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DUKAS_133951991_EYE
Ariane 6 lower stage at Europe's Spaceport
The the first lower stage of ESA’s next-generation Ariane 6 launch vehicle has been installed on the assembly line at Europe’s Spaceport behind the upper stage. It is now time to join the two to create the central core of Ariane 6 in readiness for the first combined tests on the launch pad.
The arrival from Europe of Ariane 6’s central core in French Guiana is a major milestone and an exciting step forward in the path to first flight as it allows combined tests to start. From arrival to hot-firing tests on the launch pad, operational procedures will mimic an Ariane 6 launch campaign.
The lower stage is from ArianeGroup’s Les Mureaux site in France. Fitted with an additional two or four solid rocket boosters it is designed to power Ariane 6 in the first phase of flight, delivering about 135 tonnes of thrust in vacuum. The core stage is powered by the liquid-fuelled Vulcain 2.1 – an upgraded engine derived from Ariane 5’s Vulcain 2.
The Ariane 6 upper stage, built in ArianeGroup’s Bremen factory in Germany, allows Ariane 6 to reach a range of orbits on a single mission to deliver more payloads.
These two stages arrived by boat in French Guiana on 17 January 2022.
The upcoming tests verify all the interfaces and functions between the Ariane 6 launch vehicle and ground facilities of the new Ariane 6 launch complex at the spaceport. Reaching this phase of activities is the result of intense preparation by ESA and its partners in Europe and at Europe’s Spaceport.
Credit: P BAUDON/ESA/CNES/Arianespace / eyevine
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DUKAS_133690015_EYE
Ariane 6 upper stage at Europe's Spaceport
The central core of ESA’s new generation Ariane 6 launch vehicle arrived by boat in French Guiana from Europe on 18 January 2022. This enables combined tests at Europe’s Spaceport where Ariane 6 parts will come together on the launch pad for the first time.
Ariane 6’s central core comprises a lower stage and upper stage. The lower stage is from ArianeGroup’s Les Mureaux site in France; the upper stage is from ArianeGroup’s Bremen factory in Germany.
Upon arrival by boat at Pariacabo harbour, two containers were transported by road to the new Ariane 6 launch vehicle assembly building – part of the Ariane 6 launch complex at Europe’s Spaceport. Here, the rocket stages were unpacked and installed on the assembly line machinery for integration, to form the Ariane 6 central core. After this, they will be used in ‘combined’ tests which will verify all the interfaces and functions between the Ariane 6 launch vehicle and ground facilities at the spaceport.
From arrival to hot-firing tests on the launch pad, operational procedures will follow as closely as possible those for any Ariane 6 launch campaign.
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DUKAS_133029413_EYE
Webb liftoff on Ariane 5
Webb liftoff on Ariane 5.
The James Webb Space Telescope lifted off on an Ariane 5 rocket from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana, at 13:20 CET on 25 December on its exciting mission to unlock the secrets of the Universe.
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Webb on Ariane 5 poised for launch
Webb on Ariane 5 poised for launch. The James Webb Space Telescope is safely stowed inside the fairing of ESAÕs Ariane 5 launch vehicle, which is now on the launch pad undergoing final checks and fuelling for a targeted liftoff at 12:20 GMT / 13:20 CET on 25 December from Europe's Spaceport in French Guiana.
Webb will be the largest, most powerful telescope ever launched into space. As part of an international collaboration agreement, ESA is providing the telescopeÕs launch service using the Ariane 5 launch vehicle. Working with partners, ESA was responsible for the development and qualification of Ariane 5 adaptations for the Webb mission and for the procurement of the launch service by Arianespace.
Webb is an international partnership between NASA, ESA and the Canadian Space Agency (CSA).
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Webb moved to meet Ariane 5
The James Webb Space Telescope was transferred to the final assembly building at Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana on 7 December 2021, to meet its Ariane 5 launch vehicle.
Stowed inside a special 23-tonne transport container, Webb was protected and monitored throughout the transfer.
Ariane 5 was already moved to the same building on 29 November. Here, adjustable platforms allow engineers to access the launch vehicle and its payload.
The next steps are to hoist Webb to the upper platform which has been prepared so that Webb can be integrated on Ariane 5’s upper stage and then encapsulated inside Ariane 5’s specially adapted fairing.
