In 2000, a 100% success rate for launching Ariane spacecraft from the ESA spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana has been reached. Altogether 12 launches have taken place, four with Ariane-5 launchers and eight using Ariane-4.
 
Kourou is close to the equator at a latitude of 5.3 degrees North. This makes it ideally situated for the launch of commercial satellites into geostationary orbit at an altitude of 35,900 kilometres above the Earth’s equator. Launching near to the equator also works out cheaper, as the launchers ‘catch a ride’ with the Earth’s centrifugal force to enter orbit, thus saving fuel and increasing a satellite’s operational lifetime.
 
The ELA-2 complex, which entered into service in 1986, is used to launch Ariane-4 vehicles while Ariane-5 launches are sent into orbit from the ELA-3 complex, which came into operation in 1996. In addition to the launch-vehicle preparation zone and launch zone, ELA-3 also contains facilities to produce propellant for the Ariane-5 solid rocket boosters’ centre and aft segments.
 
Arianespace, the company responsible for launching commercial satellites from the Kourou spaceport, will start its 2001 launch schedule with Flight 137 in January. This will be the 102nd lift off of the Ariane-4 launcher developed by ESA.
 
IMAGE CAPTION:
[http://www.esa.int/export/esaCP/GGGHLYF80HC_index_1.html]
The ESA spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana. Kourou is situated close to the equator at a latitude of 5.3 degrees North. This makes it ideally situated for launching commercial satellites into geostationary orbit at an altitude of 35,900 kilometres above the Earth.
 
Related News:
 
* Ariane-4 scores its 56th straight success
  http://www.esa.int/export/esaCP/GGG0L1G3KCC_Expanding_0.html
* Ariane’s 136th launch a success!
  http://www.esa.int/export/esaCP/GGGXUNAUGEC_Expanding_0.html
* Guiana Space Centre
  http://www.esa.int/export/esaCP/GGGMGNF3KCC_Expanding_0.html
* Ariane 5 grows bigger
  http://www.esa.int/export/esaCP/GGGQWIF3KCC_Expanding_0.html
 
Related Links:
 
* ESA’s Launchers homepage
  http://industry.esa.int/launchers/
* Arianespace homepage
  http://www.arianespace.com
* Guiana Space Centre
  http://industry.esa.int/launchers/new_index_k.html