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The European warhorse Ariane 5 launched its 100th launch tonight (25 September), carrying two communications satellites in orbit in a dramatic outburst.
An undisclosed problem ended the countdown 94 seconds before the scheduled start time of 5:53 pm. EDT (2153 GMT, 18:53 local time at the Kourou launch site, French Guiana). The webcast of the French company Arianespace, which had more than 3,000 viewers at the time, was suddenly killed, a scrolling banner indicating that the launch was pending.
Some updates followed for the next 45 minutes. But at the end of tonight's launch window – 6:38 pm EDT (22:38 GMT; 19:38 local time) – the Ariane 5 climbed into the dark sky, lighting up the banks of clouds enveloping the wet launching pad. [The Most Exciting Space Missions to Watch in 2018]
The rocket entered space, deploying first one satellite then the other. The control of the Arianespace mission at the Guiana Space Center broke out with applause as the second spacecraft was successfully deployed around 19:20. EDT (23:20 GMT, 20:20 local time).
"The launcher has once again proved its worth, congratulations to all," said Stéphane Israël, CEO of Arianespace, in a speech broadcast on the Arianespace YouTube channel a few minutes after the second deployment. of satellites.
An Arianespace Ariane 5 rocket is launched during its 100th mission, taking off on 25 September 2018 from the European spaceport of Kourou, in French Guiana.
Credit: Arianespace
Israel especially thanked long-time clients of Arianespace; The company has launched more than 200 satellites using the only Ariane 5.
"Ariane 5 is renowned for its deliveries, and we are very grateful for a flawless new launch," said Ken Lee, senior vice president of space systems for the Intelsat satellite communications company, after the keynote address. # 39; Israel. He said jokingly that the launch was not going exactly as planned, but that it was no less "perfect".
Intelsat is a joint venture partner in the two spacecraft that were launched into geostationary orbit tonight. These satellites are called Horizons 3rd and Azerspace-2 / Intelsat 38.
Both spacecraft should improve communications for consumers, businesses and governments. Horizons 3e (in partnership with the Japanese group SKY Perfect JSAT) aims to improve broadband coverage in the Asia-Pacific region. In addition, Azerspace-2 / Intelsat 38 (in partnership with Azerbaijan Azercosmos) will organize direct television programs in the Asia-Pacific region, as well as in parts of Africa and Central and Eastern Europe.
Although the first Ariane 5 flight in 1996 has failed dramatically, the rocket line is quickly known for its reliability (98.1% success rate at tonight's launch) and its load capacity (ability to transport 20 tonnes in low Earth orbit). The rocket is therefore an attractive option for customers with heavy telecommunications satellites.
Ariane 5 has five operational versions; The variant launched tonight, dubbed Ariane 5 ECA, has now flown 67 times.
The Ariane 5 has notable competitors, such as the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket and the United Launch Alliance's Atlas V vehicle.
Arianespace plans to launch a rocket that will succeed Ariane 6 by 2020. One of the main objectives of the new rocket will be to significantly reduce the cost of launch services, according to the European Space Agency. According to a SpaceNews report, a typical launch of Ariane 5 cost about $ 137 million in 2014.
follow us @Spacedotcom, Facebook or Google+. Originally published on Space.com.
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