From the Guiana Space Center, the iconic rocket of the European Space Agency (ESA) will launch the Syracuse 4B and Heinrich Hertz telecommunications satellites on July 5, 2023. This launch will mark the end of 26 years of “career” of this rocket with more than 110 successful launches.

Back in the 90s, Latecoere was entrusted with the design and manufacturing of the launcher’s cryogenic arms – still operational today! These support the hoses for the liquid oxygen and hydrogen tanks that fuel the rocket’s Vulcain engine. The fueling process takes place at very low temperatures and ends just before lift-off (T minus 7 seconds) to maximize the rocket’s range. The retraction sequence for the two arms is an integral part of the final countdown. One last embrace before lift-off…

The Ariane 5 is one of the most reliable launchers on the market. It is also adaptable, a quality that has made it popular with institutional and commercial clients alike. Ariane 5 shines when transporting heavy payloads in low orbit, multiple satellites in medium orbit, or one or two satellites in geostationary transfer orbit.

Congratulations to the ESA, Arianespace, Ariane Group and to all teams involved along the years in Ariane 5’s incredible space journey!