• The Ariane 5 rocket delivered by Airbus Safran Launchers to Arianespace has successfully placed two satellites in orbit
  • This is the 65th consecutive success for Ariane 55

27 May 2015 - The 223rd launch of the Ariane rocket has successfully placed two satellites in their geostationary transfer orbits, following lift off from the European spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana. It was the second Ariane rocket to be delivered to Arianespace by Airbus Safran Launchers, which has been the prime contractor for the Ariane 5 programme since January 2015.

"This Ariane launch again marks the success for the Airbus Safran Launchers teams, continuing the work they have been carrying out for more than 10 years at Airbus Defence and Space and Safran. These teams are being brought together since January 2015 within Airbus Safran Launchers, the new prime contractor for Ariane 5 and future European launchers," said Alain Charmeau, CEO of Airbus Safran Launchers.

Airbus Safran Launchers has been the prime contractor for the Ariane 5 European launcher, one of the largest and most ambitious space programmes in the world. To this end, building on the expertise of the groups Airbus and Safran, the company oversees an industrial network that brings together more than 550 companies (more than 20% of which are SMEs) in 12 European countries. Airbus Safran Launchers also manages the entire industrial supply chain, from the manufacture of equipment and stages to the complete integration of the launcher in French Guiana, in line with the customer's specifications. Representing cutting-edge European expertise, the Ariane 5 launcher has been specially designed to inject heavy payloads into orbit.

Ariane flight 223 in numbers

  • 223rd Ariane launch
  • 79th Ariane 5 launch
  • 65th consecutive success for Ariane 5
  • 2nd Ariane 5 launch in 2015
  • 2nd Ariane rocket to be delivered to Arianespace that was assembled and tested under the responsibility of Airbus Safran Launchers, the prime contractor
  • 23rd Ariane 5 ordered by Arianespace in March 2009 as part of a total production batch of 35 to cover the period from 2010-2016)
  • Launch performance: 9,960 kg
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