Europe’s Workhorse Rocket, Ariane 5, Completes Its Final Mission
On July 5, Europe bid farewell to its reliable workhorse rocket, the Ariane 5, as it completed its final mission. The rocket, which has been in service since 1996 and has conducted a total of 117 orbital liftoffs, launched from Europe’s Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana.
The mission commenced at 6 p.m. EDT, with the Ariane 5 soaring into the sky. Approximately 2.5 minutes into flight, the rocket’s solid rocket boosters separated from the core stage, which continued to burn, propelling the mission’s two satellites into space.
The core stage shut down around nine minutes after liftoff, and the upper stage separated to initiate its own burn. After around 30 minutes into the flight, the first satellite, named Heinrich-Hertz, was released into a geostationary transfer orbit high above Earth. Shortly after, the second payload, Syracuse 4B, followed suit.
According to Stéphane Israël, CEO of Arianespace, the company that operated the rocket, the Ariane 5 performed flawlessly in its final mission, solidifying its status as a legendary launcher.
The Heinrich-Hertz satellite, managed by the German space agency DLR, will serve as a test platform for new technological hardware and conduct scientific and technical experiments. Syracuse 4B, on the other hand, will replace its predecessor, Syracuse 4A, as a military communication relay for the French government.
Both satellites are destined for geostationary orbit, approximately 22,200 miles above Earth. They will reach this orbit by executing a series of engine burns.
The retirement of the Ariane 5 marks the end of its nearly 30-year operational career. It outperformed its predecessors and achieved a 96% success rate in its missions. Throughout its lifetime, the rocket has been instrumental in ensuring Europe’s autonomous access to space.
The European Space Agency (ESA) stated that the development of the Ariane 6, the Ariane 5’s replacement, has been ongoing for over a decade. The new rocket will offer improved flexibility, cost-efficiency, and the ability to handle various types of launches. However, setbacks have delayed its debut to late 2023, leaving Europe with a temporary gap in launch options.
ESA officials have explored alternative launcher options, including the possibility of utilizing SpaceX’s Falcon Heavy rocket for specific missions. Nonetheless, they are working diligently to guarantee the timely and reliable inaugural flight of the Ariane 6 as the preferred launch option for European missions requiring a heavy lift vehicle.
The final flight of the Ariane 5 was initially scheduled for June 16 but encountered delays due to technical issues with the solid rocket boosters. Weather conditions also led to the cancellation of the next planned attempt on July 4.
As Europe bids farewell to this iconic rocket, it looks toward the future and eagerly awaits the debut of the Ariane 6, which promises to take European space exploration to new heights.