European Space Agency’s Ariane 5 Rocket Completes Final Launch
The European Space Agency (ESA) announced that its Ariane 5 rocket successfully took off from French Guinea for the last time on Wednesday night. The rocket carried two military communications satellites, Germany’s Heinrich Hertz (H2Sat) and France’s Syracuse 4b, into geostationary orbit.
This launch marks the end of a remarkable 27-year service for the Ariane 5 rocket. Its arrival in 1996 allowed Europe to establish itself in the communications satellite market. Notably, the Ariane 5 rocket also played a crucial role in the successful launch of NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope in December 2021.
The Ariane 5 rocket, described as the ESA’s “workhorse” rocket and one of the most reliable rockets, stands at an impressive height of 53 meters. It launched from the ESA spaceport in Kourou, French Guinea, located on South America’s northeast coast.
The final mission of the Ariane 5 rocket was initially scheduled for June 16 but faced two delays. The first delay was due to a technical problem, while the second delay was caused by unfavorable weather conditions. However, on Wednesday, the rocket finally lifted off at 7 p.m. local time (2300 GMT), as confirmed by the live broadcast.
The retirement of the Ariane 5 rocket marks the end of an era in European space exploration. Over its 117 missions, the rocket has played a vital role in advancing scientific research and communication capabilities. As the ESA bids farewell to the Ariane 5, it looks forward to the future with new rockets and technologies on the horizon.
Sources: Reuters, AFP
How did the Ariane 5 rocket contribute to Europe’s presence in the communications satellite market?
The European Space Agency (ESA) has bid farewell to its trusty Ariane 5 rocket after its successful final launch on Wednesday night. With two military communications satellites on board, the rocket soared into geostationary orbit from the ESA spaceport in French Guinea. This historic mission marks the end of an incredible 27-year journey for the Ariane 5, which played a key role in establishing Europe’s presence in the communications satellite market. It also made headlines for its crucial participation in the launch of NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope last December.
As one of the most reliable rockets in the ESA’s fleet, the Ariane 5 rocket has truly earned its title as the “workhorse.” Standing tall at an impressive height of 53 meters, it has successfully completed a staggering 117 missions over its storied career. However, the final launch did face some setbacks, experiencing delays due to technical issues and unfavorable weather conditions. But, on Wednesday, the rocket finally roared to life at 7 p.m. local time (2300 GMT), capturing the world’s attention.
The retirement of the Ariane 5 rocket signifies the end of an era in European space exploration. This iconic rocket has been instrumental in advancing scientific research and communication capabilities, leaving an indelible mark on the field. But as the ESA bids farewell to its beloved workhorse, it eagerly looks toward the future, with new rockets and technologies already on the horizon. The end of one chapter signals the beginning of another, and the European space industry is ready to embrace the exciting possibilities that lie ahead.
“So long, Ariane 5! A bittersweet farewell to a legendary rocket that has served ESA exceptionally well. Its final mission with the MilitarySatellite launch marks the end of an era. Looking forward to seeing what the future holds for ESA’s space exploration endeavors.”