VA261 – Spaceflight Now

August 18, 2025

Breaking News

[ August 17, 2025 ] Live coverage: 24 Starlink satellites to launch from California on 100th Falcon 9 rocket of the year Falcon 9
[ August 16, 2025 ] SpaceX schedules 10th test flight for Starship, details recent setbacks Mission Reports
[ August 14, 2025 ] SpaceX launches 28 Starlink satellites on Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral Falcon 9
[ August 13, 2025 ] ULA launches Vulcan rocket on first Space Force mission Mission Reports
[ August 12, 2025 ] Launch preview: ULA to launch first national security mission on a Vulcan rocket Mission Reports

Ending an era, Europe launches its final Ariane 5 rocket

July 6, 2023 William Harwood

Europe’s venerable Ariane 5 rocket blasted off on its 117th and final flight Wednesday, successfully boosting two communications satellites into orbit but leaving the European space program without a large satellite launcher of its own until a delayed successor comes on line.

Final Ariane 5 launch scheduled for July 4 after fixes to booster separation system

June 26, 2023 Spaceflight Now

Europe’s last Ariane 5 rocket is now scheduled to lift off July 4 after being grounded for more than two weeks due to a problem with the pyrotechnic systems required to jettison the launcher’s strap-on solid rocket boosters. Europe’s workhorse rocket is being retired after 27 years of service.