Ariane flight VA261
Last launch of the Ariane 5 rocket
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Ariane flight VA261 was an Ariane 5 rocket flight that launched the Heinrich Hertz and Syracuse-4B for customers DLR and DGA into space on 5 July 2023. It was the 117th and last Ariane 5 rocket launch.[1]
| Ariane 5 ECA+ launch | |
|---|---|
| Launch | 5 July 2023, 22:00 UTC |
| Operator | Arianespace |
| Pad | Guiana Space Centre, ELA-3 |
| Payload |  Heinrich Hertz Syracuse-4B |
| Outcome | Success |
| Components | |
| Serial no. | 5119 |
| Ariane launches | |
Preparation
In May 2023, the core stage for the last Ariane 5 launch arrived at Kourou, French Guiana for LVOS and then the two SRB's and the upper cryogenic stage was integrated shortly after.[2][3] After completing all integration work the launch date was set for 15 June but due to a problem in the booster separation system, the launch was delayed.[4][5][6][7] The next launch date was announced for 4 July. On 3 July the rocket was rolled out to the pad.[8][9] However, the launch was postponed by one day due to weather.[10]
Launch
The rocket was launched from the ELA-3 launch pad of the Guiana Space Centre on 5 July 2023 at 22:00 UTC.[11] The launch was called perfect after delivering the payloads to desired orbit.[12][13][14]
After the launch there were concerns on the availability of European launch vehicles as the new Vega C rocket has suffered a launch failure on its recent VV22 launch while carrying Pléiades Neo 5 & 6 for Airbus Defence and Space, the Ariane 6 rocket was delayed for first flight, and only two Vega flights remained in the manifest.[15]
