames Webb Space Telescope on December 2021 | |
| Function | Heavy-lift launch vehicle |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | ArianeGroup |
| Country of origin | European multi-national[a] |
| Cost per launch | €150–200 million (2016)[1] |
| Size | |
| Height | 46–52 m (151–171 ft) |
| Diameter | 5.4 m (18 ft) |
| Mass | 777,000 kg (1,713,000 lb)[clarification needed] |
| Stages | 2.5 |
| Capacity | |
| Payload toLEO | |
| Altitude | 260 km (160 mi) (circular) |
| Orbital inclination | 51.6° |
| Mass | G: 16,000 kg (35,000 lb) ES: >20,000 kg (44,000 lb)[2] |
| Payload toGTO | |
| Mass |
|
| Associated rockets | |
| Family | Ariane |
| Based on | Ariane 4 |
| Derivative work | Ariane 6 |
| Comparable | |
| Launch history | |
| Status | Retired |
| Launch sites | Guiana Space Centre,ELA-3 |
| Total launches | 117 (G: 16,G+: 3,GS: 6,ES: 8,ECA: 72,ECA+: 12) |
| Success(es) | 112 (G: 13,G+: 3,GS: 6,ES: 8,ECA: 70,ECA+: 12) |
| Failure | 2 (G: 1,ECA: 1) |
| Partial failure | 3 (G: 2,ECA: 1) |
| First flight |
|
| Last flight |
|
| Carries passengers or cargo | |
| Boosters (G, G+) – EAP P238 | |
| No. boosters | 2 |
| Height | 31.6 m (104 ft) |
| Diameter | 3.06 m (10.0 ft) |
| Gross mass | 270,000 kg (600,000 lb) |
| Maximum thrust | 6,650 kN (1,490,000 lbf) |
| Total thrust | 13,300 kN (3,000,000 lbf) |
| Burn time | 130 seconds |
| Propellant | AP,Al,HTPB |
| Boosters (GS, ECA, ES) – EAP P241 | |
| No. boosters | 2 |
| Height | 31.6 m (104 ft) |
| Diameter | 3.06 m (10.0 ft) |
| Empty mass | 33,000 kg (73,000 lb) |
| Gross mass | 273,000 kg (602,000 lb) |
| Maximum thrust | 7,080 kN (1,590,000 lbf) |
| Total thrust | 14,160 kN (3,180,000 lbf) |
| Burn time | 140 seconds |
| Propellant | AP,Al,HTPB |
| First stage (G, G+, GS) – EPC H158 | |
| Height | 23.8 m (78 ft) |
| Diameter | 5.4 m (18 ft) |
| Empty mass | 12,200 kg (26,900 lb) |
| Gross mass | 170,500 kg (375,900 lb) |
| Powered by | G/G+: 1 ×Vulcain 1 GS: 1 ×Vulcain 1B |
| Maximum thrust | vac: 1,015 kN (228,000 lbf) |
| Specific impulse | vac: 440 s (4.3 km/s) |
| Burn time | 605 seconds |
| Propellant | LH2 /LOX |
| First stage (ECA, ES) – EPC H173 | |
| Height | 23.8 m (78 ft) |
| Diameter | 5.4 m (18 ft) |
| Empty mass | 14,700 kg (32,400 lb) |
| Gross mass | 184,700 kg (407,200 lb) |
| Powered by | 1 ×Vulcain 2 |
| Maximum thrust | SL: 960 kN (220,000 lbf) vac: 1,390 kN (310,000 lbf) |
| Specific impulse | SL: 310 s (3.0 km/s) vac: 432 s (4.24 km/s) |
| Burn time | 540 seconds |
| Propellant | LH2 /LOX |
| Second stage (G) – EPS L9.7 | |
| Height | 3.4 m (11 ft) |
| Diameter | 5.4 m (18 ft) |
| Empty mass | 1,200 kg (2,600 lb) |
| Gross mass | 10,900 kg (24,000 lb) |
| Powered by | 1 ×Aestus |
| Maximum thrust | 27 kN (6,100 lbf) |
| Burn time | 1,100 seconds |
| Propellant | MMH /N2O4 |
| Second stage (G+, GS, ES) – EPS L10 | |
| Height | 3.4 m (11 ft) |
| Diameter | 5.4 m (18 ft) |
| Empty mass | 1,200 kg (2,600 lb) |
| Gross mass | 11,200 kg (24,700 lb) |
| Powered by | 1 ×Aestus |
| Maximum thrust | 27 kN (6,100 lbf) |
| Burn time | 1,170 seconds |
| Propellant | MMH /N2O4 |
| Second stage (ECA, ECA+) – ESC | |
| Height | 4.711 m (15.46 ft) |
| Diameter | 5.4 m (18 ft) |
| Empty mass | 4,540 kg (10,010 lb) |
| Gross mass | 19,440 kg (42,860 lb) |
| Powered by | 1 ×HM7B |
| Maximum thrust | 67 kN (15,000 lbf) |
| Specific impulse | 446 seconds |
| Burn time | 945 seconds |
| Propellant | LH2 /LOX |
Ariane 5 is a retired Europeanheavy-lift space launch vehicle operated byArianespace for theEuropean Space Agency (ESA). It was launched from theGuiana Space Centre (CSG) inFrench Guiana. It was used to deliver payloads intogeostationary transfer orbit (GTO),low Earth orbit (LEO) or further into space. The launch vehicle had a streak of 82 consecutive successful launches between 9 April 2003 and 12 December 2017. In development since 2014,[4]Ariane 6, a direct successor system was first launched in 2024.[5]
The system was designed as an expendable launch vehicle by theCentre national d'études spatiales (CNES), theFrench government's space agency, in cooperation with various European partners. Despite not being a direct derivative of its predecessor launch vehicle program, it was classified as part of theAriane rocket family.Aérospatiale, and laterArianeGroup, was the prime contractor for the manufacturing of the vehicles, leading a multi-country consortium of other European contractors. Ariane 5 was originally intended to launch theHermes spacecraft, and thus it wasrated for human space launches.
Since its first launch, Ariane 5 was refined in successive versions: "G", "G+", "GS", "ECA", and finally, "ES". The system had a commonly used dual-launch capability, where up to two large geostationary beltcommunication satellites can be mounted using aSYLDA (Système de Lancement Double Ariane, meaning "Ariane Double-Launch System") carrier system. Up to three, somewhat smaller, main satellites are possible depending on size using aSPELTRA (Structure Porteuse Externe Lancement Triple Ariane, which translates to "Ariane Triple-Launch External Carrier Structure"). Up to eight secondary payloads, usually small experiment packages orminisatellites, could be carried with anASAP (Ariane Structure for Auxiliary Payloads) platform.
