Failure
Cluster
Earth Science
Arianespace(ASA)CommercialAriane 5 G
HEOorbit
A constellation of four ESA spacecraft. These were intended to fly in a tetrahedral formation, and was inteded to conduct research into the Earth's magnetosphere.
Tuesday, June 4, 1996 at 12:34 PM
Replay
Links
Status Details
Failure Reason
A software error led to integer overflow, causing the rocket to veer off its flight path 37 seconds after launch. This caused the vehicle to disintegrate under high aerodynamic forces, eventually self-destructing due to its flight termination system.
Mission details
Orbital Attempt
#4,078
ASA Mission
#86
Pad Launch
#1
Location Launch
#96
Launch Window
NET
Jun 4, 1996, 12:34 PM
Schedule Changes
1 update
Ariane 5 G Specs
The original version is dubbed Ariane 5 G (Generic) and had a launch mass of 737 tonnes. Its payload capability to geostationary transfer orbit (GTO) was 6,900 kg (15,200 lb) for a single satellite or 6,100 kg (13,400 lb) for dual launches. It flew 17 times with one failure and two partial failures.
Length
57 m
Diameter
5.4 m
Launch Mass
737 t
LEO Capacity
12,200 kg
GTO Capacity
6,900 kg
Reusable
No
Maiden Flight
1996
Fastest Turnaround
1mo 3d
Total Launches
16
Successful
13
Failed
3
Consecutive Success
6
Maiden flight: Jun 4, 1996
Arianespace
Arianespace SA is a multinational company founded in 1980 as the world's first commercial launch service provider. It undertakes the production, operation, and marketing of the Ariane programme. Their vehicles launch exclusively from French Guiana in South America.
Founded
1980
Administrator
CEO: David Cavaillolès
Total Launches
326
Successful
311
Failed
15
Pending
29
Consecutive Success
14
Guiana Space Centre, French Guiana
The Guiana Space Centre is a European spaceport to the northwest of Kourou in French Guiana, a region of France in South America. Kourou is located at a latitude of 5°. In operation since 1968, it is a suitable location for a spaceport because of its equatorial location and open sea to the east.
Timezone
America/Cayenne
Local Launch Time
Jun 4, 1996, 9:34 AM
Total Launches
333
Total Landings
0
Coordinates
5.1690, -52.6903