Ariane 5

Overview

A European heavy-lift rocket operated by Arianespace, which launched the James Webb Space Telescope in 2021 before retiring in 2023.

Knowledge connections

• Operated byArianespace
• LaunchedBepiColombo
• LaunchedJUICE (Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer)
• LaunchedRosetta
• LaunchedJames Webb Space Telescope
• ReplacedAriane 4
• Member of familyAriane
• Launched fromEnsemble de Lancement Ariane 3
• Has stageAriane 5 core stage (EPC)
• Has stageAriane 5 solid boosters (EAP)
• Powered byVulcain 2
• Powered byHM7B
• Powered byAestus
• Replaced byAriane 6
• Basis forAriane 6

Sources

The primary and reference sources this topic draws on.

• NASANational Aeronautics and Space Administration

  Mission data, planetary science, space telescopes, and public-domain imagery.

  Most NASA-produced imagery is in the public domain; individual items are checked for usage terms before publication.