Webb is scheduled for launch on 22 December from Europe’s Spaceport. Ground teams have already successfully completed the delicate operation of loading the spacecraft with the propellant it will use to steer itself while in space.
Webb will be the largest, most powerful telescope ever launched into space. As part of an international collaboration agreement, ESA is providing the telescope’s launch service using the Ariane 5 launch vehicle. Working with partners, ESA was responsible for the development and qualification of Ariane 5 adaptations for the Webb mission and for the procurement of the launch service by Arianespace.
Credit: P PIRON / ESA / CNES / Arianespace / eyevine
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DUKAS_132580509_EYE
Galileo satellites 27-28 liftoff
Galileo satellites 27 – 28 lifted off by Soyuz launcher VS26 from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana at 01:19 CET on 5 December (4 December at 21:19 local Kourou time).
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Ariane 5 moved to meet Webb
The Ariane 5 launch vehicle which will launch the James Webb Space Telescope was moved to the final assembly building at Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana on 29 November 2021.
Ariane 5 parts shipped from Europe to French Guiana, have been coming together inside the launch vehicle integration building (pictured).
The lower part of the Ariane 5 comprises the cryogenic main core stage (with the Vulcain main engine, oxygen and hydrogen tanks), two solid rocket boosters and the upper composite, including the cryogenic upper stage (with the HM7B engine, oxygen and hydrogen tanks), the vehicle equipment bay – the brain of the launcher, and all supporting structures that will interface with Webb on its adaptor.
A launch table is used to transport the Ariane 5 vehicle between the launch vehicle integration building, the final assembly building and the launch pad.
Webb, now fuelled, will soon be integrated on Ariane 5’s upper stage and then encapsulated inside Ariane 5’s specially adapted fairing.
Webb will be the largest, most powerful telescope ever launched into space. As part of an international collaboration agreement, ESA is providing the telescope’s launch service using the Ariane 5 launch vehicle. Working with partners, ESA was responsible for the development and qualification of Ariane 5 adaptations for the Webb mission and for the procurement of the launch service by Arianespace.
Credit: P BAUDON/ESA/CNES/Arianespace / eyevine
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DUKAS_132580512_EYE
Webb fuelled for launch
The James Webb Space Telescope was fuelled inside the payload preparation facility at Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana ahead of its launch on Ariane 5.
Webb’s thrusters will use this propellant to make critical course-corrections after separation from Ariane 5, to maintain its prescribed orbit about one and a half million kilometres from Earth, and to repoint the observatory and manage its momentum during operations.
Fuelling any satellite is a particularly delicate operation requiring setup of the equipment and connections, fuelling, and then pressurisation.
Webb’s propellant tanks were filled separately with 133 kg of dinitrogen tetroxide oxidiser and 168 kg hydrazine. Oxidiser improves the burn efficiency of the hydrazine fuel.
These propellants are extremely toxic so only a few specialists wearing Self-Contained Atmospheric Protective Ensemble, or ‘scape’ suits, remained in the dedicated fuelling hall for fuelling which took 10 days and ended on 3 December.
The next steps will start soon for ‘combined operations’. This is when specialists working separately to prepare Webb and Ariane 5 will come together as one team. They will place Webb atop its Ariane 5 launch vehicle and encapsulate it inside Ariane 5’s fairing.
Then, no longer visible, Webb, joined with its Ariane 5 launch vehicle will be transferred to the Final Assembly building for the final preparations before launch.
Webb will be the largest, most powerful telescope ever launched into space. As part of an international collaboration agreement, ESA is providing the telescope’s launch service using the Ariane 5 launch vehicle. Working with partners, ESA was responsible for the development and qualification of Ariane 5 adaptations for the Webb mission and for the procurement of the launch service by Arianespace.
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Webb stickers for Ariane 5 fairing
At Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana, the finishing touches to the Ariane 5 fairing for the James Webb Space Telescope include the application of NASA, ESA and Canadian Space Agency logos and Webb insignia.
Webb will soon be encapsulated inside this 17 m-high 5.4 m-diameter fairing which will provide protection from the thermal, acoustic and aerodynamic stresses during the ascent to space.
Ariane 5’s fairing has been customised to accommodate the specific requirements of the Webb mission. New hardware ensures that venting ports around the base of the fairing remain fully open. This will minimise the shock of depressurisation when the fairing jettisons away from the launch vehicle.
