January 1, 2015
The Ariane series at a glance
Since 1979, no fewer than 221 Ariane launchers have lifted off from the Guiana Space Centre (CSG).
The Ariane series at a glance
| Launcher | Ariane 1 | Ariane 2 | Ariane 3 | Ariane 4 | Ariane 5 |
| Lift-off mass | 210 t | 219 t | 234 t | 243 to 480 t | 750 to 780 t |
| Lift capacity into GTO | 1,75 t | 2,20 t | 2,60 t | 2 to 4,8 t | 6,9 to 10 t |
| Thrust* | 250 t | 270 t | 270 t | 270 to 540 t | 1 200 to 1 300 t |
| Height | 47,4 m | 49 m | 49 m | 59 m | 47 to 53 m |
| Launches** | 11 | 6 | 11 | 116 | 77 |
| Successes** | 9 | 5 | 10 | 113 | 75 |
| Design lifetime | 1981 - 1986 | 1986 - 1989 | 1984 - 1989 | 1988 - 2003 | 1996 - ... |
* Thrust is measured in kilo-newtons (kN) but is commonly expressed in tonnes. To interpret the value of a force expressed in kN, divide it by ten to obtain a figure roughly corresponding to the mass (in tonnes) that the force can lift.
** Figures as of 1 January 2015
Ariane 5 variants
| Launcher | Ariane 5 G | Ariane 5 G+ | Ariane 5 GS | Ariane 5 ECA | Ariane 5 ES ATV |
| Height | Up to 52 m | Up to 52 m | Up to 47 m | Up to 52 m | Up to 53 m |
| Launch mass | 746 t | 746 t | 750 t | 780 t | 775 t |
| Payload mass for single launch | 6,9 t (GTO1) | 6,9 t (GTO1) | 6,5 t (GTO1) | 10 t (GTO1) | Up to 21 t (into 300-km low Earth orbit) |
| Satellite mass for single launch | 5,9 t (GTO1) | - | 6 t (GTO1) | 9,4 t (GTO1) | - |
| Engine | Vulcain | Vulcain | Vulcain | Vulcain 2 | Vulcain 2 |
| Upper stage | EPS2 with Aestus engine | EPS2 with Aestus engine | EPS2 with Aestus engine | ESC-A4 with HM-7B engine | EPS2 with Aestus engine |
| Other changes | - | Performance boost to EPS2 | Performance boost to EPS2 and EAP3 | Performance boost to EAP3 | Vehicle Equipment Bay (VEB) adapted for ATV |
| 1st launch | 4 June 1996 (failed) | 2 March 2004 | 11 August 2005 | 11 December 2002 (failed) | 9 March 2008 |
| Launches* | 16 | 3 | 6 | 47 | 5 |
| Launch successes* | 14 | 3 | 6 | 46 | 5 |
* Figures as of 1 January 2015
1 - Geostationary Transfer Orbit
2 - Etage à Propergols Stockables, storable propellant stage
3 - Etages d'Accélération à Poudre, solid rocket boosters
4 – Etage Supérieur Cryotechnique, cryogenic upper stage
Ariane 5 ECA
| Ariane 5 ECA key figures | |
| Total launch mass | 775 t |
| Satellite mass | 9,4 t |
| Total propellant mass | 650 t |
| Main Vulcain engine thrust at lift-off | 116 t |
| Combined thrust from 2 solid rocket boosters | 1 370 t |
| Maximum height | 52 m |
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