Following the launch of 15 August 2020, Arianespace signed the contracts for the last eight Ariane 5 launches, before it was succeeded by the newAriane 6 launcher, according to Daniel Neuenschwander, director of space transportation at the ESA.[6][5] Ariane 5 flew its final mission on 5 July 2023.[7]
Ariane 5'scryogenic H173 main stage (H158 for Ariane 5G, G+, and GS) was called the EPC (Étage Principal Cryotechnique — Cryotechnic Main Stage). It consisted of a 5.4 m (18 ft) diameter by 30.5 m (100 ft) high tank with two compartments, one forliquid oxygen and one forliquid hydrogen, and aVulcain 2 engine at the base with a vacuum thrust of 1,390 kN (310,000 lbf). The H173 EPC weighed about 189 t (417,000 lb), including 175 t (386,000 lb) of propellant.[8] After the main cryogenic stage runs out of fuel, it re-entered the atmosphere for an ocean splashdown.
Attached to the sides were two P241 (P238 for Ariane 5G and G+)solid rocket boosters (SRBs or EAPs from the FrenchÉtages d'Accélération à Poudre —lit. 'Powder Acceleration Stages'), each weighing about 277 t (611,000 lb) full and delivering a thrust of about 7,080 kN (1,590,000 lbf). They were fueled by a mix ofammonium perchlorate (68%) and aluminium fuel (18%) andHTPB (14%). They each burned for 130 seconds before being dropped into the ocean. The SRBs were usually allowed to sink to the bottom of the ocean, but, like theSpace Shuttle Solid Rocket Boosters, they could be recovered with parachutes, and this was occasionally done for post-flight analysis. Unlike Space Shuttle SRBs, Ariane 5 boosters were not reused. The most recent attempt was for the first Ariane 5 ECA mission in 2009. One of the two boosters was successfully recovered and returned to the Guiana Space Center for analysis.[9] Prior to that mission, the last such recovery and testing was done in 2003.[citation needed]
The FrenchM51submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) shared a substantial amount of technology with these boosters.[10]
In February 2000, the suspectednose cone of an Ariane 5 booster washed ashore on theSouth Texas coast, and was recovered bybeachcombers before the government could get to it.[11]
The second stage was on top of the main stage and below the payload. The original Ariane — Ariane 5G — used the EPS (Étage à Propergols Stockables — Storable Propellant Stage), which was fueled bymonomethylhydrazine (MMH) andnitrogen tetroxide, containing 10,000 kg (22,000 lb) ofstorable propellant. The EPS was subsequently improved for use on the Ariane 5G+, GS, and ES.
The EPS upper stage was capable of repeated ignition, first demonstrated during flight V26 which was launched on 5 October 2007. This was purely to test the engine, and occurred after the payloads had been deployed. The first operational use of restart capability as part of a mission came on 9 March 2008, when two burns were made to deploy the firstAutomated Transfer Vehicle (ATV) into a circular parking orbit, followed by a third burn after ATV deployment to de-orbit the stage. This procedure was repeated for all subsequent ATV flights.
Ariane 5ECA used the ESC (Étage Supérieur Cryotechnique — Cryogenic Upper Stage), which was fueled by liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen. The ESC used theHM7B engine previously used in the Ariane 4 third stage. The propellent load of 14.7 tonne allowed the engine to burn for 945 seconds while providing 6.5 tonne of thrust. The ESC provided roll control during powered flight and full attitude control during payload separation using hydrogen gas thrusters. Oxygen gas thrusters allowed longitudinal acceleration after engine cutoff. The flight assembly included the Vehicle Equipment Bay, with flight electronics for the entire rocket, and the payload interface and structural support.[12][13]
The payload and all upper stages were covered at launch by a fairing for aerodynamic stability and protection from heating during supersonic flight and acoustic loads. It was jettisoned once sufficient altitude has been reached, typically above 100 km (62 mi; 54 nmi). It was made byRuag Space and since flight VA-238 it was composed of 4 panels.[14][clarification needed]
With the exception of the solid rocket boosters (for safety and cost reasons), the components were assembled in Europe, and then shipped to French Guyana by boat. Once at Kourou, the components were assembled in the Launcher Integration Building (BIL), then transfered into the Final Assembly Building (BAF) for mating the payload and fairing, before the completed rocket was transfered to the Launch Zone (ZL) for fueling and launch.[15]
| Variant | Description |
|---|---|
| G | The original version was dubbed Ariane 5G (Generic) and had a launch mass of 737 t (1,625,000 lb). Its payload capability to geostationary transfer orbit (GTO) was 6,900 kg (15,200 lb) for a single satellite or 6,100 kg (13,400 lb) for dual launches. It flew 16 times with one failure and two partial failures.[16] |
| G+ | The Ariane 5G+ had an improved EPS second stage, with a GTO capacity of 7,100 kg (15,700 lb) for a single payload or 6,300 kg (13,900 lb) for two. It flew three times in 2004, with no failures.[17] |
| GS | At the time of the failure of the first Ariane 5ECA flight in 2002, all Ariane 5 launchers in production were ECA versions. Some of the ECA cores were modified to use the original Vulcain engine and tank volumes while the failure was investigated; these vehicles were designated Ariane 5GS. The GS used the improved EAP boosters of the ECA variant and the improved EPS of the G+ variant, but the increased mass of the modified ECA core compared to the G and G+ core resulted in slightly reduced payload capacity.[18] Ariane 5GS could carry a single payload of 6,600 kg (14,600 lb) or a dual payload of 5,800 kg (12,800 lb) to GTO. The Ariane 5GS flew 6 times from 2005 to 2009 with no failures.[19] |
| ECA | The Ariane 5ECA (Evolution Cryotechnique type A), first flown in 2002 but ending in failure, and first successfully flown in 2005, used an improved Vulcain 2 first-stage engine with a longer, more efficient nozzle with a more efficient flow cycle and denser propellant ratio. The new ratio required length modifications to the first-stage tanks. The EPS second stage was replaced by the ESC-A (Etage Supérieur Cryogénique-A), which had a dry weight of 4,540 kg (10,010 lb) and was powered by anHM-7B engine burning 14,900 kg (32,800 lb) of cryogenicpropellant. The ESC-A used the liquid oxygen tank and lower structure from the Ariane 4's H10 third stage, mated to a new liquid hydrogen tank. Additionally, the EAP booster casings were lightened with new welds and carry more propellant. The Ariane 5ECA started with a GTO launch capacity of 9,100 kg (20,100 lb) for dual payloads or 9,600 kg (21,200 lb) for a single payload.[20] Later batches: PB+ and PC, increased the max payload to GTO to 11,115 kg (24,504 lb).[3] The Ariane 5 ECA flew 72 times from 2002 to 2019 with one failure and one partial failure. |
| ECA+ | The Ariane 5ECA+ (Evolution Cryotechnique type A+), first successfully flown in 2019, used an improved ESC-D (Etage Supérieur Cryogénique-D).[21] |
| ES | The Ariane 5ES (Evolution Storable) had an estimated LEO launch capacity of 21,000 kg (46,000 lb). It included all the performance improvements of Ariane 5ECA core and boosters but replaced the ESC-A second stage with the restartable EPS used on Ariane 5GS variants. It was used to launch theAutomated Transfer Vehicle (ATV) into a 260 km (160 mi) circular low Earth orbit inclined at 51.6° and was used 3 times tolaunch 4 Galileo navigation satellites at a time directly into their operational orbit.[2] The Ariane 5ES flew 8 times from 2008 to 2018 with no failures. |
| ME (cancelled) | The Ariane 5ME (Mid-life Evolution) was under development until December 2014 when funding was cut in favour of developingAriane 6. Last activities for Ariane 5ME were completed at the end of 2015.Vinci upper stage engine, under development for the 5ME, transferred to Ariane 6. |
As of November 2014[update], the Ariane 5 commercial launchprice for launching a "midsize satellite in the lower position" was approximately €50 million,[22] competing for commercial launches in an increasinglycompetitive market.