Webb will be the largest, most powerful telescope ever launched into space. Its sunshield – a five-layer, diamond-shaped structure the size of a tennis court – was specially engineered to fold up and fit within the confines of Ariane 5’s fairing. Fully deployed, the telescope’s sunshield measures 21 m by 14 m. Stowed inside Ariane’s fairing, Webb will measure 10.66 m high and 4.5 m wide.
As part of an international collaboration agreement, ESA is providing the telescope’s launch service using the Ariane 5 launch vehicle. Working with partners, ESA was responsible for the development and qualification of Ariane 5 adaptations for the Webb mission and for the procurement of the launch service by Arianespace.
Webb is an international partnership between NASA, ESA and the Canadian Space Agency (CSA).
Credit: P PIRON/ESA/CNES/Arianespace / eyevine
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DUKAS_132132331_EYE
Webb’s Ariane 5 gains upper stage
The upper stage of Ariane 5 which will transport the James Webb Space Telescope in space, is now integrated with the Ariane 5 core stage inside the launch vehicle integration building at EuropeÕs Spaceport in French Guiana.
The upper stage arrived at the launch vehicle integration building on 11 November 2021 where it joined the Ariane 5 core stage and boosters. It was then hoisted high to awaiting engineers so that it could be integrated on top of the core stage.
The Ariane 5 upper stage is powered by the HM7B engine. It will contain 14.7 t of liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen propellant to deliver 6.6 t of thrust for 1000 seconds. After core stage separation, the upper stage will provide attitude control during the ascent and separation of Webb on its path to the Lagrange point.
The Vehicle Equipment Bay, Ôthe brainÕ of Ariane 5, which is integrated with the upper stage, autonomously controls the whole vehicle and transmits all key flight parameters to the ground station network.
Webb will be the largest, most powerful telescope ever launched into space. As part of an international collaboration agreement, ESA is providing the telescopeÕs launch service using the Ariane 5 launch vehicle. Working with partners, ESA was responsible for the development and qualification of Ariane 5 adaptations for the Webb mission and for the procurement of the launch service by Arianespace.
Webb is an international partnership between NASA, ESA and the Canadian Space Agency (CSA).
These activities mark the beginning of a five-week campaign to prepare the Ariane 5 launch vehicle which runs in parallel with teams preparing Webb, which started three weeks earlier. Soon Webb will meet Ariane 5 and teams will unite for the final integration for launch.
Credit: ESA/CNES/Arianespace / ESA / eyevine
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Ariane 5 booster transfer
Ariane 5 parts are coming together in the launch vehicle integration building for the launch of the James Webb Space Telescope from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana.
The Ariane 5 core stage is 5.4 m diameter and 30.5 m high. On 6 November it was taken out of its shipping container and raised vertical.
At launch it will contain 175 t of liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen propellants. With its Vulcain 2 engine it provides 140 t of thrust. It also provides roll control during the main propulsion phase. This rolling manoeuvre will ensure that all parts of the payload are equally exposed to the sun which will avoid overheating of any elements of Webb.
Two boosters followed. They are 3 m in diameter and 31 m high. This week they will be positioned on the launch table and then anchored to the core stage. Engineers will then carry out mechanical and electrical checks. Each booster contains 240 t of solid propellant, together they will provide 1200 t of thrust which is 90 percent of the thrust at liftoff.
On the countdown to launch, the Vulcain 2 engine is ignited first. A few seconds later, when it reaches its nominal operating level, the two boosters are fired to achieve a thrust of about 1364 t at liftoff.
Webb will be the largest, most powerful telescope ever launched into space. As part of an international collaboration agreement, ESA is providing the telescope’s launch service using the Ariane 5 launch vehicle. Working with partners, ESA was responsible for the development and qualification of Ariane 5 adaptations for the Webb mission and for the procurement of the launch service by Arianespace.
Webb is an international partnership between NASA, ESA and the Canadian Space Agency (CSA).
These activities mark the beginning of a five-week campaign to prepare the Ariane 5 launch vehicle which runs in parallel with teams preparing Webb, which started three weeks earlier. Soon Webb will meet Ariane 5 and teams will unite for the final integration for l
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DUKAS_131619967_EYE
Webb’s Ariane 5 core stage made ready
Ariane 5 parts are coming together in the launch vehicle integration building for the launch of Webb from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana.
