On the 5 June 2002
ESAÕs Atmospheric Re-entry Demonstrator arrived at Cit? de lÕEspace in Toulouse, France where it will form part of the Ariane 5 launcher exhibit. The ARD is EuropeÕs first step towards developing a re-entry vehicle so that people and equipment can be sent into space - and brought back safely.
 
The ARD was launched in October 1998 by an Ariane 5 from EuropeÕs spaceport in French Guiana. After performing a sub-orbital flight and reaching an altitude of 830 km it landed in the Pacific Ocean within 5 km of the predicted touchdown point. On recovery the ARD underwent post-flight testing at the EADS Launch Vehicles premises in Bordeaux.
This video is a summary of the ARD from arrival in Kourou to the recovery following a successful launch. The images carry clean international sound.
 
 

00:02:00 ESA Logo
00:02:06 HMS Toucan, Kourou, Guyane
00:02:11 Transportation of ARD and integration into Ariane 5 launcher
00:03:03 Lancement (Liftoff) Ariane 5
00:03:55 Separation EAP
00:04:31 Separation ARD
00:04:43 Rentree dans l'atmosphere (Reentry)
00:05:12 Recuperation (Recovery)
00:06:03 Credits slate
00:06:07 END