Ariane 5's fiery climb into the sky

BY STEPHEN CLARK
SPACEFLIGHT NOW

Posted: July 30, 2014


A clear sky over the European-run spaceport in French Guiana afforded a dazzling view of Tuesday night's launch of an Ariane 5 rocket on a resupply run to the International Space Station.

The powerful launcher was visible long after the rumble in its wake died down, appearing as a brilliant moving star among the celestial delights dotting the velvety black sky.

Launch occurred at 2347 GMT (7:47 p.m. EDT; 8:47 p.m. local time) from the Guiana Space Center in Kourou, French Guiana. Two solid-fueled boosters did the bulk of the propulsive work in the first two-and-a-half minutes of the flight.

The Ariane 5's hydrogen-fueled Vulcain 2 main engine and Aestus upper stage engine did the rest of the work to place the European Space Agency's fifth and final Automated Transfer Vehicle in orbit approximately 160 miles high.

The ATV is due for docking with the space station Aug. 12, delivering 7.3 tons of fuel, food, experiments and supplies to the outpost's six-person crew.

These photos show the launch from the space center's closest viewing site, known as Toucan, about 3 miles south from the Ariane 5's ELA-3 launch pad.

See our Mission Status Center for the latest news on the mission.

Photo credit: Stephen Clark/Spaceflight Now

Photo credit: Stephen Clark/Spaceflight Now

Photo credit: Stephen Clark/Spaceflight Now

Photo credit: Stephen Clark/Spaceflight Now

Photo credit: Stephen Clark/Spaceflight Now

Photo credit: Stephen Clark/Spaceflight Now

Photo credit: Stephen Clark/Spaceflight Now

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