The heavier satellite was launched in the upper position on a typical dual-satellite Ariane 5 launch and was priced higher than the lower satellite,[23][clarification needed] on the order of €90 million as of 2013[update].[24][25]
Total launch price of an Ariane 5 – which could transport up to two satellites to space, one in the "upper" and one in the "lower" positions – was around €150 million as of January 2015[update].[25]
The Ariane 5ME (Mid-life Evolution) was in development into early 2015, and was seen as a stopgap between Ariane 5ECA/Ariane 5ES and the newAriane 6. With first flight planned for 2018, it would have become ESA's principal launcher until the arrival of the new Ariane 6 version. ESA halted funding for the development of Ariane 5ME in late 2014 to prioritize development of Ariane 6.[26]
The Ariane 5ME was to use a new upper stage, with increased propellant volume, powered by the newVinci engine. Unlike the HM-7B engine, it was to be able to restart several times, allowing for complex orbital maneuvers such as insertion of two satellites into different orbits, direct insertion into geosynchronous orbit, planetary exploration missions, and guaranteed upper stage deorbiting or insertion intograveyard orbit.[27][28] The launcher was also to include a lengthened fairing up to 20 m (66 ft) and a new dual launch system to accommodate larger satellites. Compared to an Ariane 5ECA model, the payload to GTO was to increase by 15% to 11,500 kg (25,400 lb) and the cost-per-kilogram of each launch was projected to decline by 20%.[27]
Originally known as the Ariane 5ECB, Ariane 5ME was to have its first flight in 2006. However, the failure of the first ECA flight in 2002, combined with a deteriorating satellite industry, caused ESA to cancel development in 2003.[29] Development of the Vinci engine continued, though at a lower pace. The ESA Council of Ministers agreed to fund development of the new upper stage in November 2008.[30]
In 2009,EADS Astrium was awarded a €200 million contract,[31] and on 10 April 2012 received another €112 million contract to continue development of the Ariane 5ME[32] with total development effort expected to cost €1 billion.[33]
On 21 November 2012, ESA agreed to continue with the Ariane 5ME to meet the challenge of lower priced competitors. It was agreed the Vinci upper stage would also be used as the second stage of a new Ariane 6, and further commonality would be sought.[28] Ariane 5ME qualification flight was scheduled for mid-2018, followed by gradual introduction into service.[27]
On 2 December 2014, ESA decided to stop funding the development of Ariane 5ME and instead focus on Ariane 6, which was expected to have a lower cost per launch and allow more flexibility in the payloads (using two or four P120C solid boosters depending on total payload mass).[26]
Work on the Ariane 5 EAP motors was continued in theVega programme. The Vega 1st stage engine – theP80 engine – was a shorter derivation of the EAP.[34] The P80 booster casing was made of filament wound graphite epoxy, much lighter than the current stainless steel casing. A new composite steerable nozzle was developed while new thermal insulation material and a narrower throat improved the expansion ratio and subsequently the overall performance. Additionally, the nozzle had electromechanical actuators which replaced the heavier hydraulic ones used for thrust vector control.
These developments could maybe have made their way back into the Ariane programme, but this was most likely an inference based on early blueprints of the Ariane 6 having a central P80 booster and 2-4 around the main one.[28][35] The incorporation of the ESC-B with the improvements to the solid motor casing and an uprated Vulcain engine would have delivered 27,000 kg (60,000 lb) to LEO. This would have been developed for any lunar missions but the performance of such a design might not have been possible if the higherMax-Q for the launch of this launch vehicle would have posed a constraint on the mass delivered to orbit.[36]
The design brief of the next generation launch vehicleAriane 6 called for a lower-cost and smaller launch vehicle capable of launching a single satellite of up to 6,500 kg (14,300 lb) to GTO.[37] However, after several permutations the finalized design was nearly identical in performance to the Ariane 5,[38] focusing instead on lowering fabrication costs and launch prices. As of March 2014[update], Ariane 6 was projected to be launched for about €70 million per flight, about half of the Ariane 5 price.[37]
Initially development of Ariane 6 was projected to cost €3.6 billion.[39] In 2017, the ESA set 16 July 2020 as the deadline for the first flight.[40] The Ariane 6 successfully completed its maiden flight on 9 July 2024.
Ariane 5's first test flight (Ariane 5 Flight 501) on 4 June 1996 failed, with the rocket self-destructing 37 seconds after launch because of a malfunction in the control software.[41] A data conversion from 64-bitfloating-point value to 16-bitsignedinteger value to be stored in a variable representing horizontal bias caused a processor trap (operand error)[42] because the floating-point value was too large to be represented by a 16-bit signed integer. The software had been written for theAriane 4 where efficiency considerations (the computer running the software had an 80% maximum workload requirement[42]) led to four variables being protected with ahandler while three others, including the horizontal bias variable, were left unprotected because it was thought that they were "physically limited or that there was a large margin of safety".[42] The software, written inAda, was included in the Ariane 5 through the reuse of an entire Ariane 4 subsystem despite the fact that the particular software containing the bug, which was just a part of the subsystem, was not required by the Ariane 5 because it has a different preparation sequence than the Ariane 4.[42]
The second test flight (L502, on 30 October 1997) was a partial failure. The Vulcain nozzle caused a roll problem, leading to premature shutdown of the core stage. The upper stage operated successfully, but it could not reach the intended orbit. A subsequent test flight (L503, on 21 October 1998) proved successful and the first commercial launch (L504) occurred on 10 December 1999 with the launch of theXMM-Newton X-ray observatory satellite.[43]
Another partial failure occurred on 12 July 2001, with the delivery of two satellites into an incorrect orbit, at only half the height of the intended GTO. The ESAArtemistelecommunications satellite was able to reach its intended orbit on 31 January 2003, through the use of its experimentalion propulsion system.
