Ariane 503 booster recovery, 1998

One of Ariane 503's two solid-propellant boosters was recovered from the Atlantic Ocean 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 Ariane 503 booster broke in half at about 10 km altitude and sank without deploying its parachutes. Ariane 505's boosters were the next planned for retrieval.