Ar-503 EAP booster recovered

One of Ariane-503's two solid-propellant EAP boosters was recovered from the Atlantic and returned to the Kourou launch site for inspection. Although the boosters are not reusable, it is expected that two sets will be recovered each year to check their condition. The second Ar-503 booster broke in half at about 10km altitude and sank without deploying its parachutes. Ar-505's boosters are the next planned for retrieval. Ar-503 was launched at 16 [Image Date: 1998/11] [99.02.010-006]