The next launch did not occur until 1 March 2002, when theEnvisatenvironmental satellite successfully reached an orbit of 800 km (500 mi) above theEarth in the 11th launch. At 8,111 kg (17,882 lb), it was the heaviest single payload until the launch of thefirst ATV on 9 March 2008, at 19,360 kg (42,680 lb).
The first launch of the ECA variant on 11 December 2002 ended in failure when a main booster problem caused the rocket to veer off-course, forcing its self-destruction three minutes into the flight. Its payload of two communications satellites (STENTOR andHot Bird 7), valued at about €630 million, was lost in theAtlantic Ocean. The fault was determined to have been caused by a leak in coolant pipes allowing the nozzle to overheat. After this failure,Arianespace SA delayed the expected January 2003 launch for theRosetta mission to 26 February 2004, but this was again delayed to early March 2004 due to a minor fault in the foam that protects the cryogenic tanks on the Ariane 5. The failure of the first ECA launch was the last failure of an Ariane 5 untilflight 241 in January 2018.
On 27 September 2003, the last Ariane 5G boosted three satellites (including the first European lunar probe,SMART-1), in Flight 162. On 18 July 2004, an Ariane 5G+ boosted what was at the time the heaviest telecommunication satellite ever,Anik F2, weighing almost 6,000 kg (13,000 lb).
The first successful launch of the Ariane 5ECA took place on 12 February 2005. The payload consisted of theXTAR-EUR military communications satellite, a 'SLOSHSAT' small scientific satellite and a MaqSat B2 payload simulator. The launch had been scheduled for October 2004, but additional testing and a military launch (of aHelios 2A observation satellite) delayed the attempt.
On 11 August 2005, the first Ariane 5GS (featuring the Ariane 5ECA's improved solid motors) boostedThaicom 4, the heaviest telecommunications satellite to date at 6,505 kg (14,341 lb),[44] into orbit.
On 16 November 2005, the third Ariane 5ECA launch (the second successful ECA launch) took place. It carried a dual payload consisting ofSpaceway F2 forDirecTV andTelkom-2 forPT Telekomunikasi ofIndonesia. This was the launch vehicle's heaviest dual payload to date, at more than 8,000 kg (18,000 lb).
On 27 May 2006, an Ariane 5ECA launch vehicle set a new commercial payload lifting record of 8,200 kg (18,100 lb). The dual-payload consisted of theThaicom 5 andSatmex 6 satellites.[45]
On 4 May 2007, the Ariane 5ECA set another new commercial record, lifting into transfer orbit theAstra 1L andGalaxy 17 communication satellites with a combined weight of 8,600 kg (19,000 lb), and a total payload weight of 9,400 kg (20,700 lb).[46] This record was again broken by another Ariane 5ECA, launching theSkynet 5B andStar One C1 satellites, on 11 November 2007. The total payload weight for this launch was of 9,535 kg (21,021 lb).[47]
On 9 March 2008, the first Ariane 5ES-ATV was launched to deliver the firstATV calledJules Verne to theInternational Space Station (ISS). The ATV was the heaviest payload ever launched by a European launch vehicle, providing supplies to the space station with necessary propellant, water, air and dry cargo. This was the first operational Ariane mission which involved an engine restart in the upper stage. The ES-ATV Aestus EPS upper stage was restartable while the ECA HM7-B engine was not.
On 1 July 2009, an Ariane 5ECA launchedTerreStar-1 (now EchoStar T1), which was then, at 6,910 kg (15,230 lb), the largest and most massive commercial telecommunication satellite ever built at that time[48] until being overtaken byTelstar 19 Vantage, at 7,080 kg (15,610 lb), launched aboardFalcon 9. The satellite was launched into a lower-energy orbit than a usual GTO, with its initial apogee at roughly 17,900 km (11,100 mi).[49]
On 28 October 2010, an Ariane 5ECA launchedEutelsat'sW3B (part of itsW Series of satellites) andBroadcasting Satellite System Corporation (B-SAT)'sBSAT-3b satellites into orbit. But the W3B satellite failed to operate shortly after the successful launch and was written off as a total loss due to an oxidizer leak in the satellite's main propulsion system.[50] The BSAT-3b satellite, however, is operating normally.[51]
TheVA253 launch on 15 August 2020 introduced two small changes that increased lift capacity by about 85 kg (187 lb); these were a lighter avionics and guidance-equipment bay, and modified pressure vents on the payload fairing, which were required for the subsequent launch of the James Webb Space Telescope. It also debuted a location system usingGalileo navigation satellites.[52]
On 25 December 2021,VA256 launched theJames Webb Space Telescope towards aSun–Earth L2halo orbit.[53] The precision of trajectory following launch led to fuel savings credited with potentially doubling the lifetime of the telescope by leaving morehydrazine propellant on board forstation-keeping than was expected.[53][54] According to Rudiger Albat, the program manager for Ariane 5, efforts had been made to select components for this flight that had performed especially well during pre-flight testing, including "one of the best Vulcain engines that we've ever built."[54]
On 22 April 2011, the Ariane 5ECA flight VA-201 broke a commercial record, liftingYahsat 1A andIntelsat New Dawn with a total payload weight of 10,064 kg (22,187 lb) to transfer orbit.[55] This record was later broken again during the launch of Ariane 5ECA flight VA-208 on 2 August 2012, lifting a total of 10,182 kg (22,447 lb) into the planned geosynchronous transfer orbit,[56] which was broken again 6 months later on flight VA-212 with 10,317 kg (22,745 lb) sent towards geosynchronous transfer orbit.[57] In June 2016, the GTO record was raised to 10,730 kg (23,660 lb),[58] on the first rocket in history that carried a satellite dedicated to financial institutions.[59] The payload record was pushed a further 5 kg (11 lb), up to 10,735 kg (23,667 lb) on 24 August 2016 with the launch ofIntelsat 33e andIntelsat 36.[60] On 1 June 2017, the payload record was broken again to 10,865 kg (23,953 lb) carryingViaSat-2 andEutelsat-172B.[61] In 2021 VA-255 put 11,210 kg into GTO.
