Europe’s Ariane 5 Rocket to Launch for the Final Time on Wednesday
Europe’s trusty workhorse, the Ariane 5 rocket, is set to embark on its final mission on Wednesday, July 5. This historic liftoff can be witnessed live as the rocket takes flight from Europe’s Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana. The launch window opens at 6 pm EDT (2230 GMT; 7 pm local time).
Arianespace, the France-based company that operates the Ariane 5 for the European Space Agency (ESA), will provide a live webcast of the event. The webcast is scheduled to begin at 5 pm EDT (2100 GMT), offering extensive coverage of this significant moment.
However, the launch, originally planned for July 4, had to be postponed due to adverse weather conditions at the launch site and technical issues with the rocket. Concerns about unfavorable high altitude winds prompted Arianespace to delay the launch until July 5 to ensure a safe liftoff.
The mission, named VA261 by Arianespace, will carry two satellites to geostationary transfer orbit (GTO), a high elliptical path above Earth. One of the satellites, Heinrich-Hertz-Satellit, will facilitate research and testing of new communication technologies and scenarios for the German space agency. The other spacecraft, called Syracuse 4B, will provide permanent connectivity for the French Armed Forces during deployments while remaining impervious to extreme jamming methods. Additionally, Syracuse 4B is designed to support operations conducted by NATO and the EU.
Once deployed into GTO, both satellites will make their way to geostationary orbit, a circular path located approximately 22,200 miles above Earth’s surface.
The Ariane 5 rocket, with its unparalleled capabilities to deliver around 11 tons (10 metric tons) of payload to GTO and 22 tons (20 metric tons) to low Earth orbit, has been a prominent figure in Europe’s space exploration endeavors since its debut in 1996. Over its operational lifespan, the Ariane 5 has successfully carried numerous significant spacecraft, such as ESA’s Rosetta probe, which became the first-ever spacecraft to orbit a comet in March 2004, and NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope, which was launched on Christmas Day in 2021.
However, the retirement of the Ariane 5 marks the beginning of a new era. Arianespace is currently developing a successor rocket called the Ariane 6, aimed at surpassing the capabilities of its predecessor. Originally planned for a 2020 debut, several delays have pushed the launch of the Ariane 6 to late 2023 at the earliest.
As space enthusiasts and industry experts prepare to bid farewell to the Ariane 5, all eyes will be on the final liftoff, appreciating its remarkable contributions to European space achievements.