Ariane (rocket family)
| Company type | Expendable launch vehicle family |
|---|---|
| Industry | Aerospace, Space launch |
| Predecessor | Europa program |
| Founded | 1973 |
| Founder | France, Germany, United Kingdom (initiative) |
| Headquarters | Kourou , French Guiana |
Area served | Space launch services |
Key people | European Space Agency, Aérospatiale (Airbus), Arianespace, ArianeGroup |
| Products | Launch vehicles (Ariane 1 to Ariane 6) |
| Parent | European Space Agency (development), Airbus (via Aérospatiale), ArianeGroup |
Ariane represents a lineup of European expendable launch vehicles designed for space missions. The designation originates from the French version of the mythological figure Ariadne. Initiated by France, the Ariane initiative was formally endorsed in late 1973 by France, Germany, and the United Kingdom. This effort marked Western Europe's second venture into creating an autonomous launcher following the unsuccessful Europa program. Internally, the project was known as L3S, meaning third-generation replacement launcher in French.
The European Space Agency (ESA) entrusted Aérospatiale (currently part of Airbus) with the development of Ariane rockets and associated test infrastructure. Meanwhile, Arianespace, established in 1980, assumed responsibility for manufacturing, launch operations, and commercial activities. Launches take place at the Guiana Space Centre located in Kourou, French Guiana. Following Airbus’s merger in 2000, its space division along with the joint venture ArianeGroup, created with Safran, took over Aérospatiale’s duties.
Ariane models
| Launch vehicle | Launch outcomes: successes / total | Variants | Payload capacity to GTO | Payload capacity to LEO | Height | Weight | Number of stages |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ariane 1 | 9 / 11 | - | 1,850 kg (4,080 lb) | - | 47.46 m (155.7 ft) | 211,500 kg (466,300 lb) | 3 |
| Ariane 2 | 5 / 6 | - | 2,180 kg (4,810 lb) | - | 49.13 m (161.2 ft) | 220,950 kg (487,110 lb) | 3 |
| Ariane 3 | 10 / 11 | - | 2,700 kg (6,000 lb) | - | 49.13 m (161.2 ft) | 234 t (258 short tons) | 3 |
| Ariane 4 | 113 / 116 | 40, 42P, 42L, 44P, 44LP, 44L | 2,000–4,300 kg (4,400–9,500 lb) | 5,000–7,600 kg (11,000–16,800 lb) | 58.72 m (192.7 ft) | 240–470 t (260–520 short tons) | 3 |
| Ariane 5 | 115 / 117 | G, G+, GS, ECA | 6,950–10,500 kg (15,320–23,150 lb) | 16,000–21,000 kg (35,000–46,000 lb) | 46–52 m (151–171 ft) | 720–780 t (790–860 short tons) | 2 |
| Ariane 6 | 1 / 2 | 62, 64 | 5,000–10,500 kg (11,000–23,100 lb) | 7,000–20,000 kg (15,000–44,000 lb) | ~63 m (207 ft) | 500–900 t (550–990 short tons) | 2 |
The initial Ariane 1 model was a three-stage rocket based on missile technology; it employed hypergolic fuels in its first two stages and used cryogenic liquid hydrogen/liquid oxygen (LH2/LOX) in the third stage. Enhancements implemented in Ariane versions 2 through 4 included upgraded engines and lengthened fuel tanks to increase payload capacity. Some larger configurations were capable of deploying two satellites simultaneously using the SPELDA dual-payload adapter.
Subsequent models incorporated strap-on boosters identified by suffixes that indicate both their quantity and type—either liquid or solid propellant. For instance, the Ariane 42P is equipped with two solid boosters, whereas the Ariane 44LP features two solid and two liquid boosters.
The Ariane 5 represents a substantial redesign featuring a single LH2/LOX core stage powered by one Vulcain engine complemented by two solid-fuel boosters that are not reusable. Its upper stage options include a restartable hypergolic engine known as Aestus or a cryogenic HM7B engine.
On May 4, 2007, an Ariane 5-ECA achieved a commercial payload record by placing two satellites with a combined mass of approximately 9.4 tonnes into orbit.
By January 2006, Ariane rockets had completed a total of 169 launches, delivering over 575,000 kilograms to orbit while maintaining an approximate success rate of 98%. The extensive deployment of Ariane vehicles is highlighted by the Cerise satellite’s collision with an Ariane rocket stage in orbit—the first confirmed incident involving catalogued space debris.
Significant achievements include the successful February 16, 2011 launch of the Johannes Kepler ATV resupply mission to the International Space Station (marking Ariane’s 200th flight), flight number 250 on November 26, 2019 carrying TIBA-1 and Inmarsat-5 F5 satellites, and the December 25, 2021 launch sending NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope toward the Lagrange point L2.
The final mission of Ariane 5 took place on July 5, 2023.
See also
- List of Ariane launches
- Liquid fly-back booster
- Comparison of orbital launchers families
- Diamant
- Europa (rocket)
- Vega
- French space program
- European Space Agency
- Arianespace