ARIANE 5, EUROPE’S HEAVY LAUNCHER

Ariane 5
EUROPE’S HEAVY LAUNCHER

Since 1979, Europe has had its own access to space with the highly successful series of Ariane launchers.

Currently, two versions of Ariane 5 are in use. The Ariane 5 ECA is designed to launch payloads weighing up to 10 tonnes, mainly telecommunications satellites, into GTO, Geostationary Transfer Orbit, and can handle dual launches of large satellites.

The Ariane 5 ES has been developed to deliver the ATV, Automated Transfer Vehicle, into its rendezvous orbit with the International Space Station. ESA’s ATV is a series of unmanned space transport vehicles that ferry supplies to the Station.

To maintain the competitiveness of Ariane 5 in the commercial market, ESA is preparing a more powerful and versatile version of the launcher, Ariane 5 ME, Mid-life Evolution, that will replace current ones within the next decade. This vehicle will respond to the need for heavier payloads for more complex missions.

Moreover, Ariane 5 ME will allow satellites to be injected into higher orbits thanks to the re-ignition capability of its upper stage.