On 25 January 2018, an Ariane 5ECA launchedSES-14 andAl Yah 3 satellites. About 9 minutes and 28 seconds after launch, a telemetry loss occurred between the launch vehicle and the ground controllers. It was later confirmed, about 1 hour and 20 minutes after launch, that both satellites were successfully separated from the upper stage and were in contact with their respective ground controllers,[62] but that their orbital inclinations were incorrect as the guidance systems might have been compromised. Therefore, both satellites conducted orbital procedures, extending commissioning time.[63] SES-14 needed about 8 weeks longer than planned commissioning time, meaning that entry into service was reported early September instead of July.[64] Nevertheless, SES-14 is still expected to be able to meet the designed lifetime. This satellite was originally to be launched with more propellant reserve on aFalcon 9 launch vehicle since the Falcon 9, in this specific case, was intended to deploy this satellite into a high inclination orbit that would require more work from the satellite to reach its final geostationary orbit.[65] The Al Yah 3 was also confirmed healthy after more than 12 hours without further statement, and like SES-14, Al Yah 3's maneuvering plan was also revised to still fulfill the original mission.[66] As of 16 February 2018, Al Yah 3 was approaching the intended geostationary orbit, after series of recovery maneuvers had been performed.[67] The investigation showed that invalid inertial units' azimuth value had sent the vehicle 17° off course but to the intended altitude, they had been programmed for the standard geostationary transfer orbit of 90° when the payloads were intended to be 70° for this supersynchronous transfer orbit mission, 20° off norme.[68] This mission anomaly ended the 82 consecutive launch success streak from 2003.[69]
Ariane 5 launch vehicles had accumulated 117 launches, 112 of which were successful, yielding a95.7% success rate. Between April 2003 and December 2017, Ariane 5 flew 83 consecutive missions without failure, but the launch vehiclesuffered a partial failure in January 2018.[70]
All launches are fromGuiana Space Centre,ELA-3.
| # | Flight no. | Date Time (UTC) | Rocket type Serial no. | Payload | Total payload mass (including launch adapters and SYLDA) | Orbit | Customers | Launch outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | V-88[71] | 4 June 1996 12:34 | G 501 | Cluster | Failure | |||
| 2 | V-101 | 30 October 1997 13:43 | G 502 | MaqSat-H,TEAMSAT,MaqSat-B,YES | Partial failure[72] | |||
| 3 | V-112 | 21 October 1998 16:37 | G 503 | MaqSat 3,ARD | ~6,800 kg | GTO | Success | |
| 4 | V-119 | 10 December 1999 14:32 | G 504 | XMM-Newton | 3,800 kg | HEO | Success | |
| 5 | V-128 | 21 March 2000 23:28[73] | G 505 | INSAT-3B AsiaStar | ~5,800 kg | GTO | Success | |
| 6 | V-130 | 14 September 2000 22:54[73] | G 506 | Astra 2B GE-7 | ~4,700 kg | GTO | Success | |
| 7 | V-135 | 16 November 2000 01:07[73] | G 507 | PanAmSat-1R Amsat-P3D STRV 1C STRV 1D | ~6,600 kg | GTO | Success | |
| 8 | V-138 | 20 December 2000 00:26[73] | G 508 | Astra 2D GE-8 LDREX | ~4,700 kg | GTO | Success | |
| 9 | V-140 | 8 March 2001 22:51[73] | G 509 | Eurobird-1 BSAT-2a | ~5,400 kg | GTO | Success | |
| 10 | V-142 | 12 July 2001 21:58[73] | G 510 | Artemis BSAT-2b | ~5,400 kg | GTO (planned) MEO (achieved) | Partial failure | |
| Upper stage underperformed, payloads were placed in an unusable orbit. Artemis was raised to its target orbit at the expense of operational fuel; BSAT-2b was not recoverable. | ||||||||
| 11 | V-145 | 1 March 2002 01:07[73] | G 511 | Envisat | 8,111 kg | SSO | Success | |
| 12 | V-153 | 5 July 2002 23:22[73] | G 512 | Stellat 5 N-STAR c | ~6,700 kg | GTO | Success | |
| 13 | V-155 | 28 August 2002 22:45[73] | G 513 | Atlantic Bird 1 MSG-1 MFD | ~5,800 kg | GTO | Success | |
| 14 | V-157 | 11 December 2002 22:22[73] | ECA 517 | Hot Bird 7 STENTOR MFD-A MFD-B | GTO (planned) | Failure | ||
| Maiden flight of Ariane 5ECA, first stage engine failure, rocket destroyed byrange safety. | ||||||||
| 15 | V-160 | 9 April 2003 22:52[73] | G 514 | INSAT-3A Galaxy 12 | ~5,700 kg | GTO | Success | |
| 16 | V-161 | 11 June 2003 22:38[73] | G 515 | Optus C1 BSAT-2c | ~7,100 kg | GTO | Success | |
| 17 | V-162 | 27 September 2003 23:14[73] | G 516 | INSAT-3E eBird-1 SMART-1 | ~5,600 kg | GTO | Success | |
| Final flight of Ariane 5G | ||||||||
| 18 | V-158 | 2 March 2004 07:17[73] | G+ 518 | Rosetta Philae | 3,011 kg | Heliocentric | Success | |
| Maiden flight of Ariane 5G+ | ||||||||
| 19 | V-163 | 18 July 2004 00:44[73] | G+ 519 | Anik F2 | 5,950 kg | GTO | Success | |
| 20 | V-165 | 18 December 2004 16:26[73] | G+ 520 | Helios 2A Essaim-1 Essaim-2 Essaim-3 Essaim-4 PARASOL Nanosat 01 | 4,200 kg | SSO | Success | |
| Final flight of Ariane 5G+ | ||||||||
| 21 | V-164 | 12 February 2005 21:03[73] | ECA 521 | XTAR-EUR Maqsat-B2 Sloshsat-FLEVO | ~8,400 kg | GTO | Success | |
| 22 | V-166 | 11 August 2005 08:20[73] | GS 523 | Thaicom 4 | 6,485 kg | GTO | Success | |
