Helios 2BAriane 5 GS Arianespace Launch Status Success Fri · Dec 18th, 2009 11:26 AM EST Watch Online https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kadxhZUpis0 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 launches have been at this location. Rocket Ariane 5 GS Length: 55 meters Diameter: 5.4 meters First Launched: 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 Spacecraft: 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. View Rocket Launch Schedule