The end of an era: the last space journey of the Ariane 5 rocket of the European Space Agency

The Ariane 5 rocket, with Spanish participation, has achieved great milestones in the space age. It will no longer sail the skies.

At 10 p.m. on July 6, in French Guiana, the Ariane 5 space rocketof the European Space Agency, conducted its last takeoff. it closes like this an era that has lasted 30 yearsin which Ariane 5 has carried out important missions that have entered the history of space exploration.

On his last mission, number 117, Ariane 5 has put two communications satellites into orbit: the German Heinrich Hertz, and the French Syracuse 4b.

The Ariane project began in 1979, with the Ariane 1. In just 10 years, three more versions were developed until reaching the Ariane 4, which was active from 1988 to 2003.

Ariane 5, a space revolution

He Ariane 5 It was a spectacular advance, because it allowed twice as much cargo to be put into orbit. This huge rocket, which has nothing to envy to the best NASA models, started flying in 1996. It has Spanish participationboth in financing and in the supply of some components.

With a size of 52.5 meters high and weighing 780 tons, it is capable of putting into orbit two satellites at the same time, weighing up to 11,000 kilos.

Throughout his almost 30 years of lifehe Ariane 5 rocket It has successfully carried out many important missions.

Among them, the launch of the Rossetta spacecraft, which tracks comets, numerous Galileo satellites, the European alternative to GPS and, recently, the European Juice spacecraft traveling to Jupiter, and the James Webb telescope.

Goodbye Ariane 5, hello Ariane 6

The European Space Agency he wanted to have his replacement ready, the Ariane 6for this year, but some problems in the tests have delayed it to next year.

With a height of 70 meters, Ariane 6 is ESA’s most advanced space rocket.. Under construction since 2014, the Ariane 6 will make it possible to put satellites into space at a cheaper price, and with a higher payload. Here you can see its spectacular assembly:

The ultimate goal of Ariane 6is that you cantransport astronautsfor the future mission to the Moon of the European Space Agency.

After 30 years, the Ariane 5 rocket has carried out its last mission. A glorious era of European space exploration is coming to an end, and an even more important one is beginning. Spain will have a vital role, with two astronauts set to travel to the International Space Station.