The Ariane 5 core stage is 5.4 m diameter and 30.5 m high. On 6 November it was taken out of its shipping container and raised vertical.
At launch it will contain 175 t of liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen propellants. With its Vulcain 2 engine it provides 140 t of thrust. It also provides roll control during the main propulsion phase. This rolling manoeuvre will ensure that all parts of the payload are equally exposed to the sun which will avoid overheating of any elements of Webb.
Two boosters followed. They are 3 m in diameter and 31 m high. This week they will be positioned on the launch table and then anchored to the core stage. Engineers will then carry out mechanical and electrical checks. Each booster contains 240 t of solid propellant, together they will provide 1200 t of thrust which is 90 percent of the thrust at liftoff.
On the countdown to launch, the Vulcain 2 engine is ignited first. A few seconds later, when it reaches its nominal operating level, the two boosters are fired to achieve a thrust of about 1364 t at liftoff.
Webb will be the largest, most powerful telescope ever launched into space. As part of an international collaboration agreement, ESA is providing the telescope’s launch service using the Ariane 5 launch vehicle. Working with partners, ESA was responsible for the development and qualification of Ariane 5 adaptations for the Webb mission and for the procurement of the launch service by Arianespace.
Webb is an international partnership between NASA, ESA and the Canadian Space Agency (CSA).
These activities mark the beginning of a five-week campaign to prepare the Ariane 5 launch vehicle which runs in parallel with teams preparing Webb, which started three weeks earlier. Soon Webb will meet Ariane 5 and teams will unite for the final integration for launch.
Credit: P BAUDON
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Ariane 5 liftoff
On 23 October 2021, Ariane 5 flight VA255 lifted off from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana to deliver two telecom satellites, SES-17 and Syracuse-4A to their planned orbits.
With a launch performance of 11.2 t, and a combined payload mass of about 10 263 kg, this is Ariane 5’s heaviest payload to geostationary transfer orbit so far.
Flight VA255 was the 111th Ariane 5 mission.
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Ariane 5 liftoff
On 23 October 2021, Ariane 5 flight VA255 lifted off from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana to deliver two telecom satellites, SES-17 and Syracuse-4A to their planned orbits.
With a launch performance of 11.2 t, and a combined payload mass of about 10 263 kg, this is Ariane 5’s heaviest payload to geostationary transfer orbit so far.
Flight VA255 was the 111th Ariane 5 mission.
Credit: S MARTIN / ESA / CNES / ARIANESPACE / ESA / eyevine
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Ariane 5 transfer
Ariane 5 was transferred from the final assembly building to the launch pad in preparation for launch on flight VA255 from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana.
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Ariane 5 transfer
Ariane 5 was transferred from the final assembly building to the launch pad in preparation for launch on flight VA255 from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana.
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Ariane 5 on the launch pad
Ariane 5 on the launch pad with two telecom satellites, SES-17 and Syracuse-4A, stowed in the fairing in preparation for flight VA255 from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana on 23 October 2021.
Credit: JM GUILLON / ESA / CNES / ARIANESPACE / ESA / eyevine
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Webb telescope in clean room at Europe's Spaceport in
The James Webb Space Telescope is unpacked inside a dedicated spacecraft preparation facility at Europe's Spaceport where it will be examined to ensure that it is undamaged from its voyage and in good working order.
Here, the telescope is set upright in vertical position.
Read more about Webb’s arrival in French GuianaCredit: ESA / eyevine
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Webb arrives in French Guiana for launch on Ariane 5
The James Webb Space Telescope arrived safely at Pariacabo harbour in French Guiana on 12 October 2021 ahead of its launch on an Ariane 5 rocket from Europe's Spaceport.
Few space science missions have been as eagerly anticipated as the James Webb Space Telescope (Webb). As the next great space science observatory following Hubble, Webb is designed to resolve unanswered questions about the Universe and see farther into our origins: from the formation of stars and planets to the birth of the first galaxies in the early Universe. Webb will be the largest, most powerful telescope ever launched into space.
Webb arrived from California on board the MN Colibri which sailed the Panama Canal to French Guiana on a 16-day voyage. The shallow Kourou river was specially dredged to ensure a clear passage and the vessel followed high tide to safely reach port.
