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Ariane 5 launch timeline
SPACEFLIGHT NOW
Posted: March 17, 2014

H0 Main Engine Ignition
The Ariane 5 rocket's first stage Vulcain 2 main engine ignites and undergoes a thorough health check on the launch pad.
H0+00:07.3 Launch
Producing about 2.6 million pounds of thrust, the Ariane 5 rocket's two solid rocket boosters ignite to lift the launcher into the sky.
H0+00:12.6 Start Pitch Maneuver
The Ariane 5 rocket begins to pitch over after rising vertically from the ELA-3 launch pad.
H0+00:17.1 Start Roll Maneuver
The Ariane 5 rocket starts its roll maneuver to head east away from the Guiana Space Center.
H0+02:24 Booster Separation
The solid rocket boosters exhaust their propellant and are jettisoned from the Ariane 5's first stage.
H0+03:23 Jettison Payload Fairing
The two halves of the Ariane 5's 5.4-meter, or 17.7-foot, diameter payload fairing are jettisoned once the rocket leaves the thick lower atmosphere.
H0+08:47 Main Stage Shutdown
The cryogenic first stage's Vulcain 2 main engine shuts down.
H0+08:53 Stage Separation
Explosive bolts fire to separate the Ariane 5's first and second stages.
H0+08:57 Upper Stage Ignition
The upper stage's HM7B engine, burning liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen, ignites to propel the ASTRA 5B and Amazonas 4A satellites to orbit.
H0+24:59 Upper Stage Shutdown 1
The upper stage's HM7B engine shuts down after reaching an orbit with a low point of 155 miles, a high point of 22,205 miles and an inclination of 3 degrees.
H0+27:03 ASTRA 5B Separation
The Ariane 5 rocket deploys the ASTRA 5B communications satellite for SES of Luxembourg.
H0+33:06 Sylda 5 Separation
The Sylda 5 dual-payload adapter is jettisoned to expose the Amazonas 4A satellite for separation.
H0+34:37 Amazonas 4A Separation
The Ariane 5 rocket deploys the Amazonas 4A communications satellite for Hispasat of Madrid.

Data source: Arianespace/EADS Astrium

MISSION STATUS CENTER