Status
Failure
Cluster FM1 to FM4
Launch Time
Tue Jun 04, 1996 12:34 UTC
Tue Jun 04, 1996 12:34 UTC
The Ariane 5 program's first launch failed because of a programming error. Range safety officers elected to destroy the rocket during the launch, according to the Ariane 5 Flight 501 failure report.
Maiden flight of Ariane 5G. Flight V87, aka Ariane 501.
Rocket
Mission Details
Cluster
Cluster was a constellation of four European Space Agency spacecraft which were launched on the maiden flight of the Ariane 5 rocket, Flight 501, and subsequently lost when that rocket failed to achieve orbit.
Payloads: 4
Total Mass: 4,681.0 kg
Highly Elliptical Orbit
Location
ELA-3, Guiana Space Centre, French Guiana, France
Stats
1996
37th orbital launch attempt
European Space Agency
10th mission
1st mission of 1996
3rd failed mission
Ariane 5
1st mission
1st mission of 1996
1st failed mission