Though the telescope weighs only six tonnes, it is more than 10.5 m high and almost 4.5 m wide when folded. It was shipped in its folded position in a 30 m long container which, with auxiliary equipment, weighs more than 70 tonnes. This is such an exceptional mission that a heavy-load tractor unit was brought on board MN Colibri to carefully transport Webb to the Spaceport.
Webb was taken to a dedicated spacecraft preparation facility. Here it will be unpacked and examined to ensure that it is undamaged from its voyage and in good working order.
As part of an international collaboration agreement, ESA is providing the telescope’s launch service using the Ariane 5 launch vehicle. Working with partners, ESA was responsible for the development and qualification of Ariane 5 adaptations for the Webb mission and for the procurement of the launch service by Arianespace.
Credit: ESA / eyevine
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Ariane 6 mast gains cryogenic arms
Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana is preparing for the arrival of Ariane 6, ESA’s new heavy-lift rocket. This involves the final preparations of the new Ariane 6 launch complex and all the systems necessary for a launch.
On the launch pad, two ‘cryo-arms’ made and tested in France have been attached to the upper end of the mast. They are part of the fluidic connection system which connects to the Ariane 6 upper stage.
These ‘cryo arms’ support the upper umbilicals which supply the Ariane 6 upper stage with cryogenic top-up fuel, maintain the correct pressurisation of the upper stage tanks, cool the engines before ignition and generally keep the upper stage in an optimal condition right up to the point of liftoff. The same umbilicals allow the fuel to be drained safely if a launch is aborted.
Each arm is 13 m long and weighs 20 tonnes. One arm supplies liquid hydrogen at -250ºC, the other supplies liquid oxygen at -180ºC. When Ariane 6 lifts off, these arms will disconnect from the rocket and then pivot away quickly in just 2.6 seconds to avoid interfering with the rocket's ascent.
This manoeuvre requires great precision in order, almost simultaneously, to disconnect the arms, protect the supply hoses from gas ejections from the boosters and allow the launch vehicle to pass while avoiding any contact with it. A 50-tonne counterweight inside the mast – as heavy as a humpback whale – speeds up the retraction of the arms. A smart damping system allows the arms to brake before the end of their swing backwards in order to preserve the mechanical links with the mast.
Keeping the fluidic supplies connected with the rocket until the moment of liftoff guarantees the best availability and simplification of the interface with the launch vehicle.
The disconnect time for Ariane 6 is much faster than for Ariane 5, which is six seconds before liftoff. This means that the sequence for Ariane 6 can be triggered at the latest possible moment in the countdown
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Vega soars to space
On 16 August 2021, Vega lifted off from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana on flight VV19 to deliver into two separate Sun-synchronous orbits the Earth observation satellite Pléiades Neo-4 and four auxiliary payloads: SunStorm, RadCube and LEDSAT developed through ESA, and BRO-4.
Credit: ESA / eyevine
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Ariane 5 transfer
Ariane 5 transfer.
Ariane 5 transfer on 29 July 2021 from the final assembly building to the launch pad in preparation for flight VA254 with Star One D2 and Eutelsat Quantum at EuropeÕs Spaceport in French Guiana. Credit: ESA / eyevine
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Quantum satellite
A sophisticated telecommunications satellite capable of being completely repurposed in orbit has been fuelled ready for its launch on 30 July.
Developed under an ESA Partnership Project called Quantum, the satellite is pioneering a new generation of fully reconfigurable satellites that can respond while in orbit to changing demands on Earth during their 15-year lifetimes.
It is the first reprogrammable commercial telecommunications satellite to operate in a high-frequency radio range called the Ku band that is used for data transmission and secure communications, notably with ships at sea.
Its beams can be redirected to move in almost real time to provide information to passengers on board moving planes or ships. The beams can also be adjusted at the push of a button, so that more data is delivered when demand surges.
The successful development and manufacture of the satellite resulted from the contribution of all industrial partners under an ESA Partnership Project with satellite operator Eutelsat. It is a UK flagship project with most of the satellite developed and manufactured by UK industry. Airbus is the prime and was responsible for manufacturing the satellite’s payload and Surry Satellite Technology Ltd manufactured the new platform.Credit: ESA / eyevine
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First Ariane 6 fairing at Europeís Spaceport
First Ariane 6 fairing at Europe’s Spaceport.
Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana is carrying out combined tests to prepare for the arrival of Ariane 6, Europe’s next generation heavy-lift launch vehicle.
The first Ariane 6 fairing has already arrived at the Spaceport from Europe. It is 20 m high and 5.4 m in diameter and is being integrated with a mockup payload to test equipment and procedures inside the assembly building.
Ruag Space in Emmen, Switzerland manufactures each entire large half-shell in one piece from carbon-fibre composite which is ‘cured’ in an industrial oven. This reduces cost and speeds up production. Fewer parts allow horizontal as well as vertical assembly of the closed fairing and the launch vehicle, which is particularly important for Ariane 6.
A blue metal frame, the ‘strongback’, encases the fairing. There is one for each half-shell to hold each steady and to maintain the shape of the fairing while it is being raised vertical, and during assembly.
The mockup payload stands on its payload adaptor – the black cone. This is the interface between the bottom of the payload and the rocket. The adapter cone is fixed to a permanent dock on the ground.
Before this combined test, the French space agency, CNES, updated the existing Ariane 5 assembly building with a new integration dock, composed of a large white frame, with two mobile platforms adjustable to any level and accessible by fixed stairs and platforms.
This assembly building has two halls: one for integration of the fairing on the Ariane 5 rocket, and an encapsulation hall where the payload is stowed in the fairing. This encapsulation area is a spacious clean room for Ariane 6.
A new door 26 m high has been installed at the entrance of the building to make room for the integrated fairing, payload and adapter to move on its trailer to the Ariane 6 launch zone.
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Vega liftoff on flight VV18
Vega liftoff on flight VV18.
On 28 April 2021, Vega lifted off from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana on flight VV18 to deliver into two separate orbits the Earth observation satellite Pléiades Neo-3 and five auxiliary payloads.Credit: ESA / eyevine
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Ariane 6 pre-flight 'plumbing' tests
Ariane 6 pre-flight 'plumbing' tests.
Europe's Spaceport in French Guiana is preparing Ariane 6's launch pad for extensive ‘combined tests’. These tests will prove the systems that will support Europe's newest launch vehicle before flight.
On the launch pad, engineers are installing the steel mini-mast structures that will protect the liquid oxygen cryogenic connection systems that feed the lower umbilicals connected to Ariane 6's core stage. The mini-mast seen here is some 9.6 m high and will weight 110 tons when full equipped.
Over the last few months, Latesys under CNES responsibility and with the support of ArianeGroup, have performed tests in France to validate the disconnection and retraction functions of the launch pad mechanical systems and the mounts between launch base and rocket, and verified mechanical loads. These components will soon arrive at the Spaceport for integration on the launch pad.
Engineers will then validate the interfaces and mechanical behaviour of the umbilicals which will be connected to fluidic supplies during upcoming tests.Credit: ESA / eyevine
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Vega lifts off
Vega lifts off.
On 2 September 2020, Vega flight VV16 lifted off from Europe's Spaceport in French Guiana to progressively deliver 53 light satellites into Sun-synchronous orbits at 515 km and 530 km altitude on a mission lasting 124 minutes.
This proof-of-concept flight demonstrates and validates a new rideshare launch service for light satellites using the Small Spacecraft Mission Service (SSMS) dispenser developed by ESA. The SSMS is light and has a modular design that can be configured to meet the requirements of the mission, securing anything from the smallest 1 kg CubeSats up to 500 kg minisatellites.
There were 21 customers sharing this launch.
ESA has contributed to the development of four payloads on board – the 113 kg ESAIL microsatellite and three CubeSats: Simba, Picasso and FSSCat which carries pioneering AI technology named ?-sat-1.Credit: ESA / eyevine
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Ariane 5 liftoff
Ariane 5 liftoff.
VA253 lifted off from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana and delivered two telecom satellites Galaxy-30 and BSAT-4B, and the Mission Extension Vehicle (MEV-2), into their planned transfer orbits.
Also on this flight, there were four notable technical modifications to Ariane 5: an onboard autonomous tracking kit called Kassav, vented nose cone from RUAG in Switzerland and new materials for a lighter upper stage and vehicle equipment bay (VEB) – the ‘brain’ of the launch vehicle.