| Maiden flight of Ariane 5GS | ||||||||
| 23 | V-168 | 13 October 2005 22:32[73] | GS 524 | Syracuse 3A Galaxy 15 | ~6,900 kg | GTO | Success | |
| 24 | V-167 | 16 November 2005 23:46[73] | ECA 522 | Spaceway-2 Telkom-2 | ~9,100 kg | GTO | Success | |
| 25 | V-169 | 21 December 2005 23:33[73] | GS 525 | INSAT-4A MSG-2 | 6,478 kg | GTO | Success | |
| 26 | V-170 | 11 March 2006 22:33[73] | ECA 527 | Spainsat Hot Bird 7A | ~8,700 kg | GTO | Success | |
| 27 | V-171 | 27 May 2006 21:09[73] | ECA 529 | Satmex-6 Thaicom 5 | 9,172 kg | GTO | Success | |
| 28 | V-172 | 11 August 2006 22:15[73] | ECA 531 | JCSAT-10 Syracuse 3B | ~8,900 kg | GTO | Success | |
| 29 | V-173 | 13 October 2006 20:56[73] | ECA 533 | DirecTV-9S Optus D1 LDREX-2 | ~9,300 kg | GTO | Success | |
| 30 | V-174 | 8 December 2006 22:08[73] | ECA 534 | WildBlue-1 AMC-18 | ~7,800 kg | GTO | Success | |
| 31 | V-175 | 11 March 2007 22:03[73] | ECA 535 | Skynet 5A INSAT-4B | ~8,600 kg | GTO | Success | |
| 32 | V-176 | 4 May 2007 22:29[73] | ECA 536 | Astra 1L Galaxy 17 | 9,402 kg | GTO | Success | |
| 33 | V-177 | 14 August 2007 23:44[73] | ECA 537 | Spaceway-3 BSAT-3a | 8,848 kg | GTO | Success | |
| 34 | V-178 | 5 October 2007 22:02[73] | GS 526 | Intelsat 11 Optus D2 | 5,857 kg | GTO | Success | |
| 35 | V-179 | 14 November 2007 22:03[73] | ECA 538 | Skynet 5B Star One C1 | 9,535 kg | GTO | Success | |
| 36 | V-180 | 21 December 2007 21:41[73] | GS 530 | Rascom-QAF1 Horizons-2 | ~6,500 kg | GTO | Success | |
| 37 | V-181 | 9 March 2008 04:03[73] | ES 528 | Jules Verne ATV | LEO (ISS) | Success | ||
| Maiden flight of Ariane 5ES | ||||||||
| 38 | V-182 | 18 April 2008 22:17[73] | ECA 539 | Star One C2 Vinasat-1 | 7,762 kg | GTO | Success | |
| 39 | V-183 | 12 June 2008 22:05 | ECA 540 | Skynet 5C Türksat 3A | 8,541 kg | GTO | Success | |
| 40 | V-184 | 7 July 2008 21:47 | ECA 541 | ProtoStar-1 Badr-6 | 8,639 kg | GTO | Success | |
| 41 | V-185 | 14 August 2008 20:44 | ECA 542 | Superbird-7 AMC-21 | 8,068 kg | GTO | Success | |
| 42 | V-186 | 20 December 2008 22:35 | ECA 543 | Hot Bird 9 Eutelsat W2M | 9,220 kg | GTO | Success | |
| 43 | V-187 | 12 February 2009 22:09 | ECA 545 | Hot Bird 10 NSS-9 Spirale-A Spirale-B | 8,511 kg | GTO | Success | |
| 44 | V-188 | 14 May 2009 13:12 | ECA 546 | Herschel Space Observatory Planck | 3,402 kg | Sun–EarthL2 | Success | |
| 45 | V-189 | 1 July 2009 19:52 | ECA 547 | TerreStar-1 | 7,055 kg | GTO | Success | |
| 46 | V-190 | 21 August 2009 22:09 | ECA 548 | JCSAT-12 Optus D3 | 7,655 kg | GTO | Success | |
| 47 | V-191 | 1 October 2009 21:59 | ECA 549 | Amazonas 2 COMSATBw-1 | 9,087 kg | GTO | Success | |
| 48 | V-192 | 29 October 2009 20:00 | ECA 550 | NSS-12 Thor-6 | 9,462 kg | GTO | Success | |
| 49 | V-193 | 18 December 2009 16:26 | GS 532 | Helios 2B | 5,954 kg | SSO | Success | |
| Final flight of Ariane 5GS | ||||||||
| 50 | V-194 | 21 May 2010 22:01 | ECA 551 | Astra 3B COMSATBw-2 | 9,116 kg | GTO | SES MilSat Services | Success |
| 51 | V-195 | 26 June 2010 21:41 | ECA 552 | Arabsat-5A Chollian | 8,393 kg | GTO | Arabsat KARI | Success |
| 52 | V-196 | 4 August 2010 20:59 | ECA 554 | Nilesat 201 RASCOM-QAF 1R | 7,085 kg | GTO | Nilesat RASCOM | Success |
| 53 | V-197 | 28 October 2010 21:51 | ECA 555 | Eutelsat W3B BSAT-3b | 8,263 kg | GTO | Eutelsat Broadcasting Satellite System Corporation | Success |
| Eutelsat W3B suffered a leak in the propulsion system shortly after launch and was declared a total loss.[74] BSAT-3b is operating normally. | ||||||||
| 54 | V-198 | 26 November 2010 18:39 | ECA 556 | Intelsat 17 HYLAS-1 | 8,867 kg | GTO | Intelsat Avanti Communications | Success |
| 55 | V-199 | 29 December 2010 21:27 | ECA 557 | Koreasat 6 Hispasat-1E | 9,259 kg | GTO | KT Corporation Hispasat | Success |
| 56 | V-200 | 16 February 2011 21:50 | ES 544 | Johannes Kepler ATV | 20,050 kg | LEO (ISS) | ESA | Success |
| 57 | VA-201 | 22 April 2011 21:37 | ECA 558 | Yahsat 1A New Dawn | 10,064 kg | GTO | Al Yah Satellite Communications Intelsat | Success |
| Launch was scrubbed from 30 March 2011, aborted in the last seconds before liftoff due to a gimbal malfunction in the Vulcain main engine.[75] | ||||||||
| 58 | VA-202 | 20 May 2011 20:38 | ECA 559 | ST-2 GSAT-8 | 9,013 kg | GTO | Singapore Telecom ISRO | Success |
| 59 | VA-203 | 6 August 2011 22:52 | ECA 560 | Astra 1N BSAT-3c /JCSAT-110R | 9,095 kg | GTO | SES Broadcasting Satellite System Corporation | Success |
| 60 | VA-204 | 21 September 2011 21:38 | ECA 561 | Arabsat-5C SES-2 | 8,974 kg | GTO | Arab Satellite Communications Organization SES | Success |
| 61 | VA-205 | 23 March 2012 04:34 | ES 553 | Edoardo Amaldi ATV | 20,060 kg | LEO (ISS) | ESA | Success |
| 62 | VA-206 | 15 May 2012 22:13 | ECA 562 | JCSAT-13 Vinasat-2 | 8,381 kg | GTO | SKY Perfect JSAT VNPT | Success |
| 63 | VA-207 | 5 July 2012 21:36 | ECA 563 | EchoStar XVII MSG-3 | 9,647 kg | GTO | EchoStar EUMETSAT | Success |
| 64 | VA-208 | 2 August 2012 20:54 | ECA 564 | Intelsat 20 HYLAS 2 | 10,182 kg | GTO | Intelsat Avanti Communications | Success |
