Helios 2B

Mission

Helios 2B

Type: Government/Top Secret

Helios 2B is a French reconnaissance system jointly funded by the French and Spanish governments.

Location

Ariane Launch Area 3

Kourou, French Guiana

151 rockets have launched from Kourou, French Guiana.

Rocket

Ariane 5 GS

Length: 55 meters
Diameter: 5.4 meters
First Launch: August 11, 2005

At the time of the failure of the first Ariane 5 ECA flight in 2002, all Ariane 5 launchers in production were ECA versions. Some of the ECA cores were modified to use the original Vulcain engine and tank volumes while the failure was investigated; these vehicles were designated Ariane 5 GS. The GS used the improved EAP boosters of the ECA variant and the improved EPS of the G+ variant, but the increased mass of the modified ECA core compared to the G and G+ core resulted in slightly reduced payload capacity. Ariane 5 GS could carry a single payload of 6,600 kg (14,600 lb) or a dual payload of 5,800 kg (12,800 lb) to GTO. The Ariane 5 GS flew 6 times from 2005 to 2009 with no failures.

The Ariane 5 GS rocket has been launched a total of 6 times with 6 successful and 0 failed launches.

Agency

Arianespace

Type: Commercial
Abbreviation: ASA
Administration: CEO: Stéphane Israël
Founded: 1980
Launchers: Ariane 5 | Vega

Country: FRA

Arianespace SA is a multinational company founded in 1980 as the world’s first commercial launch service provider. It undertakes the production, operation, and marketing of the Ariane programme. Their vehicles launch exclusively from French Guiana in South America.