These modifications will continue to be used on all Ariane 5 flights and also incorporated in the upcoming Ariane 6.
Flight VA253 was the 109th Ariane 5 mission.
Credit: ESA / eyevine
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Cheops team in Kourou
The Cheops satellite with representatives from ESA, Airbus and CNES at Europe's spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana, during launch preparation activities.
Credit: ESO / eyevine
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Ariane 5 liftoff
Ariane 5 liftoff. On 16 January 2020, Ariane 5 flight VA251 lifted off from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana and delivered two telecom satellites, Konnect and GSAT-30, into their planned orbits.
Credit: ESA / eyevine
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Ariane 5 liftoff
Ariane 5 liftoff. On 16 January 2020, Ariane 5 flight VA251 lifted off from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana and delivered two telecom satellites, Konnect and GSAT-30, into their planned orbits.
Credit: ESA / eyevine
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Cheops on the move
Cheops on the move. The Cheops satellite during transfer from building S5C to the payload facility of S5A through the internal corridor, as part of launch preparations at Europe's spaceport in Kourou, French Guyana. The satellite is being moved on its multi-purpose trolley under the supervision of Airbus staff and with the support of the spaceport team. During all phases, a dedicated plastic bag protects the satellite and its payload are protected from contamination.Credit: ESA / eyevine
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EDRS-C is launched
EDRS-C is launched. Ariane 5 VA249 put the second EDRS satellite in orbit at 21.30 on 6 August.
Credit: ESA / eyevine
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EDRS-C mated with launcher
The second satellite to join the constellation that forms the European Data Relay System (EDRS) has been mated with its launch vehicle.
The EDRS-C satellite is due for launch on 6 August from Europe’s Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana, aboard an Ariane 5 rocket.
EDRS enables people to observe the Earth almost live, accelerating responses to emergency situations and spurring the development of new services and products that create jobs and increase prosperity.
Credit: ESA / eyevine
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Ariane 6 mobile gantry first rollout
On 24 July 2019 at EuropeÕs Spaceport in French Guiana, the Ariane 6 mobile gantry, a 90 metre-high metallic structure built to house Ariane 6 underwent a 97 m first rollout test to mimic prelaunch.
When fully equipped, this mobile gantry will weigh 8200 tonnes Ð more than a thousand tonnes heavier than France's Eiffel Tower. Its platforms provide access to the launch vehicle for integration on the launch pad. It protects Ariane 6 until its doors are opened and it is retracted about five hours before the launch.
The mobile gantry stands on 16 bogies, each bogie comprises eight wheels and each wheel is equipped with one electric motor. A total of 128 electric motors synchronise to set the wheels in motion along rails.
Credit: ESA / eyevine
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FEATURE - Pix of the Day: Bilder des Tages
Ariane 5 V243 100th launch. Ariane 5 V243 ascends from the European Spaceport’s ELA-3 launch zone on its 100th flight, carrying a dual payload of the Horizons 3e and Azerspace-2/Intelsat 38 telecommunications satellites, 25 September 2018Credit: ESA / eyevine
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(FOTO: DUKAS/EYEVINE) *** Local Caption *** 02227650
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Ariane 6 central core reaches Europe's Spaceport
The lower and upper stage of ESA’s new generation Ariane 6 launch vehicle arrived in French Guiana from Europe on 17 January 2022. Packed in separate containers they were transported to the new Ariane 6 launch vehicle assembly building at Europe’s Spaceport. This enables combined tests at Europe’s Spaceport where Ariane 6 parts will come together on the launch pad for the first time.
Credit: JM GUILLON/ESA/CNES/Arianespace / eyevine
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NEWS - Präsident Macron besucht Französiche Guyana
The President with Alicia Aylies, Miss France 2017 after the speech for the launch of the "assise de l'outre-mer" in the prefecture of Cayenne//SIPA_MACRON010645/Credit:Pierre-Olivier Jay/SIPA/1710291131 (FOTO: DUKAS/SIPA) *** Local Caption *** 00829658
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NEWS - Präsident Macron besucht Französiche Guyana
Signature of a convention with Annick Girardin and Rodolphe Alexandre, between the Minister of Outre-mer and the collectivity of Guiana after the speech of the President for the launch of the "assise de l'outre-mer" in the prefecture of Cayenne//SIPA_MACRON010656/Credit:Pierre-Olivier Jay/SIPA/1710291131 (FOTO: DUKAS/SIPA) *** Local Caption *** 00829658
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Ariane 6 at Europe’s Spaceport
Combined tests start for Ariane 6 at EuropeÕs Spaceport.
