Ariane 5

Overview

A European heavy-lift rocket operated by Arianespace, which launched the James Webb Space Telescope in 2021 before retiring in 2023.

Components & hardware

Knowledge connections

• Operated byArianespace
• LaunchedBepiColombo
• LaunchedJUICE (Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer)
• LaunchedRosetta
• LaunchedJames Webb Space Telescope
• ReplacedAriane 4
• Member of familyAriane
• Launched fromEnsemble de Lancement Ariane 3
• Has stageAriane 5 core stage (EPC)
• Has stageAriane 5 solid boosters (EAP)
• Powered byVulcain 2
• Powered byHM7B
• Powered byAestus
• Replaced byAriane 6
• Basis forAriane 6

Sources

Facts on this topic will be cited from these primary and reference sources.

• ArianespaceArianespace SA

  Ariane and Vega launch-vehicle families — user's manuals and mission data.

• ESAEuropean Space Agency

  European missions, observatories, and space science imagery.