Key facts
By the
numbers.
| Operator | Arianespace for ESA |
|---|---|
| Height | 46–52 m |
| Diameter | 5.4 m |
| Mass | 777 t |
| Core stage | 1 Vulcain 2 |
| Boosters | 2 solid P241 boosters |
| Payload to GTO | 10.9 t |
| Flights | 1996–2023 |
The Real Rocket
Ariane 5: history, specs and famous launches
Ariane 5 was Europe’s heavy launcher from 1996 to 2023, operated by Arianespace from Kourou in French Guiana. It flew 117 times with 112 successes, including a streak of 82 successful launches in a row. Its most famous launch put the James Webb Space Telescope on its way on 25 December 2021.
Facts checked October 2026 · sources below
By the
Famous launches
Moments that
made history.
- Flight 501
Maiden flight, destroyed shortly after liftoff by a software error in the guidance system.
- Rosetta
ESA’s comet chaser, which later landed Philae on comet 67P.
- ATV Jules Verne
Europe’s first cargo ship to the International Space Station.
- Herschel & Planck
Two of ESA’s great space observatories on one rocket.
- James Webb Space Telescope
A launch so precise it left Webb with propellant for well beyond its planned mission.
- JUICE
ESA’s Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer.
- Final flight
The 117th and last Ariane 5.
Records & firsts
Worth
knowing.
- 82 successful launches in a row (April 2003 – December 2017).
- 117 flights, 112 of them successful.
FAQ
Quick
answers.
How tall was Ariane 5?
Between 46 and 52 metres depending on version and fairing, with a 5.4 metre core.
Which rocket launched the James Webb Space Telescope?
Ariane 5, from Kourou on 25 December 2021.
When did Ariane 5 last fly?
On 5 July 2023. Its successor is Ariane 6.
Why did the first Ariane 5 fail?
A software error in the guidance system made the rocket veer off course 37 seconds after liftoff.
Sources
Checked
against.
The past
More we’ve built.
Custom models & B2B