Ariane Launch Vehicles

Europe’s heavy-lift gateway to space.

Overview

Ariane is Europe’s family of heavy-lift launch vehicles, developed under ESA leadership and operated by Arianespace. Generations from Ariane 1 to Ariane 5 and Ariane 6 have launched scientific missions, commercial satellites, and flagship observatories like the James Webb Space Telescope.

While not a single mission, Ariane is a critical infrastructure that enables ESA and global partners to reach space.

📌 Key Points

Role: Heavy-lift launch system

Notable payloads: JWST, Galileo satellites, science missions

Launch site: Guiana Space Centre, Kourou

Notable Launches

  • Ariane 5 — Launch of the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST).
  • Multiple Galileo navigation satellites for the EU.
  • Commercial telecom and Earth observation satellites.
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