| 65 | VA-209 | 28 September 2012 21:18 | ECA 565 | Astra 2F GSAT-10 | 10,211 kg | GTO | SES ISRO | Success |
| 66 | VA-210 | 10 November 2012 21:05 | ECA 566 | Eutelsat 21B Star One C3 | 9,216 kg | GTO | Eutelsat Star One | Success |
| 67 | VA-211 | 19 December 2012 21:49 | ECA 567 | Skynet 5D Mexsat-3 | 8,637 kg | GTO | Astrium Mexican Satellite System | Success |
| 68 | VA-212 | 7 February 2013 21:36 | ECA 568 | Amazonas 3 Azerspace-1/Africasat-1a | 10,350 kg | GTO | Hispasat Azercosmos[76] | Success |
| 69 | VA-213 | 5 June 2013 21:52 | ES 592 | Albert Einstein ATV | 20,252 kg | LEO (ISS) | ESA | Success |
| 70 | VA-214 | 25 July 2013 19:54 | ECA 569 | Alphasat I-XL INSAT-3D | 9,760 kg | GTO | Inmarsat ISRO | Success |
| 71 | VA-215 | 29 August 2013 20:30 | ECA 570 | Eutelsat 25B/Es'hail 1 GSAT-7 | 9,790 kg | GTO | Eutelsat ISRO | Success |
| 72 | VA-217 | 6 February 2014 21:30 | ECA 572 | ABS-2 Athena-Fidus | 10,214 kg | GTO | ABS (satellite operator) DIRISI | Success |
| 73 | VA-216 | 22 March 2014 22:04 | ECA 571 | Astra 5B Amazonas 4A | 9,579 kg | GTO | SES Hispasat | Success |
| 74 | VA-219 | 29 July 2014 23:47 | ES 593 | Georges Lemaître ATV | 20,293 kg | LEO (ISS) | ESA | Success |
| 75 | VA-218 | 11 September 2014 22:05 | ECA 573 | MEASAT-3b Optus 10 | 10,088 kg | GTO | MEASAT Satellite Systems Optus | Success |
| 76 | VA-220 | 16 October 2014 21:43 | ECA 574 | Intelsat 30 ARSAT-1 | 10,060 kg | GTO | Intelsat ARSAT | Success |
| 77 | VA-221 | 6 December 2014 20:40 | ECA 575 | DirecTV-14 GSAT-16 | 10,210 kg | GTO | DirecTV ISRO | Success |
| 78 | VA-222 | 26 April 2015 20:00 | ECA 576 | Thor 7 SICRAL-2 | 9,852 kg | GTO | British Satellite Broadcasting French Armed Forces | Success |
| 79 | VA-223 | 27 May 2015 21:16 | ECA 577 | DirecTV-15 SKY Mexico 1 | 9,960 kg | GTO | DirecTV Sky México | Success |
| 80 | VA-224 | 15 July 2015 21:42 | ECA 578 | Star One C4 MSG-4 | 8,587 kg | GTO | Star One EUMETSAT | Success |
| 81 | VA-225 | 20 August 2015 20:34 | ECA 579 | Eutelsat 8 West B Intelsat 34 | 9,922 kg | GTO | Eutelsat Intelsat | Success |
| 82 | VA-226 | 30 September 2015 20:30 | ECA 580 | NBN Co 1A ARSAT-2 | 10,203 kg | GTO | National Broadband Network ARSAT | Success |
| 83 | VA-227 | 10 November 2015 21:34 | ECA 581 | Arabsat 6B GSAT-15 | 9,810 kg | GTO | Arabsat ISRO | Success |
| 84 | VA-228 | 27 January 2016 23:20 | ECA 583 | Intelsat 29e | 6,700 kg | GTO | Intelsat | Success |
| 85 | VA-229 | 9 March 2016 05:20 | ECA 582 | Eutelsat 65 West A | 6,707 kg | GTO | Eutelsat | Success |
| 86 | VA-230 | 18 June 2016 21:38 | ECA 584 | EchoStar 18 BRISat | 10,730 kg | GTO | EchoStar Bank Rakyat Indonesia | Success |
| This mission carried the first satellite owned by a financial institution.[77] | ||||||||
| 87 | VA-232 | 24 August 2016 22:16 | ECA 586 | Intelsat 33e Intelsat 36 | 10,735 kg | GTO | Intelsat | Success |
| Intelsat 33e'sLEROS apogee engine, which supposed to perform orbit raising, failed soon after its successful launch, forcing to use the experimentation of low-thrust reaction control system which extended the commissioning time 3 months longer than expected.[78] Later, it suffered other thruster problems which cut its operational lifetime by about 3.5 years.[79] | ||||||||
| 88 | VA-231 | 5 October 2016 20:30 | ECA 585 | NBN Co 1B GSAT-18 | 10,663 kg | GTO | National Broadband Network INSAT | Success |
| 89 | VA-233 | 17 November 2016 13:06 | ES 594 | Galileo FOC-M6 (satellites FM-7, 12, 13, 14) | 3,290 kg | MEO | ESA | Success |
| 90 | VA-234 | 21 December 2016 20:30 | ECA 587 | Star One D1 JCSAT-15 | 10,722 kg | GTO | Star One SKY Perfect JSAT | Success |
| 91 | VA-235 | 14 February 2017 21:39 | ECA 588 | Intelsat 32e /SkyBrasil-1 Telkom-3S | 10,485 kg | GTO | Intelsat,DirecTV Latin America Telkom Indonesia | Success |
| This mission carried the first Intelsat EpicNG high-throughput satellite based on theEurostar E3000 platform, while other Intelsat EpicNG satellites were based onBSS-702MP platform.[80] | ||||||||
| 92 | VA-236 | 4 May 2017 21:50 | ECA 589 | Koreasat 7 SGDC-1 | 10,289 kg | GTO | KT Corporation SGDC | Success |
| The launch was delayed from March 2017 due to transportation to the launch site being restricted by a blockade erected by striking workers.[81] | ||||||||
| 93 | VA-237 | 1 June 2017 23:45 | ECA 590 | ViaSat-2 Eutelsat 172B | 10,865 kg | GTO | ViaSat Eutelsat | Success |
| Heaviest and most expensive commercial payload ever put into orbit,[82] valued at approximately €675 million (~€844 million including the launch vehicle),[83] until 12 June 2019, when Falcon 9 deliveredRADARSAT Constellation with three Canadian satellites, valued almost €844 million (not including the launch vehicle), into orbit.[84] ViaSat-2 suffered antenna glitch, which cut about 15% of its intended throughput.[85] | ||||||||
| 94 | VA-238 | 28 June 2017 21:15 | ECA 591 | EuropaSat /Hellas Sat 3 GSAT-17 | 10,177 kg | GTO | Inmarsat /Hellas Sat ISRO | Success |
| 95 | VA-239 | 29 September 2017 21:56 | ECA 5100 | Intelsat 37e BSAT-4a | 10,838 kg | GTO | Intelsat B-SAT | Success |
