Mission success for Ariane 5

5 april 2018

Ariane 5 placed the DNS-1/Superbird-8 and HYLAS 4 telecommunications satellites in geostationary transfer orbit (GTO) from the European space port in Kourou (French Guiana).  

Launcher performance was 10,260 kg, carrying two satellites with a total weight of 9,404 kg. In addition, payload release was optimized, placing the satellites in an orbit angled 3° in relation to the equator, instead of the usual 6° for Ariane 5.

“I wish to warmly thank my teams at ArianeGroup and those at our subsidiary Arianespace for the work accomplished for this second Ariane 5 launch in 2018. I would also once again express my gratitude to the European Space Agency and to CNES for their unflagging trust and support”, said Alain Charmeau, CEO of ArianeGroup.  

As the industrial lead contractor for development and operation of the Ariane 5 and Ariane 6 launchers, ArianeGroup coordinates an industrial network of more than 600 companies in 13 European countries, including more than 350 Small and Medium Enterprises. ArianeGroup oversees all the industrial activities, from the performance improvements and studies necessary for Ariane 5 up to its production, the provision of data or software specific to each mission, without forgetting marketing activities via Arianespace. This chain includes equipment and structures, engines manufacturing, integration of the various stages and finally launcher integration in French Guiana.