EuropeÕs Spaceport in French Guiana is performing the first combined test in preparation for the inaugural flight of Ariane 6, EuropeÕs new generation launch vehicle.
This test confirms the operations and electrical and mechanical equipment required for integration of the upper part of the launch vehicle. The procedures are carried out in conditions representative of a launch campaign. A major step of this test involves the closure of the Ariane 6 fairing around the payload.
Preparations started in May 2021 with a de-risking campaign of the mechanical operations.
The fairing, built by Ruag Space in Switzerland, stands 20 m high and 5.4 m in diameter. It protects payloads from the thermal, acoustic and aerodynamic stresses on the ascent to space.
This combined test was performed using a new integration dock, composed of a large white frame, with two mobile platforms adjustable to any level and accessible by fixed stairs and platforms, developed by the French space agency, CNES.
The assembly building has two halls: one for integration of the fairing and another where the payload is stowed in the fairing. This encapsulation area is a spacious clean room for Ariane 6.
These activities are part of extensive Ôcombined testsÕ at the Spaceport by ESA, CNES, ArianeGroup and other industry partners. They will prove the systems and procedures to prepare Europe's new Ariane 6 launch vehicle for flight.
ESA oversees the implementation and management of verification and qualification activities up to and including the first flight of Ariane 6 before handing over to the exploitation authority.
Ariane 6 is designed to extend guaranteed access to space for Europe and will be capable of carrying out all types of missions to all orbits. It features a modular design with two versions: Ariane 62, fitted with twoCredit: ESA / eyevine
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SAINT GEORGES DE L'OYAPOCK: Sarkozy meets Lula
Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and Nicolas Sarkozy. France's President Nicolas Sarkozy meets Brasil President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva in French Guyana. Saint Georges de l'Opayock,FRENCH GUYANA-12/02/2008.
REF: 555966.005
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FRENCH GUIANA: Sarkozy meets Lula
France's President Nicolas Sarkozy, left, and Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, wave to photographers upon their arrival to St. Georges of L'Oyapock, at the border of French Guiana and Brazil, Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2008.
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FRENCH GUIANA: Nicolas Sarkozy, Arianespace center
French President Nicolas Sarkozy arrives at Arianespace center, in Kourou, French Guiana. Sarkozy is on a two-day visit to French Guiana. Kourou, FRENCH GUIANA-11/02/2008.
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FRENCH GUIANA: Nicolas Sarkozy, Arianespace center
French President Nicolas Sarkozy overflies Arianespace center, in Kourou, French Guiana. Sarkozy is on a two-day visit to French Guiana. Kourou, FRENCH GUIANA-11/02/2008.
REF: 555886.002
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CAMOPI: Nicolas Sarkozy visits French Guyana CAMOPI: Nicolas Sarkozy visits
France's president Nicolas Sarkozy visits Camopi in the French Guyana on February 11, 2008.
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CAMOPI: Nicolas Sarkozy visits French Guyana CAMOPI: Nicolas Sarkozy visits
France's president Nicolas Sarkozy visits Camopi in the French Guyana on February 11, 2008.
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Vega VV20
Launch of Vega VV20 on 16 November 2021, from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana, carrying three CERES Earth observation satellites.
Credit: P PIRON/ESA/CNES/Arianespace / ESA / eyevine
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KOUROU : Arianspace launched
Arianespace launched with Ariane 5 from Kourou a spatial telecommunication s atellite Syracuse 3A for French Defense Ministary and a telecommunication sa tellite Galaxy 15 for this american operator PanAmSat. Kourou (Guyana)-FRANC E-13/10/2005
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KOUROU : Arianspace launched
Arianespace launched with Ariane 5 from Kourou a spatial telecommunication s atellite Syracuse 3A for French Defense Ministary and a telecommunication sa tellite Galaxy 15 for this american operator PanAmSat. Kourou (Guyana)-FRANC E-13/10/2005
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