| Launch was scrubbed from 5 September 2017 due to electrical fault in one of the solid rocket boosters that caused launch abort in the last seconds before liftoff.[86] | ||||||||
| 96 | VA-240 | 12 December 2017 18:36 | ES 595 | Galileo FOC-M7 (satellites FM-19, 20, 21, 22) | 3,282 kg | MEO | ESA | Success |
| 97 | VA-241 | 25 January 2018 22:20 | ECA 5101 | SES-14 withGOLD Al Yah 3 | 9,123 kg | GTO | SES,NASA AlYahsat | Partial failure |
| Telemetry from the launch vehicle was lost after 9 minutes 30 seconds into the flight, after launch vehicle trajectory went off course due to invalid inertial units' azimuth value.[68] Satellites later found to have separated from the upper stage and entered an incorrect orbit with large inclination deviations.[87][88] However, they were able to reach the planned orbit with small loss of on board propellant for SES-14 and still expected to meet the designed lifetime,[89] but with significant loss on Al Yah 3 (up to 50% of its intended operational life).[90][91] | ||||||||
| 98 | VA-242 | 5 April 2018 21:34 | ECA 5102 | Superbird-8 /Superbird-B3 HYLAS-4 | 10,260 kg | GTO | Japanese MoD,SKY Perfect JSAT Avanti Communications | Success |
| Return-to-flight mission after VA-241 mishap on 25 January 2018.[92] | ||||||||
| 99 | VA-244 | 25 July 2018 11:25 | ES 596 | Galileo FOC-M8 (satellites FM-23, 24, 25, 26) | 3,379 kg | MEO | ESA | Success |
| Final flight of Ariane 5ES. | ||||||||
| 100 | VA-243 | 25 September 2018 22:38 | ECA 5103 | Horizons-3e Azerspace-2 / Intelsat 38 | 10,827 kg | GTO | Intelsat,SKY Perfect JSAT Azercosmos | Success |
| Hundredth Ariane 5 mission.[93] Flight VA-243 was delayed from 25 May 2018 due to issues withGSAT-11, which was eventually replaced by Horizons-3e.[94] | ||||||||
| 101 | VA-245 | 20 October 2018 01:45 | ECA 5105 | BepiColombo | 4,081 kg | Heliocentric | ESA JAXA | Success |
| 102 | VA-246 | 4 December 2018 20:37 | ECA 5104 | 10,298 kg | GTO | Success | ||
| 103 | VA-247 | 5 February 2019 21:01 | ECA 5106 | 10,018 kg | GTO | Success | ||
| 104 | VA-248 | 20 June 2019 21:43 | ECA 5107 | 10,594 kg | GTO | Success | ||
| 105 | VA-249 | 6 August 2019 19:30 | ECA 5108 | 10,594 kg | GTO | Success | ||
| 106 | VA-250 | 26 November 2019 21:23[102] | ECA 5109 | Inmarsat-5 F5 (GX 5)[103][104] TIBA-1[105] | 10,495 kg | GTO | Inmarsat Government of Egypt | Success[106] |
| 107 | VA-251 | 16 January 2020 21:05 | ECA 5110 | Eutelsat Konnect (African Broadband Satellite)[107] GSAT-30 | 7,888 kg | GTO | Eutelsat ISRO | Success |
| 108 | VA-252 | 18 February 2020 22:18 | ECA 5111 | JCSAT-17 GEO-KOMPSAT 2B | 9,236 kg | GTO | SKY Perfect JSAT KARI | Success |
| 109 | VA-253 | 15 August 2020 22:04 | ECA 5112 | Galaxy 30 MEV-2 BSAT-4b | 10,468 kg[108] including 765 kg of support structures. | GTO | Intelsat Northrop Grumman B-SAT | Success |
| 110 | VA-254 | 30 July 2021 21:00 | ECA 5113 | Eutelsat Quantum Star One D2 | 10,515 kg | GTO | Eutelsat Star One | Success |
| 111 | VA-255 | 24 October 2021 02:10 | ECA 5115 | SES-17 Syracuse 4A | 11,210 kg[109] | GTO | SES DGA | Success |
| 112 | VA-256 | 25 December 2021 12:20 | ECA 5114 | James Webb Space Telescope | 6,161.4 kg (13,584 lb) | Sun–EarthL2 | NASA /ESA /CSA /STScI | Success |
| 113 | VA-257 | 22 June 2022 21:50 | ECA 5116 | MEASAT-3d GSAT-24 | 9,829 kg | GTO | MEASAT NSIL /Tata Play | Success |
| 114 | VA-258 | 7 September 2022 21:45 | ECA 5117 | Eutelsat Konnect VHTS | 6,400 kg | GTO | Eutelsat | Success |
| 115 | VA-259 | 13 December 2022 20:30 | ECA 5118 | Galaxy 35 Galaxy 36 MTG-I1 | 10,972 kg[110] | GTO | Intelsat EUMETSAT | Success |
| 116 | VA-260 | 14 April 2023 12:14 | ECA 5120 | Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer (JUICE) | 5,963 kg | Heliocentric | ESA | Success |
| 117 | VA-261 | 5 July 2023 22:00 | ECA 5119 | Syracuse 4B (Comsat-NG 2)[111] Heinrich Hertz (H2Sat) | 7,679.8 kg[112] | GTO | DGA DLR | Success |
| Ariane 5's last mission. | ||||||||
Advertised at US$56.5 million per launch, Falcon 9 missions to GTO cost almost US$15 million less than a ride atop a Chinese Long March 3B and are competitive with the cost to launch a midsize satellite in the lower position on a European Ariane 5ECA
The Arianespace commercial launch consortium is telling its customers it is open to reducing the cost of flights for lighter satellites on the Ariane 5 rocket in response to the challenge posed by SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket...
The commercial market for launching telecoms spacecraft is tightly contested, but has become dominated by just a few companies – notably, Europe's Arianespace, which flies the Ariane 5, and International Launch Services (ILS), which markets Russia's Proton vehicle. SpaceX is promising to substantially undercut the existing players on price, and SES, the world's second-largest telecoms satellite operator, believes the incumbents had better take note of the California company's capability. "The entry of SpaceX into the commercial market is a game-changer...
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