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Uprated "10-ton" Ariane 5 Fails

Posted by chrisd on from the boom-boom-boom dept.

Soft writes "The latest version of the European Ariane 5 booster ("ESC-A") has failed on its first launch. Liftoff was good up to booster separation but the core stage shut down one minute afterwards or so. The rocket was supposed to lift ten metric tons (22,000 lb) to geostationary transfer orbit, versus 6.7 for the previous Ariane 5G (and 5 and 5.3 for the latest Atlas 5 and Delta 4). Arianespace planned to retire its other launchers (Ariane 4, Ariane 5G) in favor of Ariane 5 ESC-A. Next launch, of space probe Rosetta, was due in mid-January."

2 of 306 comments (clear)

  1. In Soviet Russia.... by Phosphor3k · · Score: 1, Redundant

    The Rockets Blow up You!!!

  2. What a stupid name by Zork+the+Almighty · · Score: 1, Redundant

    What were they thinking ? "ESC-A" ?! Why not name the next one "Ctrl-Alt-Del" ?

    --

    In Soviet America the banks rob you!